Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship

Course overview

This degree thinks beyond the numbers and makes sure your learning is applicable to real-life situations by giving you both theoretical and practical skills and knowledge.

This course will equip you with theoretical, digital, and interpersonal skills and knowledge that are transferable in any sector. It will teach you the knowledge and skills of managing operations using digital systems in order to realise any organisations strategic objectives.

If you want to progress into accounting roles, your employability will be enhanced with not only academic credit, but also opportunities to gain certificates for digital skills in using applications from Microsoft, Sage, Xero and others.

Upon completion of the programme, you will receive a degree from Aston University, an apprenticeship completion certificate, and a portfolio of digital skills.

The course is delivered by Aston Business School which is part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

Why study Accounting and Finance Management at Aston University?

Gold standard teaching

Aston Business School is among the top 1% worldwide, earning triple accreditations. Aston University also achieved the highest Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework.

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (iFATE, Appendix 1)

Aston University is the first registered End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship, standard ST1303

Digital Cloud Financial Skills Supported by ACCA 2024

Badge awarded for successfully completing Digital Cloud Financial Skills - supported by ACCA 2024

Graduates will be eligible for associate membership of IFA

You'll be awarded the grade of Intermediate Financial Accountant and use the designation of IFA after your name

Safe in our hands

Accounting and Finance was ranked 6th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – outcomes’ (Complete University Guide, 2023)

Course description

Accounting and Finance Management BSc (Hons)

Our Accounting and Finance Manager BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship at Aston University will provide you with the essential skills, in-depth knowledge and practical experience required to analyse financial data, make informed decisions and contribute to the financial health of organisations in today's complex business landscape.

What we will provide

You'll recieve mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals, enhancing their practical knowledge. By successfully completing this programme, we will award you with:

BSc in Accounting and Finance Management
An apprenticeship certificate

What you will provide
As an apprentice, you will be required to balance academic work, full-time employment, and on-the-job training. You will be expected to engage with teaching materials, online lectures, and in-person sessions. You will need to submit coursework and other assessments in a timely manner.

What skills we teach
You will develop proficiency in the core technical aspects of financial accounting, financial reporting, management accounting, performance management, audit, tax, ethics, sustainability and governance (ESG). In addition to technical and digital skills, you will learn a range of higher skills. This includes research, writing, criticality, risk management, problem solving, effective decision making, communication, presentation, team management, business acumen and business awareness.

Career prospects
Apprentices are doing this course work across all sectors, as Accounting and Finance is needed by organisations of every sector and size. Whether you work for a charity, an accounting firm, a council, a hospital or an SME, Aston University’s Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship will offer a degree that can enrich your working life and enhance your prospects.

How you will learn

The course is delivered through blended learning. The academic year has three teaching periods of ten weeks and each teaching period includes four on-campus study days that include lectures and interactive workshops at Aston University. This is also a chance to network with fellow learners from a wide range of organisations. Face-to-face study sessions give apprentices the opportunity to enrich their learning through discussion of current business issues.

The teaching of the application of theory gained on campus will be in weekly digital practical, and other structured sessions including webinars, exercises, and guest lectures. Online teaching is delivered through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, where candidates can engage with module content, participate in live seminars and communicate with their peers. There is also an extensive online library of content to support their studies. Live sessions typically occur outside of work time and are recorded to give apprentices the flexibility to balance studies with work and personal commitments.

What you will learn

You will study with the objective of achieving competence in every one of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSB) of the accounting and finance manager degree apprenticeship standard (IFATE ST1303). The KSB's are grouped into six themes: digital, financial accounting, management accounting, compliance, human resource management, risk and financial management.

Learn more about the Accounting Apprenticeship Landscape

What you will learn is the tactical implementation of technical and digital skills in order to manage operations (Level 4) and support the realisation of organisational strategy (Level 7).

The Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship bridges the gap between operational and strategic. It helps learners that have completed the operational Level 4 to take their career to the next level.

Modern managers must have technical, digital, and interpersonal skills in balance in order to manager operational teams successfully. This Degree Apprenticeship has been designed in partnership with trailblazers to develop the next generation of accounting and finance manager. Apprentices will study part-time while gaining real-world experience.

Facilities

At Aston University, apprentices enjoy full access to all the facilities available to regular students. This inclusive approach ensures that apprentices can take advantage of the university's library, labs, study spaces, cafes and more. By providing equal access to these facilities, Aston University supports apprentices in their educational journey, enabling them to thrive in both academic and practical aspects of their chosen fields.

Course objectives

Demonstrate technical and technological competence in the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of an accounting and finance manager
Apply accounting and finance knowledge, skills and behaviours to contribute to decision-making for the sustainable management of the business and the realisation of strategy
Apply critical analysis, evaluation, and appropriate reflection towards their own work and that of others
Manage accounting and finance operations, that comply with all relevant legal and ethical frameworks, using advanced digital skills to locate, extract, analyse and evaluate data from multiple sources
Manage operational teams with emotional intelligence in concert with advanced technical and digital skills, mindfully implementing technology
Work effectively as independent, proactive, self-managed learners to meet deadlines and successfully complete tasks
Take an ethical approach to business situations, promoting social responsibility and cultural sensitivity.

