This apprenticeship is suitable if you are starting or developing your career in an administrative or business support role and want to build confidence, professional competence and progression opportunities.

Your role must give you enough opportunity to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard. Suitable job roles may include:

• Business Administrator or Administrative Assistant
• Office Administrator or Office Assistant
• Business Support Officer
• Team Administrator
• Project Support Administrator
• Operations Administrator
• Personal or Executive Assistant
• Customer Service or Service Support Administrator

To start this apprenticeship, you must be employed in a suitable role in England and your employer must agree to support your training. Your working arrangements must allow you to complete the required off-the-job training during paid working hours and apply your learning in the workplace.

All applicants will complete an initial assessment and skills review so that South Bank Colleges can confirm the role is suitable, identify prior learning and agree an individual training plan with the apprentice and employer.

English and maths requirements will be assessed at application. Where further development is needed, South Bank Colleges will provide appropriate support in line with current apprenticeship funding rules and employer requirements.

Applicants must also meet the current government eligibility requirements for an apprenticeship in England.

The programme uses a blended model designed to fit around employment. Structured online learning is supported by scheduled sessions at LSBU Croydon, tutor guidance, workplace activity and regular progress reviews.

You will learn through:

• Interactive online lessons and learning activities
• Tutor-led on-campus workshops and knowledge-test preparation
• Workplace tasks that allow you to apply new knowledge and skills
• Portfolio development using evidence from your role
• A work-based project or process improvement
• Regular progress reviews involving you, your employer and South Bank Colleges
• Dedicated preparation for gateway and end-point assessment

The curriculum develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Business Administrator apprenticeship standard. Areas of learning include:

1. Organisation and the Business Environment: Understand organisational purpose, structures and sectors, the economic context and wider external factors that affect business.
2. Your Organisation: Explore your own organisation, the contribution of your role and how to identify, recommend and support improvements to business processes.
3. Personal and Professional Development: Identify your responsibilities, strengths and development needs; use feedback effectively; and create a practical development plan.
4. Managing Performance: Develop professional behaviours, manage priorities and quality, support team performance and act as a positive role model in the workplace.
5. Legislation and Regulation: Apply key requirements relevant to administration, including data protection, confidentiality, health and safety and organisational compliance.
6. Communication in a Business Environment: Communicate confidently in person, by telephone, in writing and on digital platforms; create accurate documents; and organise meetings effectively.
7. Introduction to Stakeholder and Project Management: Understand stakeholder relationships and the principles used to initiate, plan, deliver and complete successful projects.
8. Project Management: Plan and manage a workplace project, monitor resources and progress, communicate with stakeholders and evaluate outcomes.
9. Business Fundamentals: Understand managing change, business finance and the administrative processes that support budgeting, purchasing, invoicing and payments.
10. ICT for Business: Use business software confidently, including email, spreadsheets, presentations, financial systems and management information systems.
11. Providing Services in an Administrative Environment: Develop understanding of stock control, diary systems, customer service and the effective handling of service issues.

• Using digital tools and business systems to create documents, analyse information and support decisions
• Producing accurate records, reports, correspondence and proposals
• Communicating confidently with colleagues, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders
• Planning meetings, events, activities and resources
• Managing priorities, deadlines and changing demands
• Applying project-management tools to scope, plan, monitor and report on work
• Making sound decisions and solving problems with initiative and good judgement
• Reviewing processes and recommending practical improvements
• Building positive working relationships and supporting or coaching others
• Taking responsibility for quality, professional conduct and continuous development

Throughout the programme, your learning will be assessed through knowledge tests, portfolio evidence, workplace activity and practical application. You will receive feedback and support to help you prepare for the independent end-point assessment.

The current end-point assessment for ST0070 has three equally weighted elements, all of which must be passed:

1. Knowledge test: 50 multiple-choice questions completed in up to 60 minutes.
2. Portfolio-based interview: a 30 to 45-minute professional discussion using evidence gathered during the apprenticeship.
3. Project presentation: a 10 to 15-minute presentation about a work-based project or process improvement, followed by 10 to 15 minutes of questions and answers.

The overall apprenticeship grade is fail, pass or distinction. Assessment arrangements will follow the version of the standard and assessment plan that applies when the apprentice starts.

Business administration skills are valued across every sector. After completing the apprenticeship, you may be ready to take on broader responsibility or progress into roles such as:

• Senior Administrator or Business Support Officer
• Office or Administration Coordinator
• Project Support Officer or Project Coordinator
• Operations Coordinator
• Executive Assistant
• Team Leader or Supervisor
• Customer Service or Service Delivery Coordinator

You could also progress to further study or a higher-level apprenticeship in areas such as operations management, project management, human resources, finance, digital, marketing or business management. As part of LSBU Group, South Bank Colleges can help you explore pathways from further education into higher education and professional careers.

If you already have an employer

Speak to your employer and confirm that they are willing to support your apprenticeship. You can then apply or enquire through South Bank Colleges. The college will work with you and your employer to check eligibility, confirm the suitability of your role and agree the training plan.

