Accounts assistants help with the processing, authorising and recording of all financial transactions for an organisation. They work for companies across a range of sectors. They are sometimes called bookkeepers.

The Work

Your duties will vary depending on the organisation you work for.

You could be:

• processing daily bank transactions
• calculating and recording totals of transactions
• paying company bills
• processing credit card, debit card and cash transactions
• maintaining records, sales and purchase ledgers and VAT returns
• contacting customers about outstanding invoices and taking correct payments
• processing wages and expenses
• using specialist accounting software.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Accounts assistants can earn from £16,000 to £22,000, rising to around £30,000 with experience.

Conditions

• Responsibilities or nature of duties may vary depending upon the size or type of business. In a smaller firm, for example, you may control all financial activities, but in a larger organisation your duties may be more specific or specialised.
• If you work full time you will work about 35-39 hours a week.
• Opportunity for part time work is good.
• You would normally be based in an office.

Useful Subjects

• Accountancy (SCQF Level 6) (FA)
• Accounting
• Applications of Mathematics
• Financial Services (SCQF Level 6) (FA)
• Mathematics

Getting In

• Some employers may ask for subjects at National 5, including English and Maths, while others may look for an HNC (SCQF Level 7) in a business or finance related discipline.
• For an HNC course, you usually need 1 Higher and some subjects at National 5.
• You could do a Modern Apprenticeship in Accounting leading to AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting at SCQF Level 5 or ACCA Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting at SCQF Level 5.
• Studying for the Foundation Apprenticeship Accountancy (SCQF Level 6) while in fifth and sixth year at school could count towards entry requirements of a course or Modern Apprenticeship. Entry requirements vary between colleges, but you usually require some subjects at National 5 including English and Maths.

You can look for jobs on the government’s Find a job website or on other recruitment websites.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

32230

1.3 %

RISE

2029

32658

  United Kingdom

2024

593935

4.1 %

RISE

2029

618392

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What Does it Take?

You should be:

• able to work under pressure at busy times
• fast and accurate when dealing with figures
• able to work well in a team
• honest and dependable.

You should also have:

• excellent communication skills
• good IT skills
• accurate cash handling skills
• good customer care skills.

Training

• You get on the job introductory training in computing software systems, handling cash, credit and debit cards and operating credit accounts.
• Your employer might arrange part time training for you for SVQs.
• As a Modern Apprentice, you would train on the job as well as attending college or a training centre on a day or block release basis.

Getting On

• If you are working for a big company, your employer might offer you training for a supervisory or post. From there you might go on to train as a departmental manager.
• You might complete further AAT qualifications to become an accounting technician.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.