Professional Services Higher Level Apprenticeships

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1 Professional Services Information Sheet Professional Services Higher Level Apprenticeships New for August 2012 Level 4 Apprenticeships deliver real returns to your business Technical ability is essential to a career in the professional services as are wider business skills such as effective communication, managing performance and commercial awareness. Professional Services Apprenticeships have been developed by employers to combine both. This Apprenticeship is ideal for any student embarking on a career in the professional services with entry routes into Audit or Tax. With a mix of exam training and on-the-job skills development, your learner will finish the Apprenticeship with the technical knowledge and wider business skills to make a real difference to your business performance. Through gaining this qualification, your learner will: Gain a Professional Qualification covering Accountancy/Tax fundamentals Learn core Technical Skills applying employer methodologies and approaches to Audit/Tax Demonstrate effective Communication Skills including planning communication activities, writing clear and concise communications, presenting to different audiences Appreciate the importance of Managing Own Performance including understanding the purpose of feedback, developing and using a learning plan, how to work as part of a team Develop wider Business and Commercial Awareness Skills including setting up effective meetings, internal financial management, understanding a client s business What are the entry requirements? There are no specific entry requirements but learners should be in paid employment, working at least 30 hours in a job role relevant to the Apprenticeship they wish to take. How will the qualification be assessed? The ATT/CFAB qualifications are assessed through external exams and are made up of key elements applicable to an Audit/Tax based role. The core technical and business skills are assessed through work-based assessment demonstrated on-the-job by learners. Kaplan can provide technical training using a combination of one-to-one assessor support and online learning modules if needed to top-up a student s knowledge and skills level. We work with each learner to develop an individual learning plan identifying where and when evidence can be demonstrated. This evidence is added to an E-Portfolio system which is designed to create a portfolio of work-based evidence throughout the qualification. A formal progress review will be carried out by an assessor within the workplace every weeks with you and your learner to check on their development, progress and to ensure success. Support from Kaplan Our specialist assessors, dedicated support staff and expert tutors are always available to support you and your learner from sign up right through to completion. How long does the qualification take? Subject to the 12 month minimum duration for funded Apprenticeships, there are no restrictions so students are able to study at their own pace. As a guide, we can expect most learners to take at least 18 months to complete the Audit pathway/2 years to complete the Tax pathway. Employers are able to set their own entry requirements should you wish.

2 What will my learner get at the end of the qualification? On completion, your learner will be awarded a Higher Level Apprenticeship certificate in Professional Services. Audit students will also receive the CFAB qualification and can go on to complete the ICAEW qualification with employer support. Progression Successful completion of the Tax Higher Level Apprenticeship will grant your learner valuable exemptions from the exams of CTA. Successful completion of the Audit Higher Level Apprenticeship will grant your learner valuable exemptions from the exams of ICAEW/ACCA. This can significantly reduce the time it takes to become fully qualified. Tax students will receive the ATT qualification so will receive the following letters after their name MATT. Level 4 Qualification Overview & Unit Structure Please note that the following is based on the draft Apprenticeship consultation document and is subject to change To achieve the L4 Higher Level Apprenticeship, learners will need to complete the professional qualification and demonstrate competency in the core Technical and Business skills detailed in the framework. CFAB (all assessed through e-assessment) ATT Accounting Assurance Principles of Taxation Management Information Business and Finance Law Business Taxation and Accounting Principles written exam Personal Taxation written exam Law e-assessment Professional Responsibilities & Ethics e-assessment One optional paper (written exam): Corporate Taxation IHT Trusts & Estates VAT Apprenticeship funding available * Technical Skills Audit Apply employer s audit methodology Explain employer s audit methodology Identify the accounting systems under review and record them clearly on appropriate working papers Correctly identify the control framework Accurately assess risks associated with the accounting system and its controls Correctly record significant weaknesses in control Identify account balances to be verified and the associated risks Select an appropriate sample for testing Select or devise appropriate tests in accordance with the auditing principles and agree them with the auditing supervisor Provide clear information and recommendations for the proposed audit plan and submit it to the appropriate person for consideration Conduct tests correctly and as specified in the audit plan, properly record test results and draw valid conclusions from them Establish the existence, completeness, ownership, valuation and description of assets and liabilities and gather appropriate evidence to support these findings Identify all matters of an unusual nature and refer them promptly to the audit supervisor Identify and record material and significant errors, deficiencies or other variations from standard and report them to the audit supervisor Prepare and submit clear and concise draft reports illustrating constructive and practicable recommendations in line with organisational procedures Agree your preliminary conclusions and recommendations with the audit supervisor Deep dive in area(s) of work Explain principles underlying area(s) of work Identify and agree with line manager own areas for skills development for working effectively in area(s) of work Understand how area(s) of work fits in with wider audit and assurance procedures Regulatory updates/research Be aware of need to remain up to date in technical knowledge Research regulatory/compliance updates

