AAT BECOMES APPROVED APPRENTICE ASSESSMENT ORGANISATION

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) is pleased to announce it has been approved as an Apprentice Assessment Organisation (AAO) for the Accounting Trailblazer Apprenticeships, a Government initiative designed to give employers the opportunity to take the lead in developing apprenticeship standards to meet their needs.

This announcement means that AAT will deliver the End Point Assessments (EPAs) for the apprenticeships, allowing apprentices to demonstrate their competence. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to gain accounting qualifications from AAT, alongside their apprenticeship to further enhance their technical knowledge.

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of AAT, said: “Given the acceleration of emerging technologies impacting the role of accountants, such as cloud computing and predictive software, the skillsets accountants need are changing.

“Trailblazer apprenticeships can help provide employers access to the evolving talent they need to develop and grow. With the future of accountancy at the very heart of AAT’s professional development programmes we’re proud to be in a position to be able to help meet this demand, whilst facilitating and encouraging social mobility.”

AAT has been integral to the development of the new style apprenticeships for both the Professional Accounting Technician and the Assistant Accountant. They are already attracting a lot of interest from employers, and delivery has started on behalf of a variety of employers, including KPMG who are using AAT qualifications as part of the on-programme learning for Trailblazers. Michael Walby, KPMG’s Director of Professional Qualification Training understands the importance of creating an ‘all-rounder’ to support their clients changing needs.

Kathryn Roberts, Senior Manager of KPMG360^o says: “Our 360^o Apprenticeship programme gives apprentices the opportunity to gain a really diverse range of experience. When this is coupled with the knowledge they get from studying the AAT Accounting Qualifications, the apprentices are well equipped to tackle the breadth of the modern accounting industry.”  

Suzie Webb, Director of Education and Development at AAT, said: “The creation of the Accounting Trailblazer Apprenticeships will help to provide a clear route for career progression.  AAT is pleased to have the opportunity to provide End Point Assessments for the Trailblazer accountancy standards, and to facilitate access to professional membership.”

A new role of Independent Assessor has been created by AAT to assess key components of EPAs and AAT would therefore like to hear from suitably qualified individuals, with relevant business and assessment skills, who might be interested in getting involved in this capacity.  Visit the IA recruitment page (aat.org.uk/apprenticeship-assessor) for further details.

Specifications and other materials are also being developed in readiness for the first EPAs in September 2017, and AAT will soon be inviting existing AAT training providers and other organisations to tell us if they would like to be approved as AAT End point Assessment Centres.  Read our dedicated Trailblazer apprenticeship webpages (aat.org.uk/trailblazer) for more information.