Accounting finance manager
Level 6 · DegreeLegal, finance and accounting 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
An accounting finance manager takes responsibility for a finance function within an organisation, overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance at a management level. Apprentices develop skills to lead a team, interpret financial data, and contribute to business decision-making and strategy. This degree-level apprenticeship can lead to roles such as Finance Manager, Financial Controller, or Head of Finance.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Management accounting and financial reporting techniques
Budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis methods
Leadership and people management within a finance team
Risk management and internal control frameworks
Financial technology tools and data-driven reporting
Stakeholder communication and presenting financial insights
Regulatory compliance and corporate governance principles
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports
Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process
Manage and develop a team of finance professionals
Analyse variances between budget and actual performance
Ensure the organisation meets statutory financial reporting deadlines
Liaise with external auditors and provide supporting information
Present financial performance to senior leaders and board members
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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