Accounting technician

Accounting technicians assist accountants by collecting, checking and analysing financial information on their behalf. You could be working in a public practice, in industry or in the public sector.

Also known as:

• Finance technician

Work activities

As an accounting technician, you will be assisting accountants by collecting, checking and analysing financial information and preparing reports. If you work in public practice, then you will be helping to prepare and audit accounts by examining a client’s records, accounts and systems. You will have to closely check things like expense claims, cash receipts or stock records to find out whether or not accounting records are being properly maintained. In industry and commerce, you will work for one particular company, compiling financial accounts, carrying out internal audits, credit control, costing and budgeting. In a small company, you could be in sole charge of the day-to-day accounts. In a larger organisation, teams of technicians are likely to specialise in one aspect of accounts work. In the public sector, you will be working for a local authority or other type of public body. Your main roles will include checking public accounts and financial records, collecting debts, calculating salaries and collecting financial information for management accountants.

Personal qualities and skills

As an accounting technician, you should:

• Be able to gather and study information.
• Be capable of using your initiative.
• Have IT skills.

The following future skills shortages have been identified for this industry:

• IT skills.
• Business skills.
• Literacy and numeracy skills.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for accounting technicians vary, depending on the employer, role and responsibilities. The pay rates given are approximate. Most people in this career earn from around £17,000 per year, rising to as much as £34,000 with experience and service. You may be able to boost your earnings potential by training further as an accountant.

Technicians usually work 37-39 hours, Monday to Friday. However, they might need to work late or at weekends at peak times − at the end of the financial year, for example.

Employers in the private sector are accountancy practices (known as public practices), and firms engaged in industry and commerce. Employers in the public sector include local and central government departments, the NHS and charities.

Opportunities occur for qualified technicians to become self-employed.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on job boards and employers’ websites, on the Government’s Find a Job service.

ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) has a careers hub which lists training vacancies. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has a dedicated careers portal, ACCA Careers.

Entry routes and training

Most people enter this career by applying for a trainee post with an employer. Employers expect you to have an interest in accounting along with good GCSEs and/or A-levels (at least grade C), including English and maths. Employers look for good IT skills as well.

An alternative to entering a training post through direct application is to look for an apprenticeship. Some employers offer the level 4 professional accounting or taxation technician higher apprenticeship. On this apprenticeship, you will train in work with an employer, while working towards a level 4 qualification.

Whether or not you do an apprenticeship, you will most likely train on-the-job, while studying part-time for a qualification such as the following:

• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) level 2 certificate in accounting.
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) introductory certificate in financial and management accounting.
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) ACA level 4 accounting technician.

To become a fully qualified accounting technician, you must also have at least one year’s work experience in accounting. This can be completed in any size or type of business, and in any combination of sectors, before, during or after completing the exams.

After successfully completing your qualification, accounting technicians are eligible to progress to the accountancy qualifications of one of the following sponsoring bodies:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW).
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

Qualifications

Some employers expect trainees to have a minimum of five GCSEs at grades 9-4 and two A-levels.

To do a higher apprenticeship, you will need two A-levels plus GCSEs in English and maths.

Alternatives to A-levels include:

• Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you have relevant skills and experience in accountancy or finance, you can apply for exemptions from part of the AAT or CAT training. Many colleges of further education are accredited to offer accounting technician courses at all levels on a part-time basis, either during the day, in the evening or at weekends. There is also a wide range of private training providers who offer both AAT and CAT courses.

Distance learning is available for all levels of the AAT and CAT qualifications.

Related careers

• Accountant
• Accounts assistant
• Agricultural administrator
• Auditor
• Credit controller