AAT Apprentice Accountant in Manchester

Are you looking to build a long‑term career in Accountancy? Then look no further! Start your career today with a level 3 apprenticeship with SQK Accountancy and Kaplan. You will be gaining valuable workplace experience whilst working towards the qualification.

Wage: £15,000 a year

Training course: Assistant accountant (level 3)

Hours: 10am – 4pm. 2 days at home, 3 in office after the first 3 months. Full time in office until this point. 30 hours a week

Start date: Monday 8 June 2026

Duration: 1 year 6 months

Positions available: 1

What you’ll do at work:

• Preparation of Annual Accounts from start to finish, including company Tax Returns.
• Completion of personal Tax Returns.
• Payroll processing.
• Bookkeeping, including VAT Returns and reconciliations.
• Use of Accountancy software (Xero, Quickfile, QuickBooks).
• Ad hoc responsibilities.
• Potential for other areas of Accountancy (R&D claims, Independent Examinations, Management Accounts).

Where you’ll work: 24 Hood Street, Manchester, M4 6WX

Training provider: KAPLAN FINANCIAL LIMITED

Training schedule: Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Level 3 – AAT (Level 3) programme builds on the foundations for entry‑level talent to support growth within an Accountancy and Finance function. Employees on this apprenticeship will ensure an Accountancy and Finance practice performs in the most effective way. It includes the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and provides the opportunity for them to support the business with essential skills and behaviours to drive results. You will learn how to prepare financial statements for Sole Traders and Partnerships, the importance of management accounting information, and how to prepare VAT returns. You'll develop the technical skills to start, or progress, your career in accountancy and this will allow you to continue with your studies onto Level 4.

To pass this level you will need to study the following four units:

• Financial Accounting;
• Preparing Financial Statements (FAPS);
• Management Accounting Techniques (MATS);
• Tax Processes for Business (TPFB);
• Business Awareness (BUAW).

Essential qualifications:

• English (grade 9‑4)
• Maths (grade 9‑4)

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
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Team working

Course contents:

• Assist with the investigation and response to financial information queries.
• Record and analyse financial data using the organisation’s standard tools and processes.
• Apply double entry bookkeeping and accounting standards to process financial documents, generate financial statements and report financial information to users of accounts.
• Assist with production of accurate financial information for the preparation of accounts.
• Reconcile financial data, such as, preparation of reconciliations or review of reconciliations.
• Investigate, resolve or escalate transactional queries and errors within their remit as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Communicate financial information in a way that non‑finance stakeholders can interpret and understand.
• Utilise digital skills to present key financial information using finance and accounting software and applications.
• Use software packages to assist with basic accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
• Communicate using varying approaches and different media methods with an appreciation of the risks and benefits to the business of social media and other digital applications.

About this employer: We are a close knit team with a culture focused on helping and supporting each other. We work in a coworking space with plenty of networking/socialising opportunities. Our focus is primarily property and startups but our client base is a mix of everything so plenty to learn and do.

After this apprenticeship: Progression into semi‑senior and then senior accountant is the most common path but open to other options depending on the person.