Program Overview

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Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship

The Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship is a four-year program designed to equip apprentices with the essential accounting and finance skills to drive financial strategy and innovation within their organization. This program combines academic learning with practical, hands-on experience, enabling apprentices to become capable and confident professionals in accounting and finance.

Employers and Apprentices Information

Employers

• Upskill and accelerate the progression of existing performing employees or introduce bright and enthusiastic new talent.
• The CIMA exemptions support in providing a clear path for the development of finance teams of the future.
• This qualification helps improve financial strategy and develops essential key management accounting techniques and other transferable skills.
• AI and digital skills are embedded in every module to ensure apprentices are equipped with the skills to thrive in the modern workplace.

Apprentices

• Develop senior accounting and finance capabilities, including technical skills that make an immediate impact within your organization.
• Explore developments in accounting and finance standards in areas such as environmental risks and climate change.
• A blend of face-to-face immersive learning days on campus, supported by additional online learning.
• Pursue a reduced route to full CIMA qualification with the exemption of first and second level examinations.

About this Programme

The Accounting Finance Degree Apprenticeship was developed in collaboration with leading financial institutions and top employers to equip graduates with the essential skills and expertise needed to excel in the financial sector. The program combines academic learning with practical, hands-on experience, enabling apprentices to become capable and confident professionals in accounting and finance.

Apprentices will gain comprehensive knowledge in areas such as financial reporting, taxation, auditing, and financial management. Taught units are supported by work-based projects that focus on real-world financial scenarios and problem-solving.

Specific job roles relevant for this degree apprenticeship may include, but are not limited to:

• Accounting and finance manager
• Accounts senior
• Company accountant
• Credit controller
• Financial accountant
• Financial controller
• Reporting accountant
• Systems accountant

Teaching is based in the University’s renowned Business School, which boasts a triple international accreditation.

Programme Content

Designed to prepare apprentices for a successful career in the accounting and finance industry, the core curriculum focuses on managing and implementing accounting and finance systems, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting decision-making through financial information and reports.

Year 1 Modules

• Business Environment and Economics
• Financial Accounting Fundamentals
• Management Accounting Fundamentals

Year 2 Modules

• The Role of Finance in Managing People
• Data, Law and Governance
• Taxation

Year 3 Modules

• Assurance, Audit and Internal Controls
• Corporate Reporting and Current Issues in Finance and Accounting
• Applied Financial Analysis

Year 4 Modules

• Budgeting and Business Planning
• Strategic Finance and Stakeholder Relations
• Accounting Finance Manager EPA - Business Report and Professional Discussion

During the final module, apprentices will be required to produce a comprehensive business report by applying knowledge and skills to an organisational issue. Implementing everything they have learned on the programme to make a real difference in their own organisation.

CIMA Levels

The programme offers a significant number of exemptions against the CIMA professional qualifications:

• The certificate level papers, BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4.
• The operational level papers, E1, P1, F1 and the operational case study exam.

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices are eligible to apply to CIMA for the Diploma in Management Accounting.

To gain full CIMA accreditation, apprentices would be required to complete:

• The management level papers, E2, P2, F2* and the management case study exam.
• The strategic level papers, E3, P3, F3 and the strategic case study exam.

*The course covers most of the content required for these papers, but it cannot be exempted at degree level by CIMA.

Programme Length and Approach

This programme is delivered over four years with three modules per year. The final four months of the programme are given to consolidate the portfolio and produce the project proposal required for the end-point assessment.

Apprentices will complete projects in their workplace, tackling challenges relevant to their employer and applying their learning directly to their organisation and its business context, supported by an academic expert in their chosen field.

This blended learning programme is taught through tutor-supported online study and learning, with one on-campus study block per module. Apprentices will spend three face-to-face immersive days at our prestigious, triple-accredited Business School in central Manchester, three times per year for tutorials, workshops and masterclasses.

A skills coach at the university and a workplace supervisor will undertake regular progress reviews and support apprentices in their work and studies.

Qualifications Awarded

Upon successful completion of this programme, apprentices are awarded a BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance Manager degree, as well as a Level 6 Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship.

Graduating apprentices are eligible to apply to CIMA for the Diploma in Management Accounting.

Entry Requirements

Applicants can be existing employees looking to upskill and develop their careers or new recruits aiming to get working life off to a flying start.

They must:

• Be 18 or older.
• Have the right of abode and the right to work in the UK to qualify for funding.
• Meet programme entry requirements.

Applicants should have a minimum of 104 UCAS points at A-level (grades BCC) or an equivalent (for example, BTEC DMM).

Apprentices aged 16 to 18 who do not hold Level 2 or GCSE Maths and English Qualifications will be required to complete Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship.

Apprentices aged 19 and over who do not hold or are unable to evidence achievement of Level 2 or GCSE Maths and English Qualifications will be required to undertake an initial assessment to assess their current working level. The outcome of this will be shared with the employer to inform the decision as to whether the apprentice will study Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship.

There are no additional costs for these qualifications.

Funding

Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.

Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.

Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.

Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.

Find out about the funding support available to employers.

Next Steps

For employers, the university will support every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at their organisation, whether they intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.

For employees, if they are already employed in a relevant job role, they should encourage their employer to contact the university.

For students, they can sign up to the degree apprenticeship mailing list to get alerts about vacancies and events.

For more information and advice on applying for an apprenticeship, visit the guide.

Events

The university hosts events to introduce the new Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship, providing an opportunity to find out more about the programme.