Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship


Institution code	H36
Start date
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
A level GCSE
BBC or equivalent GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above

Additional requirements

Please note, Level 4 AAT qualified applicants will be exempt from the first year of the course.

A level	GCSE
BBC or equivalent	GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above

About the course

You’ll be taught by academics and researchers alongside innovative industry specialists with years of professional accounting experience.

Hertfordshire Business School (HBS) is proud of our strong relationships with professional bodies, our alumni network and business connections. Benefit from our collaborations as you learn and gain from their industry experience and stories, meet entrepreneurs-in-residence, business ambassadors and industry leaders at networking events or in guest lectures through our Business Academy.

We are a caring and friendly university, and you’ll receive excellent support from a staff community team to help you with any academic and personal challenges

Why choose this course?

The purpose of the accounting finance manager apprenticeship is to support financial management professionals in your career development and enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to lead and support financial operations in your business.

The structure of the apprenticeship includes a blended delivery incorporating a flexible online curriculum, a face-to-face learning community and dedicated support for work-based learning. You won’t just gain new academic knowledge but will also be able to practically apply new real-world skills in your workplace. Throughout this journey you will develop the confidence and capabilities to enhance your career prospects whilst adding value to an organisation. Completing the course may provide you with exemptions from professional accounting body examinations, creating a smooth progression pathway for your career.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Fundamentals Of Financial Accounting - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
Learners will be introduced to financial accounting and apply the principles to recording transactions, adjusting financial records and preparing non-complex financial statements.
Accounting Data And Systems - DA	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce students to accounting software and spreadsheets used in organisational environments and the latest guidance on secure data management to satisfy the requirements of the Data Commissioner and GDPR. Students will learn how to use an accounting software package for recording transactions, producing and interpreting operational, management and financial reports. Students will also develop their spreadsheet skills, modelling abilities, data manipulation and data visualisation best practice methodologies and techniques and interpret the results.
Fundamentals Of Management Accounting - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces key elements of management accounting to support decision-making. It covers the nature and purpose of management information, data analysis techniques, cost accounting, budgeting, standard costing, and variance analysis for business planning and control. It concludes with measuring and monitoring organisational performance. Content may include: Role of a management Accountant Cost Classification Marginal and absorption costing Functional and cash budgets Standard costing and Variance analysis Cost volume profit analysis (CVP)
Professional and communication skills - DA	15 Credits	Compulsory
Effective communication is essential in everyday interactions. This module focuses on enhancing communication skills for accounting and finance professionals across various formats, including written, oral, digital, and presentations. It emphasises the significance of teamwork and explores strategies to promote relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Law, Ethics And HR - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students will understand the basics of the English legal system, contract law, tort of negligence, company law as well as the interaction between the law, business issues and ethics. Students will be able to apply legal and ethical issues to business problems and identify the impact of law on businesses and professionals. Students will learn the importance of Human Resource Management (HRM) and how to apply HRM tools and techniques for both reducing operational risks and as a strategic tool for business development.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Financial Reporting - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students will prepare both single entity and consolidated financial statements (or extracts) in line with international accounting standards. These could include statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, statement of financial position and statement of cash flows. Students will explore accounting standards and learn how to apply these to different scenarios. Students will analyse the financial statements using ratios and other techniques and be able to communicate their findings effectively.
Management accounting - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will reinforce and build on prior student knowledge and understanding of management accounting tools and techniques used in assisting management decision-making and the improvement of business performance. Indicative content may include: Activity¬-based costing (ABC), Relevant cost analysis, Standard costing, Budgetary and forecasting systems and techniques, Variance analysis, Cash flow forecasting, Cost volume profit analysis (CVP), Pricing decisions, Performance management and evaluation.
Governance, Controls and Assurance - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
The module will begin by establishing the importance of effective corporate governance and will move on to an examination of the current roles of the main parties involved. It will consider how business risks can affect It will then go on to provide an insight into the modern audit process and to develop knowledge and understanding of the audit process and its application in the context of the professional regulatory framework. It will conclude with a look at how corporate governance and audit may develop in the future.
