The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Monaghan Institute 17 May 2016
ATI Apprenticeship Roles & Responsibilities Aoife Kennedy & Robert Cogill, Selection & Recruitment of Applicants and Employers : ATI Recruitment Services Richard Mullins, Brand promotion & Communications: Marketing Carole McCaughey, Schools, Colleges & Employers Liaison & Promotion: Business Development Darren O Neill, ePortfolio Support, On the Job Training Programme Ken Healy & Lorraine Lawlor, Regulations & Quality Assurance: On & Off the Job Training Programme 2
Accounting Technicians Ireland The leading Professional Accounting Technician body across the island of Ireland Offices in Dublin & Belfast We are over 33 years in Business Partner body of Chartered Accountants Ireland We represent over 10,000 professionally qualified accounting members and students Partnerships with 70 Colleges across the island Our Qualification is comparable to a Level 6 award on the National Framework of Qualifications Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals employed throughout all levels of finance across the public sector, industry, commerce and private accountancy. 3
Background: The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Years ago young people did their articles in accountancy firms and studied in the evening to become accountants. The modern apprenticeship in accountancy offers much more than that, time off to go to class, college and work place mentors, you can earn while you learn. The Higher Apprenticeship in Accountancy has been running since September 2014 in the North of Ireland. We partnered with Belfast Met and SRC, Newry initially. 27 apprentices and 17 employers participated in the first programme. Those students are now sitting their second year exams next month and they will graduate as Accounting Technicians this Autumn. Many will be offered the opportunity to participate in a further 3 year Chartered Accountancy apprenticeship. 4
Programme Expansion In September 2015 the programme was extended across all 6 colleges. There was an additional intake of 70 new accounting technician apprentices supported by 58 employers A total of 90 plus accounting apprentices are now studying and working across Northern Ireland and in all sectors. We have firms like Deloitte, BDO and Grant Thornton participating, amongst others. 5
Programme Approved in the South The Apprenticeship Council, a Dept of Education and Skills Initiative, was set up to review apprenticeships in the Republic and develop recommendations and an implementation plan for new apprenticeships. There was a call for submissions for new apprenticeships , they received a great response and Accounting Technicians Ireland’s apprenticeship in Accountancy was approved in January, subject to QQI & Solas validation, which we are going through now. We intend to have our first cohort of school leavers this September. This will create between 70 – 80 jobs. We have received very strong endorsement from colleges, employers nationwide and strong endorsement from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. 6
New Professional Apprenticeships The new model for professional apprenticeships put employers in the driving seat by aligning with their needs in meeting the growing demand for higher level skills. Employers will be central to the success of our new apprenticeship system having a key role, through consortium partnerships, such as the Accountancy Consortium Group, in agreeing the curriculum and content of apprenticeships and ensuring they continue to be relevant to the needs of their sector. 7
Key Benefits to the Employer Employee retention is key in business and apprenticeships bring increased retention of employees, which results in a more productive and positive workplace. It also creates diversification in the business. The apprentice can be trained up to the specific job requirements, rather than to a more academic and less industry-focused qualification Employers get to grow their own, effectively moulding apprentices to the business. Financially the programme is state funded (funding model to be confirmed shortly by Apprenticeship Council) so that’s also very appealing. 8
Key Benefits to the Employer – cont’d The programme will create the potential for up to 80 new jobs for school leavers in the field of accountancy across the Republic of Ireland this year Once established this Apprenticeship will provide an annual supply of talented school leavers to fulfil the important role accounting technicians play in managing key finance functions ATI graduates are highly trained, cost effective finance professionals who add significant value any business 9
Selection Process We are partnering with the following colleges initially but it is planned to extend the programme nationally in the next few years: Monaghan Institute, Cork College of Commerce, Rathmines College, Blackrock Further Education Institute & Bray Institute of Further Education. The selection and recruitment process is managed by ATI Recruitment Services in partnership with Monaghan Institute Apprentices will be recent school leavers who have completed the Leaving Certificate. 10
Apprentice Eligibility Criteria CAO Points Leaving Certificate applicants must have a minimum of 300 CAO points or equivalent with a pass in English and at least one subject from Maths or Accountancy within the last 5 years are the main entry criteria. Applicants with 290 – 300 CAO points are considered marginal candidates and may be considered with supporting factors such as initiative, interests, experience and aptitude. This marginal CAO point criteria is not advertised. Employer Discretion Individual employers have the discretion to enhance criteria beyond the minimum academic standards. 11
Apprentice Eligibility Criteria – cont’d Age Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before the 1st July in the proposed year of entry to the apprenticeship. Whilst the primary target audience is school leavers at 18 years and above there are no age restrictions for participants on apprenticeships. In keeping with current education policy in ROI mature students are considered 23 years old and above. Existing Employees: Existing employees are also eligible to enter the Apprenticeship but must be undertaking a NEW Job role and must not have worked in an accounting or Finance role in-house previously. Evidence of this will be required. 12
Role of Employer Participate actively in the Interview and candidate selection process Provide a 2 year contract of employment to the apprentice The Apprentice contract of employment must be 5 days a week (including Directed training element (Sept - May) with one employer. The minimum rate of pay is set at €9.15 per hour. It is at the employer’s discretion if they wish to apply a higher rate. The apprentice is paid for a 5 day week, typically 9 – 5.30pm. It is recommended that Apprentices are not contracted to work for more than 37.5 hours per week. Off the job training, provided through 1 day release in local college is part of the apprentices contracted hours of work – circa 3 weeks paid study leave will also apply during examination periods (tbc) 13
Role of Employer – cont’d The Programme includes employer mentoring support The employer provides a suitably qualified work based mentor and agrees a training programme which is reviewed on a quarterly basis. The Work Mentor’s role includes agreeing the work activity of the apprentice in conjunction with ATI’s Work Based Programme requirements. Then agreeing a training plan which is actively managed. Progress is reviewed with the apprentice on a 3 monthly basis and signed off by the Work place mentor. All directed training and on site work requirements assessment must occur within the Apprentice’s normal contracted hours. The teaching staff of the college will provide a college mentor who will liaise closely with the employer and the apprentice 14
Programme Fundamentals A support and mentoring team to include an employer-based mentor plus ongoing support from college team College/employer collaboration to ensure the apprenticeship training programme stays on track Accounting Technicians support the apprentice with a work based learning programme, Virtual classes, study support and student membership Opportunities to progress to further study via Chartered Accountants Ireland 15
Academic Programme
What do students study? Delivery Pattern – 4 Subjects per year for 2 years Year 1 Year 2 1. Taxation 1. Advanced Taxation 2. Financial Accounting 2. Advanced Financial Accounting 3. Law & Ethics 3. Management Accounting 4. Business Management 4. IAS Study Leave – Minimum 3 weeks Essential texts – ATI Textbooks Candidate completes e-portfolio based on their work experience 17
Work Programme
Work Based Learning – “The Process” 19
Assessing On the Job Learning 4 Learning Logs and ePortfolio reviewed and signed off by Work • Mentor each quarter Self Assessment report to be completed at the end of each • year; reviewed and signed off by Work Mentor All work submitted to ATI for assessment at the end of year for • assessment by the Work Programme Examining Board Guidance Notes & Induction will be provided to each Work • Mentor in September. 20
Chartered Accountancy Progression
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