With over 20 partners (about a quarter of whom trained and qualified with the firm) and 170 employees, Blick Rothenberg Chartered Accountants is a medium sized firm and one of the largest single site practices in Central London.
Our standards are extremely high and our atmosphere is lively, friendly and stimulating. Many of our clients are part of substantial groups with strong international connections. Others include SMEs (Small and Medium sized Enterprises), high net worth individuals, professional firms and charities. As we do not split the varying facets of our work into separate compartments, we are able to offer our trainees variety, stimulation, challenge and early responsibility.
Studying for the AAT examinations
The course combines periods of full time study and examinations with a home study element. The tutors liaise with us on a regular basis, allowing us to maintain an active interest in performance.
We pay for all courses, exam fees and study leave for first sittings. The firm’s commitment to our trainee’s development shows in the consistently high pass rates our students achieve in the examinations.
Once students have completed the AAT, many progress on to study for the ACA qualification. In most cases, AAT students are eligible for a number of exemptions and it is possible to complete the ACA qualification in a further two years of study.
Please note the firm only supports the modern apprenticeship scheme. As such, the firm will only accept applications from candidates who have completed or are due to complete their A-levels or equivalent within the next year. The firm does not accept applications from part-qualified AAT students.
Entry requirements for AAT trainees
- 240 UCAS points
- Good communication skills, both written and oral
- Personal skills necessary to work as a member of a team and maintain good relations with clients
The Association of Accounting Technicians
Membership
To become a member of the AAT you have to complete the Education and Training Scheme, which has three stages: Foundation, Intermediate and Technician. Each stage can be achieved in six months. The three stages are accredited by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) as National Vocational Qualifications in Accounting.
The Scheme focuses on what you should be able to do in order to be considered competent at your job. These tasks are written down in units of competence and are tested by assessments, of which there are two types, skills tests and examinations.
Skills tests measure your practical competence by compiling evidence of your ability to perform the everyday practical tasks needed to be an accounting technician.
Examinations mainly test your knowledge and understanding. These are attempted at each stage after passing devolved assessments.
The Education and Training Scheme
The outline structure of the scheme is set out below with each heading describing a unit of competence (20 units in total, of which trainees must demonstrate competence in 18). Each unit is then broken down into elements of competence that describe the areas covered by the unit and include performance criteria, which define the standard of performance required for competence.
AAT Units
Foundation Stage
Recording income and receipts
Making and recording payments
Preparing ledger balances and an initial trial balance
Supplying information for management control
Working with computers
Health and safety
Achieving personal effectiveness
Intermediate Stage
Maintaining financial records and preparing accounts
Recording and evaluating costs and revenues
Preparing reports and returns
Working with computers (if not already obtained)
Health and safety (if not already obtained)
Technician Stage - Accounting Practice Route
Contributing to the management of performance and enhancement of value
Contributing to the planning and control of resources
Managing systems and people in the accounting environment
Drafting financial statements
Operating a cash management and credit control system
Health and safety (if not already obtained)
Implementing auditing procedures
Preparing business taxation computations
Preparing personal taxation computations
In order to demonstrate competence in a unit, trainees must show evidence of their technical ability to carry out accounting activities, to communicate effectively, to cope with problems and unforeseen eventualities, and an awareness and understanding of the wider business environment. Competence encompasses the organisation and planning of work.
Details of the professional examinations of the Association of Accounting Technicians, together with a host of other useful information, can be found at
www.aat.org.uk
Internal Training
In addition to the above, we run a series of in-house practical training to complement professional studies.
If you are interested to learn a little about the practical experience you will gain during your training contract, please refer to the ‘work experience’ section of the ACA web page.