Financial Management - DA	30 Credits	Optional
This module will cover the theory and application of the principles of finance. It will consider topics such as: The context and objectives of the corporation, The nature and role of financial markets and instruments, Sources of business finance, Cost of capital and capital structure, Treasury and working capital management, Investment appraisal techniques, Mergers and acquisitions and valuation of companies, Risk and return and rewarding investors, Dividend policy and the distribution decision.
Financial Management (EX) - DA	30 Credits	Optional
This module will cover the theory and application of the principles of finance. It will consider topics such as: The context and objectives of the corporation, The nature and role of financial markets and instruments, Sources of business finance, Cost of capital and capital structure, Treasury and working capital management, Investment appraisal techniques, Mergers and acquisitions and valuation of companies, Risk and return and rewarding investors, Dividend policy and the distribution decision.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Taxation - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students will understand the basic objective of taxation, recognise ethical issues arising while performing tax work and be able to calculate various taxes owed by or to individuals and companies.
Accounting and Financial Management Extended Project - DA	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will prepare students for a professional discussion, during which an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours learned in the course. Answers will be evidenced and illustrated with a portfolio of evidence.
Business Strategy - DA	15 Credits	Optional
This module will introduce students to the implantation of strategic direction for an organisation. Students will consider various strategic options that will meet organisational objectives and will then proceed later in the module to evaluate and monitor these chosen strategies in line with achievement of organisational objectives. Throughout the module, students will consider various stakeholders and the ethical and sustainability implications of different organisational strategies.
Sustainability in accounting - DA	15 Credits	Optional
This module will introduce students to sustainability and its relevance to the accounting profession. Students will learn about the pillars of sustainability and the current regulation and guidance. This module encourages students to think about how they can develop and promote sustainable practices within their own organisation.
Data Visualisation for Accounting - DA	15 Credits	Optional
Students will look at how to understand and use large data sets in order to aid decision making. The need to be able explore and manipulate data quickly will be covered by looking at trends, patterns, correlations and indicators of causation. As future finance and accounting professionals, students will learn how to provide decision makers with an insight into how this analysis and visualisations can be used to improve decision making, providing clarity for decision makers and key stakeholders.
Advanced Financial Management - DA	15 Credits	Optional
The module deepens students' prior knowledge and understanding of management accounting tools and techniques used in assisting management decision-making and the improvement of business performance, through focussing on the role of management accounting in the Strategic Planning process. Indicative content may include: The Strategic Planning process. Strategic Analysis, including Customer Profitability Analysis and Competitor Analysis. Performance measurement, management and evaluation techniques, e.g. Balanced Scorecard Decision making tools, e.g. pricing decisions Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision making.
Advanced Financial Reporting - DA	15 Credits	Optional
Students will build upon their knowledge from Financial Reporting and expand their knowledge of the IFRS accounting standards and consolidation accounting. Students will be able to explain the appropriate accounting treatment for different scenarios. Students will explore how technology can be used to assist with the preparation of financial statements.
Advanced Management Accounting - DA	15 Credits	Optional
The module deepens students' prior knowledge and understanding of management accounting tools and techniques used in assisting management decision-making and the improvement of business performance, through focussing on the role of management accounting in the Strategic Planning process. Indicative content may include: The Strategic Planning process. Strategic Analysis, including Customer Profitability Analysis and Competitor Analysis. Performance measurement, management and evaluation techniques, e.g. Balanced Scorecard Decision making tools, e.g. pricing decisions Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision making.

Professional Accreditations

Proposed recognition via exemptions from ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA.

Careers

Financial management skills are essential across every organisation and industry. Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll feel confident in being responsible for the accounting and finance function and managing day-to-day operations in your organisation.

This course is the perfect stepping stone into a higher-level finance role; you will gain operational management skills and be able to lead a team of accounts, finance and tax technicians.

The University’s careers service provides a range of support to help apprentices develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our careers pages for more information.

What job can I get?

Your role could be a:

accounting and finance manager;
financial accountant;
financial controller;
systems accountant;
credit controller;
reporting accountant.

The broad purpose of the course is to equip students to manage and implement accounting, finance systems and processes that support decision-making in-line with strategy by applying technical and technological knowledge and skills to all aspects of accounting and finance within an organisation.

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management - Full Time, Semester A	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

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