HFMA Level 4 accountancy apprenticeship

Who is it for?

Any permanent member of staff can be signed up to the HFMA accountancy apprenticeship by their employer. This will include existing employees or new recruits. Some conditions on education and experience will need to be assessed.

When does it run?

HFMA plan to run the first cohort in January 2020. Further intakes will then take place in May and September which will be open to a larger number of apprentices.

Where does it take place?

The HFMA apprenticeship programme is provided across England. The programme includes online learning, visits from skilled coaches to the apprentice at their place of employement and invitations to group events with other apprentices at central hubbed locations.

Duration

The apprenticeship takes approximately 18 months to complete.

Qualifications

The successful apprentice will gain the following qualifications:
• Level 4 accountancy apprenticeship
• Level 4 accountancy professional qualification  (ACCA foundation diploma, AAT or CIMA Certificate)

Healthcare relevant learning

The programme includes selected topics from HFMA’s level 4 certificate ‘How finance works in the NHS’.  Apprentices will complete assignments that will embed understanding of healthcare business and finance and have been designed to provide evidence of the achievement of the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard.

Cost

The programme costs £8000 which comes directly from the apprenticeship levy. Payments are spread over the 18 months of the apprenticeship. There are additional non-levy fees of approximately £300 for the accountancy exam entrance which cannot be claimed against the levy.

Process

The apprentice will need approximately 35 days of study leave spread over 18 months in order to undertake online studying, skills coach visits, group working and exam sittings. The employer will also need to provide adequate support by way of a training manager to support the student and sign off progress.