Accounting Technician

What is the work like?

As an accounting technician, it would be your job to keep accurate financial accounts for all types of business, and to assist qualified accountants.

In larger companies, you would usually work as part of an accounts team. In a small business, you may be the only person trained to deal with finance matters like wages and invoices. In either case, your typical duties would include:

• processing and paying invoices
• recording receipts and payments
• preparing and checking ledger balances and other monthly and yearly accounts
• completing and submitting tax returns
• monitoring company expenses
• using computerised accounting systems.

With experience, you would often take on management responsibilities and more complex tasks, such as:

• drafting financial reports
• planning and budget control
• assisting qualified accountants with audits.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

To work as an accounting technician, you should feel confident with maths and using computers. The qualifications that employers ask for can vary, although many will prefer you to have at least four GCSEs (A-C) including maths, or a similar level of qualification.

You will find it helpful to have previous experience of office work. Temporary work ('temping') can be a good way of getting experience that may lead to a permanent job. Computer experience is also useful, particularly in using spreadsheet and database packages like Microsoft Excel and Access.

You would often start as an accounts clerk doing basic accounting duties in a company. You could then take work-based training or a part-time college course to qualify as a technician with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) scheme.

You may be able to miss out some parts of AAT or CAT training if you already have one of the following:

• AS or A Level in Accounting
• previous relevant work experience in accounting
• an entry-level bookkeeping qualification (see the Accounts Clerk profile).

You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

What further training and development can I do?

Your training is normally a mixture of learning on the job and study for qualifications from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
You can take the AAT Accounting qualification in one of two ways – the NVQ route or the Diploma route.

If you are employed in an accounting role, you can take work-based training and assessments to achieve NVQs in Accounting. This route has three stages:

• NVQ Level 2 (Foundation)
• Level 3 (Intermediate)
• Level 4 (Technician).

If you do not yet work in accounting or if you prefer to take an exam-based route, you can choose the Diploma pathway to the AAT Accounting Qualification. The Diploma also has three stages:

• Certificate (Foundation)
• Advanced Certificate (Intermediate)
• Diploma (Technician).

You will be assessed for the Diploma by exams and simulated skills tests, instead of providing practical evidence from the workplace.

You can study for the AAT Accounting Qualification full- or part-time at colleges or training centres, or in the workplace.

For full membership of the AAT, you must pass all three stages of the qualification, and have at least a year’s approved work experience. You can find more details on the AAT's website.

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
The ACCA Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Scheme has three stages:

• CAT Introductory Level
• CAT Intermediate Level
• CAT Advanced Level.

To qualify under the CAT Scheme, you must pass exams and keep a training record of at least one year's practical accounting experience. You can study full- or part-time at colleges and training centres, by distance learning or online. Please see the ACCA's website for full details.

Once you are fully qualified with AAT or ACCA, you could continue to study to become an accountant. Your accounting technician qualifications mean that you can usually bypass the first stage of professional exams. For example, you could start with Part 2 of the ACCA’s Chartered Certified Accountant Scheme, instead of Part 1. See the Private Practice Accountant profile for more information.

Where can I go for more information?

51 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HQ
Tel: 0845 257 3772

140 Aldersgate Street
London
EC1A 4HY
Tel: 0845 863 0800

2 Central Quay
89 Hydepark Street
Glasgow
G3 8DT
Tel: 0141 582 2000

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form

Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice

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