How does an apprenticeship work?

How does an apprenticeship work?

16+

Anyone in England over the age of 16 can be an apprentice. In fact, apprenticeships for the over 25’s are common and a good way to up-skill or change career.

30-40 hours

Apprentices are full time employees and they get paid a salary dependent on their age, experience and existing qualifications.

Study

Each apprentice is enrolled on a programme of study approved by their employer. Their employer will also decide on the structure of their training.

£0

Employers pay for the study – there is no cost to you.

20%

Through an apprenticeship your employer will commit 20% of your working time to your training and development with the support a recognised training provider.

Future Ready Finance Professional

At the end of the apprenticeship, candidates take an End Point Assessment, designed to test their career readiness skills. On completion of the Assessment you are awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant designation and the Level 7 Accounting Apprenticeship award.

Deciding on an apprenticeship?

The role of a training provider

The training provider works with the employer to support apprentices with the off the job-training, assessing their progress towards achieving their qualifications and providing them with support during their apprenticeship. Again, together with the employer they ensure that the apprentice has or receives:

  • An induction programme at the beginning of their apprenticeship
  • A detailed training plan, including what happens on-the-job
  • Regular progress reviews
  • Opportunities to put on-the-job learning into practice
  • Mentoring and general support during the entire apprenticeship

All of this is documented in a commitment statement that is part of the apprenticeship agreement: this is an individual learning plan that the provider, the employer and the apprentice all commit to at the outset of the apprenticeship.

 

 

 

The benefits of studying through an apprenticeship

Two CIMA professional working together

Gain relevant experience

Develop practical on-the-job experience whilst studying for a professional qualification, laying solid foundations for a finance or commercial role in the future.

CIMA Student looking over shoulder

Advance your career

Apply what you learn to your job role, becoming a valuable asset to your employer whilst also helping to advance your career.

How to meet the right people in business and finance

Learning - your way

Learn at your own pace whilst being taught by industry experience tutors and complete a globally recognised qualification at the end of your apprenticeship.

CIMA student looking at the camera

Earn while you Learn

Set yourself up for the future – apprenticeships enjoy marked salary increases over their career lifetime.

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Getting fully qualified with no debt and relevant experience was really appealing to me. It allows you to get hands-on experience of real-life situations.
Eunice Fuentes
Finance Apprentice, Transport for London
Read more of Eunice's story
Why an apprenticeship with CIMA?

Why an apprenticeship with CIMA?

A globally recognised qualification

CIMA is the global leader in Management Accountancy training, offering a suite of current, innovative and online qualifications that provide a route for students to achieve Chartered Global Management Accountant Status (CGMA), the only globally recognised qualification for Management Accountants.

Gain professional skills

CIMA’s qualifications offer a unique blend of management and financial accounting, plus business subjects. When studied alongside a full-time job, apprentices will gain the professional skills, knowledge and mindset that businesses are looking for from their future leaders.

University alternative

An apprenticeship with CIMA can be an alternative to going to University. The level 4 Apprenticeship is equivalent to a Foundation Degree, whilst the Level 7 equates to a Masters.

Achieve CGMA designation

As candidates study whilst they work, the practical experience requirements are satisfied on the job. This means that once Level 7 is completed, they are automatically awarded the coveted CGMA designation and become members of CIMA.

Why employers should train apprentices with CIMA

CIMA is an apprenticeship partner that innovates around business’ needs and equips finance teams to create real value

Find out more

A former CIMA apprentice speaks out

Which Apprenticeship is Right for Me?

School Leaver

Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship

The Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship is the first step of an apprenticeship journey that could take you all the way to earning the CGMA designation.

During this apprenticeship, you’ll study the Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA), our entry level qualification for people with little or no accounting background. It’s a qualification designed to give your career a robust foundation in business and finance.

Studying the Cert BA will give you the business and finance skills for now and into the future, including accounting, management accounting and business principles. It also forms a formal entry route into the CIMA Professional Qualification, which you can study as part of the Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship. Once you have successfully completed both qualifications, you’ll be awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.

 

Explore CIMA's Level 4 Apprenticeship
Graduate

Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship

If you’ve got a degree, the Level 7 Accountancy/ Taxation Professional Apprenticeship is for you. As part of this apprenticeship, you’ll study the CIMA Professional Qualification - recognised worldwide as the most relevant global finance qualification for a career in business.

The CIMA Professional Qualification focuses on employability, offering a syllabus that is truly competency based. It will enable you to develop the skills employers are really looking for, including technical, finance and business skills, as well as people and leadership skills. 

