AAT Accountant apprentice

Government jobs, apprenticeship; Southampton; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaplan Financial Limited in the UK offers an AAT Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant apprenticeship in partnership with Kaplan. The role combines hands-on client work with structured training, learning leading accounting software, and developing professional client communication skills.

You will study towards the AAT qualification while performing actual accounting tasks for various clients, with a clear path to progression and support from experienced colleagues.

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English required.
• No prior accountancy knowledge needed; suitable for beginners.

Responsibilities

• Study towards the AAT qualification and apply what you learn to client work.
• Train on accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks and Iris.
• Build client-facing skills including meetings, calls and emails.
• Assist with accounts preparation for sole traders, partnerships and companies.
• Help with Self Assessment and VAT returns.
• Support bookkeeping across multiple clients.
• Help plan and run payroll and meet deadlines.
• Produce a weekly work plan to manage tasks.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Organisation skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving skills

Customer care skills

Administrative skills

Number skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Education

GCSE Maths

GCSE English

Job description

Summary

Looking to build a long-term career in Accountancy? Then look no further! Kick-start your career today with a level 2 apprenticeship at B&B in partnership with Kaplan. Gain valuable hands-on workplace experience while working towards a recognised qualification.

Wage

£16,009 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Hours

8:30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 19 October 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You'll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

What you'll do at work

An excellent opportunity for an AAT apprentice to build the foundations of a career in accountancy within an established, supportive practice. You will work alongside experienced colleagues on a variety of client work, developing both technical skills and the professional confidence to deal directly with clients. The role offers excellent breadth and a structured route to progress. Day to day, you can expect to:

• Study towards the AAT qualification and apply what you learn to actual client work.
• Train on leading accounting software, including Xero, QuickBooks and Iris.
• Build client facing skills including meeting clients, handling calls, and corresponding by email.
• Assist with accounts preparation for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
• Help prepare Self Assessment tax returns and VAT returns.
• Support bookkeeping across a range of clients.
• Help plan and run the payroll bureau, working to deadlines.
• Produce a weekly work plan to manage tasks and meet deadlines.
• Handle general office tasks.

Where you'll work

9 London Rd,

Southampton

SO15 2AE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You'll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

KAPLAN FINANCIAL LIMITED

Training course

Accounts or finance assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Record transactional data.
• Use the organisation's standard tools and processes to examine data to identify transactional issues, such as reconciliations and inconsistencies between invoices.
• Recognise and rectify routine errors, escalating as necessary.
• Plan and review accounting and finance tasks.
• Communicate with stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely results, avoiding jargon, using language tailored to the audience, and different media methods, with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
• Use finance and accounting software packages to accurately input and manage data to contribute to routine accounting tasks.
• Handle data and digital technology in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
• Record transactional data.
• Use the organisation's standard tools and processes to examine data to identify transactional issues, such as reconciliations and inconsistencies between invoices.
• Recognise and rectify routine errors, escalating as necessary.
• Plan and review accounting and finance tasks.
• Communicate with stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely results, avoiding jargon, using language tailored to the audience, and different media methods, with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.
• Use finance and accounting software packages to accurately input and manage data to contribute to routine accounting tasks.
• Handle data and digital technology in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.

Training schedule

This apprenticeship is a perfect match for someone without any accountancy or bookkeeping knowledge. On this programme they will learn the building blocks of the modern accountant. Not only will they grasp the fundamentals of bookkeeping, but we will help them develop those vital skills and behaviours to enable them to put their knowledge into action.

If you're new to accountancy and finance, looking to change your career into accountancy or have previously worked in an accounts department this level is ideal for you. You don't need any prior experience working in accounts to study AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. There are no entry requirements, but you do need good maths, IT and English skills, and a willingness to learn.

You must successfully complete the following:

• Introduction to Bookkeeping (ITBK)
• Principles of Bookkeeping Control (POBC)
• Principles of Costing (PCTN)
• Business Environment (BESY)

More training information

Kaplan is one of the world's largest and most diverse education providers. We are one of the UK's leading training providers for finance and accountancy qualifications and train thousands of accountants each year.

We have been educating and training students for over 70 years and have helped thousands of people achieve their career goals. We offer apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 7 and cover Accountancy & Tax, Banking & Finance and Data & IT.

We offer study methods to suit all types of learning, whether you want to be face-to-face, or left alone to study in your own time.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 9/A* - 4/C)
• English (grade 9/A* - 4/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Organisation skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical

About this employer

We are an established firm of chartered accountants, registered auditors, tax specialists and business advisers, with over 30 years of experience. Our director trained with one of the Big 4 (PwC), and we bring that depth of experience to owner managed businesses, contractors, sole traders and partnerships, advising across both personal and corporate tax and accountancy related matters. We are founded on long term client relationships and a commitment to high quality, proactive advice whilst taking the development of our team just as seriously.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You'll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

On completion of AAT Level 2, there is a clear opportunity to progress to Level 3 and 4. Beyond that, the possibility of studying towards the ACA or ACCA will be considered. Alongside your studies you will gain in house experience that supports your long term development with the firm.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

KAPLAN FINANCIAL LIMITED

Kaplan

[e-mail]

0161 259 7400

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056124.