Modules

Level 5 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Intermediate Financial Reporting	30
Intermediate Management Accounting	30
Business and Financial Management	30
Audit and Assurance	15
Personal Tax	15
Total	120

Level 5 outcomes

On successful completion of Level 5, you will be able to:

Utilise core theories of accounting and management to address problematic issues in given scenarios
Apply accounting techniques and concepts to complex scenarios to determine possible answers and select the most appropriate solution
Make sound managerial recommendations by performing quantitative and qualitative analysis and interpreting data from a range of sources
Obtain data from a variety of sources to perform analysis and demonstrate a logical flow to link the analysis and the conclusion reached
Evaluate and critically analyse academic theory, management and professional practice and reach a supported conclusion
Communicate concepts and the results of quantitative and qualitative analysis in a manner appropriate to the task and audience
Operate effectively as part of a team to arrive at and effectively communicate sound decisions
Take responsibility for individual academic and professional development
Apply an ethical and culturally sensitive approach to business problems and challenges.

Level 6 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Financial Reporting	30
Strategic Management Accounting	30
Financial Management and Strategy	15
Business Tax	15
End Point Assessment (EPA)	30
Total	120

Level 6 outcomes

On successful completion of Level 6, you will be able to:

Integrate theories, concepts and techniques to explore accounting and managerial issues in a broad range of multifaceted scenarios
Apply accounting techniques and concepts to evaluate a range of challenging organisational situations in order to solve complex problems
Justify appropriate managerial resolutions based on sound and integrated evaluation of financial and non-financial information
Apply professional scepticism to recognise situations where data should be challenged and where information provided is incomplete or technically incorrect
Construct arguments that use appropriate theory and the results of relevant analysis and evaluation, synthesise all sides of an argument and come to a conclusion
Prepare and present clear, concise and effective communications in respect of complex situations for a range of internal and external stakeholders
Evaluate ethical dilemmas using an appropriate framework and justify a valid response
Investigate and deploy technology for optimum strategic management of internal and external stakeholder relationships. Appreciating the strategic importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations
Manage a FinTech implementation project. Present investigation, problem-solving, experimentation, and deployment, effectively to non-specialists
Defend and critically reflect in a professional discussion based on evidence of learning, growth, and performance organised into a portfolio.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are set by the hiring business and not Aston University so they vary between organisations. Apprentices are selected based on their applications, an interview and an assessment process which is tailored to your apprenticeship position.

Indicative entry requirements are given below, but please note that each employer may set their own criteria.

Entry will be via recognised prior learning of 120 credits by attaining the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 4 qualification and/or the Level 4 Accounting Technician apprenticeship (accounting route of standard ST0003) for which the AAT is the End Point Assessment Organisation.

Have a minimum of Grade C/4 in GCSE Mathematics and English

Apprentices must also meet the following criteria:
• Be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the degree content
• Be a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least three years prior to starting the course.

Assessment

Learners will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, portfolios, projects, presentations, and practical assessments. In the final year, apprentices will complete a final project, requiring them to apply all the theory and skills gained throughout the apprenticeship.

The portfolio

Throughout the programme apprentices will curate a personal and professional development portfolio. The purpose of the portfolio is to showcase the skills, knowledge and behaviours develop through the programme and how the apprentices has applied them to their role in the organisation.Every apprentice is allocated an apprentice coach who will support their learning and skills development.

The End Point Assessment

The final stage of the apprenticeship is the end point assessment. The apprentice will meet with an independent assessor to discuss their final project and the impact it had on their organisation. They will also review their development journey and how their portfolio has documented it. Finally, there will be a short interview allowing the candidate time to share how the programme has helped them to grow and develop. After the interview, based both on the apprentice’s performance and portfolio, the assessor will award the apprentice either a fail, pass, merit or distinction for the apprenticeship.

Course fees

You will not have to pay tuition fees as a Degree Apprenticeships, as the costs are met by the UK government and your employer*. In addition to your fees being paid, you will also earn a salary while you study, so there is no need to apply for Student Finance. The funding band for this Degree Apprenticeship is £27,000. This is the full cost of your apprenticeship which will be paid for using your employer's apprenticeship levy.

*Employers may require students to pay the fees for resits.

Career prospects

Apprentices are doing this course work across all sectors, as Accounting and Finance is needed by organisations of every sector and size. Whether you work for a charity, an accounting firm, a council, a hospital or an SME, Aston University’s Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship will offer a degree that can enrich your working life and enhance your prospects.

Frequently asked questions

Why study Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship?

If you are interested in a career in either an accounting or a more broadly focused management role, or want a career leading a business or not-for-profit organisation, this course will equip you with business-critical skills and knowledge that are transferable in any sector.

If you want to progress into accounting roles, your accreditation exemptions mean that you will graduate with a proportion of the qualification already achieved. Accounting and finance knowledge and expertise provides you with significant analytical, problem-solving transferable skills that are valuable in all manner of business disciplines.

What accreditation will you earn from this programme?

The Institution of Financial Accountants (IFA) is an internationally recognised professional accountancy membership body. Aston University is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) the global accounting standard-setter and regulator. Learners who have successfully graduated the Level 6 Accounting Finance Manager Apprenticeship will be eligible for membership if the IFA and be awarded the grade of Intermediate Financial Accountant and be able to use the designation IFA after their name.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email apprenticeships@aston.ac.uk. Be sure to include your name, your employer, and the programme you are inquiring about.