The Professional Qualification is a demonstration to employers that you not only have the knowledge, but also the competencies and skills of a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

 

Explore CIMA's Level 7 Apprenticeship
Level 4 Apprentice

Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship

Once you’ve completed your Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, you’re ready to progress to the Level 7 Accountancy/ Taxation Professional Apprenticeship. You’ll build on the knowledge you gained in Level 4 and study the CIMA Professional Qualification, recognised worldwide as the most relevant global finance qualification for a career in business.

The CIMA Professional Qualification focuses on employability, offering a syllabus that is truly competency based. It will enable you to develop the skills employers are really looking for, including technical, finance and business skills, as well as people and leadership skills. 

The Professional Qualification is a demonstration to employers that you not only have the knowledge, but also the competencies and skills of a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

 

Explore CIMA’s Level 7 Apprenticeship
Career Changer from a non-finance or accounting background

Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship 

If you want to start a new career in accounting, the Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship can help you. It’s the first step of an apprenticeship journey that could take you all the way to earning the CGMA designation.

During this apprenticeship, you’ll study the Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA), our entry level qualification for people with little or no accounting background. It’s a qualification designed to give your career a robust foundation in business and finance.

Studying the Cert BA will give you the business and finance skills for now and into the future, including accounting, management accounting and business principles. It also forms a formal entry route into the CIMA Professional Qualification, which you can study as part of the Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship. Once you have successfully completed both qualifications, you’ll be awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.

 

Explore CIMA’s Level 4 Apprenticeship
Career Developer with a background in accounting or finance

Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship 

If you’ve got some experience working in accounting or finance, you could progress your career with the Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship. As part of this apprenticeship, you’ll study the CIMA Professional Qualification - recognised worldwide as the most relevant global finance qualification for a career in business.

The CIMA Professional Qualification focuses on employability, offering a syllabus that is truly competency based. It will enable you to develop the skills employers are really looking for, including technical, finance and business skills, as well as people and leadership skills. 

The Professional Qualification is a demonstration to employers that you not only have the knowledge, but also the competencies and skills of a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

 

Explore CIMA’s Level 7 Apprenticeship
CIMA’s assessment approach

CIMA’s assessment approach

CIMA delivers innovative assessments that influence learning and increase the employability of students. When candidates pass, they are regarded as business ready. Two types of assessment take place on both levels of our apprenticeship programme

On-programme assessment

With the support of a training provider and your employer, you will sit a number of CIMA Exams related to the subjects of the qualification you are studying for. Alongside this, you will be expected to complete a training log that records the skills and behaviours you gain during your apprenticeship programme.

End Point Assessments

CIMA delivers two End Point Assessments (EPAs), one at the end of each level. These assessments, a combination of an exam and a portfolio or report, draw together the elements of each course to make sure that you are fully competent in role, and meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours prescribed by the apprenticeship standard. 

Interested in qualifying with CIMA through an apprenticeship? Here’s what you need to do

1

Find an employer to take you on as an apprentice

Talk to your existing employer or find an employer to get their go-ahead to start an apprenticeship.

 

Search our latest apprenticeship roles >
2

Choose your training provider

Sit down with your employer and agree on which training provider you’ll use to do your apprenticeship. 

3

Enrol as an apprentice with your employer

Make things official! Your employer will be able to help you with this.

4

And Finally....

Register with CIMA. 

Register here

What value do apprentices add to businesses?

Having that dual experience of studying and gaining experience in the workplace is invaluable.
Diane Lorgeré
Graduate, Network Rail
Read more of Diane's story
Find out more about the different Apprenticeship levels

Find out more about the different Apprenticeship levels

Level 4 CIMA Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship programme covers the first part of the CIMA Qualification, the Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA) and gives apprentices  the opportunity to discover their true business potential, teaching core business and finance skills beyond simple business accounting.

Find out more

Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship

CIMA’s Level 7 Accountancy / Taxation Professional Apprenticeship allows apprentices to study for the globally recognised CGMA Professional Qualification whilst employed in a full-time role.

Find out more

Am I eligible for exemptions

If you have existing qualifications or experience, you may be exempt from subjects and exams during your apprenticeship.

Where could I start?

Speak to an advisor

We understand that each apprentice will be in a different situation, so speak to our apprenticeship team to discuss the best option.

Contact Us

Register for an apprenticeship

Register with CIMA and start studying on your apprenticeship today. 
Remember, you should already be in an agreement with your employer and training provider to register for a CIMA apprenticeship.

Register now on aicpa-cima.com