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Higher Apprenticeship in Accountancy

Laura Baren

Higher Apprenticeship in Accountancy

How did you get onto the apprenticeship?

Laura was at college undertaking accountancy qualifications having undertaken and achieved both level 2 and level 3 AAT qualifications. Laura was looking for a job in accountancy and was struggling to find one as despite having the qualifications required she didn't have the workplace experience that was being asked for in job overviews.

Information about the Apprenticeship opportunity at York Hospital was sent to York College which is where Laura found out about the opportunity. She applied for the accountancy apprenticeship through the NHS Jobs website and was successful in gaining one of the two jobs to undertake a higher apprenticeship.

Laura's comments..... " I thought the NHS only trained clinical people and I didn't know non clinical apprenticeships were offered. I wouldn't have thought to look on the NHS Jobs website if my tutor hadn't told me of the accountancy apprenticeships at York hospital".

What made you choose accountancy?

Laura was always really good at maths and after school worked for Barclays bank in a financial-oriented role. She had also undertaken some work experience in an accountancy firm whilst at school. This helped Laura to realise that she still wanted to do accountancy and led her to enrol on an accountancy course at College.

What do you do ?

The work Laura does is varied. Like any other big organisation there are budgets that have to be managed. Laura works as part of a team who have 4 departments to oversee. She is involved in financial activities which include forecasting, generating spreadsheets, monthly release and checking of budgets and generating accruals.

Laura works full time at the Trust and as part of the apprenticeship attends college 1 day week. Laura is also regularly observed and assessed in the workplace.

As the accountancy apprenticeship is recognised by the accountancy professional body as a preferred route to becoming a qualified accountant there are professional exams that have to be taken .

Laura's advice for individuals interested in undertaking an accountancy apprenticeship

"When I was at school I thought I would have to go to university. This is a much more practical option and the learning on the job suits me. Doing the apprenticeship is definitely worth it as it is providing me with the experience needed to get a job as a fully qualified accountant in the future. Although the apprentice wage is minimal I am in some ways better off than friends I have who have been to University as even though they have got their degrees they are struggling to find jobs".

Looking down a long bright hospital corridor with treatment rooms on the left and windows on the right. At the bottom of the corridor is one member of staff in a blue nursing uniform

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