accounting technician

The work

Accounting technicians keep accurate financial accounts for all types of businesses. They also prepare and analyse financial information to help qualified accountants.

In a small business, the accounting technician may be the only person trained to deal with invoices and wages. In a larger company they may work as part of an accounts team and specialise in certain tasks. This means the work can vary according to the level of responsibility and size of team, but duties will usually include:

• processing and paying invoices
• recording receipts and payments
• preparing and checking ledger balances and other monthly and annual accounts
• completing and submitting tax returns
• monitoring company expenses.

• drafting financial reports
• planning and budget control
• helping accountants with audits.

Most organisations use computerised accounting systems with a variety of spreadsheets, databases and specialised software.

Hours and Environment

Most accounting technicians work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They may need to work extra hours at busy times. Flexi-time, part-time work and job sharing are widely available. Temporary work is often available.

Accounting technicians are usually office-based, but may sometimes visit clients’ businesses with an accountant when helping with audits.

Skills and Interests

To be an accounting technician you should:

• be comfortable working with numbers
• have good spoken and written communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills
• be interested in business and finance
• be able to plan and organise your own workload
• be able to solve problems and analyse data
• work accurately and pay attention to detail
• be able to work to strict deadlines
• be honest, discreet and trustworthy.

Entry

There are no set entry qualifications, but you will need to feel confident with maths. Employers may prefer you to have GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent in English and maths.

You will find it helpful to have previous experience of office work. Computer experience is also useful, particularly in using spreadsheet and database packages like Microsoft Excel and Access.

You could begin as an accounts clerk doing basic duties, and take work-based training or a part-time college course to qualify as a technician with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). See the Training section for more details. 

• A level/H grade in Accounting
• previous relevant work experience in accounting, or
• an entry-level bookkeeping or accounting qualification (see Accounts Clerk/Book-keeper profile).

Contact course providers or the AAT or ACCA for advice about where to begin training.

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Training

You can qualify as an accounting technician through schemes from either the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

You can study for the AAT Accounting Qualification full- or part-time at colleges or training centres, or in the workplace. If you are employed in accounting, you can take the AAT Accounting Qualification through the work-based NVQ/SVQ route, which has three stages:

• NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Accounting (Foundation)
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Accounting (Intermediate)
• NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Accounting (Technician).

You will be assessed for the NVQ/SVQ by exams and showing evidence of your accounting experience in the workplace.

• Certificate (Foundation)
• Advanced Certificate (Intermediate)
• Diploma (Technician).

You will be assessed for the Diploma by exams and simulated skills tests.

For full membership of the AAT, you must complete all three stages of the scheme (either pathway) and a year’s approved work experience. Please see the AAT's website for full details.

• CAT Introductory Level (two exams)
• CAT Intermediate Level (two exams)
• CAT Advanced Level (five exams).

To qualify under the CAT Scheme, you must pass exams and also keep a training record of at least one year's practical accounting experience. You can study full- or part-time at colleges and training centres, by distance learning or online. Please see the ACCA's website for full details.

After becoming a fully qualified technician, you could choose to continue your studies to become an accountant. Your experience and qualifications as an accounting technician will allow you to bypass some of the professional accountancy exams. For example, if you have CAT Advanced Level or AAT Technician level, you will not have to take Part 1 of the ACCA’s Chartered Certified Accountant Scheme, and can start training at Part 2. See Accountant: Private Practice for further details of exemptions.

Opportunities

Accounting technicians work in all types of organisations, including commerce and industry, local and central government, public services and in private practice.

Self-employed accounting technicians often work part-time for a number of small businesses, and prospects are good for this type of work.

Experienced accounting technicians can move into senior management positions or progress to become qualified accountants.

Accounting technician qualifications are recognised across the world, so work abroad is also an option.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. Location can affect salary, with accounting technicians in London and the south east sometimes earning up to 50% more than those in other areas.

Accounting technicians at foundation and intermediate levels can earn £10,000 to £18,000 a year.
Fully qualified accounting technicians can earn £18,000 to £25,000.

Self-employed accounting technicians or those with management responsibilities can earn much more.