3 Technical Skills Tax Apply Employer s Methodologies/Approaches in Tax Analyse returns, accounts, computations appraising risk as appropriate Understand the commercial factors influencing a business s tax compliance Be able to carry out quality compliance checks using an investigative approach and working issues to resolution to minimise delay Be able to undertake appropriate follow up action to promote future compliance Be able to liaise and co-ordinate with HMRC specialists Be able to contribute to the development of compliance strategy and processes Participate in cross-functional activities requiring application of specialist knowledge Review risk assessments carried out by others into tax affairs, sharing and discussing appraised risk with senior team members Be able to use information received in a timely manner to minimise delays in progressing compliance checks Deep dive in area(s) of work Explain principles underlying specialist area(s) of work Identify and agree with line manager own areas for skills development for working effectively in area(s) of work Understand how area(s) of work fits in with wider organisation Improve technical knowledge and understanding of area(s) of work Regulatory updates/research Be aware of need to remain up to date in technical knowledge Research professional body guidelines Research regulatory instruments Research HMRC guidelines Communication Skills Business Communication Planning communication activities Identify the purpose, audience and outcomes Decide on the level of formality Decide on the style and method of communication Written Communication Identify and use different types of communication (e.g. , letter, report etc) Identify sources of information Evaluate information to extract points Present information using a format, layout, and style suited to the situation Use language that meets differing purposes, objectives and audience Organise information so that it is clear and accurate Use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation, and plain English Proof read/check and make amendments Produce written communications to meet deadlines Keep a file copy of written communications sent Verbal communication Present information and ideas so that they are clear, accurate, convincing and/or persuasive Lead discussion to achieve objectives Adapt verbal contributions to discussions to suit audience, purpose and situation Use body language and tone appropriately Actively listen to information given by other people Ask relevant questions to clarify own understanding Make relevant, well-argued responses Give others opportunities to verbally contribute ideas and opinions Summarise verbal communication

4 Communication Skills Presentation Skills Prepare presentations/briefings (internal/external) Understand the purpose of preparing for and evaluating a presentation/briefings (internal/external) Understand the techniques used in enhancing a presentation/briefing (internal/external) Be able to prepare for delivery of a presentation/briefing (internal/external) Deliver presentations/briefings (internal/external) Be able to deliver a presentation/briefing (internal/external) Be able to evaluate a presentation/briefing (internal/external) Managing Own Performance Evaluate and improve performance Understand how to evaluate own performance Purpose and benefits of continuously improving work Purpose and benefits of encouraging and accepting feedback from others Ways of evaluating own work How learning and development can improve own work, benefit organisations, and further own career Possible career progression routes and development opportunities Evaluate and improve performance Use feedback from others Encourage and accept feedback from others Make recommendations to improve work performance Complete tasks using recommended new ways of working Evaluate completed work Evaluate changes made for improvements and effectiveness Evaluate and improve performance Develop and use a learning plan Evaluate own performance, using feedback from others and identify where further learning and development will improve own work Make recommendations and develop a learning plan to improve own work performance Implement a learning plan Review and evaluate progress against learning plan Time Management Set SMART objectives for own workload, listed in order of priority and establish time scales for achievement Use an established time management technique to plan achievement of objectives Identify constraining or limiting time factors Explain monitoring techniques Manage expectations Team Work Understand the importance of teams Identify the factors that can contribute to a team s success and the roles/responsibilities in a team Describe working relationships in teams and the personal skills and behaviours required for effective team working Be able to contribute effectively as a team member by using appropriate skills and behaviour when working as part of a team Assess own contribution towards achieving team goals Review personal skills and their suitability for teamwork and plan improvement

5 Business Skills Effective meetings Set up and confirm attendance, room bookings, catering Prepare for meeting, take minutes, monitor actions Run smaller, operational level meetings or break outs Commercial Awareness Employer s business - articulate how employer makes money, understand organisational structure, competitive landscape of professional services industry Contractual obligations - show understanding of client s role, responsibilities and work context, contract and manage expectations Client s business - articulate how client makes money, client s organisational structure and terminology, understand how team adds value to client Internal Financial Management Understand and explain the basic principles of job costing, profitability, billing and cash collection Complete timesheets and expenses in line with employer s requirement Manage own work against budget Understand client s policies Explain the data and security policies when working away from the office Explain the procedure in respect of personal undertakings and requirements to comply with client policies Describe project requirements Identify the project requirements for working on client site and describe to clients (e.g. Rooms, IT availability) List the do s and don t s of working at clients to ensure acceptable levels of risk and quality IT Skills Develop and use basic spreadsheets (Excel) Use of simple calculation functions; construct charts and tables Send and receive s and calendar invites Develop basic presentations (Powerpoint) Use text boxes, images, templates and layout tools to create a professional result Use in-house tools, software packages or databases as appropriate Develop documents including letters and reports (Word) The Apprenticeship Process Qualification Written exams/e-assessment Skills Observation, discussions, witness testimony, personal statements, work products submitted to online portfolio Functional Skills (if not exempt) Exam in Maths and English, Observed presentation ERR Workbook PLTS Embedded in framework