If you are not currently employed in a suitable role

You will need to secure an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer before you can enrol. Search current vacancies through the Government's Find an apprenticeship service and check South Bank Colleges' apprenticeship opportunities regularly.

View current apprenticeship vacancies

Search Find an apprenticeship

The Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship provides a practical way to recruit new talent or develop existing employees in roles that support the effective operation of your organisation. The standard is relevant across sectors and can be adapted to the apprentice's workplace, while maintaining clear national expectations for knowledge, skills and professional behaviours.

How the programme can support your organisation

• Build reliable business support, digital, communication and project capability
• Improve administrative processes, quality and customer service
• Develop confident employees who can take ownership and use initiative
• Create progression routes into supervisory, project and management roles
• Apply learning to a real workplace project or process improvement
• Access structured support with onboarding, training, progress reviews and end-point assessment preparation

Employer commitments

Employers must provide a genuine job with appropriate duties, pay the apprentice in line with legal requirements, allow the required off-the-job training during paid working hours and provide workplace opportunities to develop and demonstrate the full apprenticeship standard. Employers also take part in progress reviews and decide, with advice from South Bank Colleges, when the apprentice is ready to progress through gateway to end-point assessment.

The maximum government funding band for ST0070 is £5,000. Apprentices do not pay for their apprenticeship training or assessment.

For starts from 1 August 2026, government funding arrangements depend on the apprentice's age and the employer's levy status. Eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24 can be fully funded up to the funding band maximum. For other apprentices, employer co-investment may apply.

Additional payments may also be available for eligible employers and apprentices, including a £1,000 support payment in specified circumstances and, from 1 October 2026, a potential hiring payment of up to £2,000 for eligible non-levy employers recruiting new apprentices aged 16 to 24.

Funding and incentive eligibility is subject to current government rules and individual circumstances. The South Bank Colleges apprenticeship team will confirm the position with each employer before enrolment.

This apprenticeship is a strong starting point if you enjoy working with numbers, solving straightforward problems, keeping information accurate and supporting colleagues or customers. It is designed for people carrying out routine finance and accounting tasks under supervision.

Your job must give you enough opportunity to develop and demonstrate the full occupational standard. Suitable job titles include:

• Accounts Administrator
• Accounts Assistant
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Assistant Bookkeeper
• Business Accounts Administrator
• Cost Accountant Assistant
• Junior Finance Assistant
• Junior Cashier

You must be employed in a suitable accounts or finance role in England and your employer must agree to support the apprenticeship. The role must provide sufficient work-based opportunities to develop the required knowledge, skills and behaviours.

No previous accounting qualification is normally required, making this a suitable entry route for school leavers, career changers and employees moving into a junior finance role.

All applicants will complete an initial assessment and skills review so that South Bank Colleges can confirm eligibility, recognise relevant prior learning and agree an individual training plan.

English and maths requirements will be reviewed at application. Any required qualifications or development will be planned in line with the current apprenticeship funding rules and your starting point.

The programme uses the Mindful Education blended-learning model. Online lessons are combined with tutor-led sessions at LSBU Croydon, workplace learning and regular progress reviews.

Online content is released in a structured sequence, with campus sessions used to consolidate learning, practise accounting tasks, prepare for AAT assessments and connect learning to the apprentice's job.

You will learn through:

• Interactive online lessons and guided activities on the Mindful Education platform
• Tutor-led workshops, practice tasks and feedback
• Practical accounting work using business documents, spreadsheets and finance systems
• Workplace activity linked to your employer's finance processes
• Regular progress reviews involving you, your employer and South Bank Colleges
• AAT qualification assessment preparation
• Preparation for the apprenticeship assessment specified for ST0608 version 2.0

The AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting comprises four units totalling 255 guided learning hours:

1. Introduction to Bookkeeping - 65 hours: Learn about business documents, accounting systems, the accounting equation, double-entry bookkeeping, books of prime entry, customer and supplier transactions, cash books and petty cash.
2. Principles of Bookkeeping Controls - 50 hours: Develop skills in trial balances, control accounts, journals, correcting errors, suspense accounts and bank reconciliations.
3. The Business Environment - 90 hours: Understand the finance function, business structures, communication, workload planning, contract law, ethics, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and the wider economic environment.
4. Principles of Costing - 50 hours: Explore cost classification, labour and material costs, unit costs, manufacturing accounts, budgets and variances, and the difference between financial and management accounting.

Additional apprenticeship support

Two supporting units are included for learners beginning their first accounting role and gathering evidence of their workplace development:

1. Starting Work in Accountancy: Getting started at work; codes of conduct; equality, diversity and inclusion; teamwork; feedback; time management; professional development; communication and handling stakeholder queries.
2. Calculations and Spreadsheets for Accountants: Percentages, fractions, proportions, ratios and rounding; spreadsheet formatting and calculations; data accuracy; cell referencing; linked worksheets; basic charts; and data-security controls.

• Recording financial transactions accurately from business documents and primary sources
• Using ledgers, cash books, control accounts, journals and trial balances
• Examining financial data, identifying inconsistencies and correcting or escalating routine errors
• Reconciling transactional data, bank records and accounting balances
• Using accounting software and spreadsheets to input, manage and present information
• Handling financial data securely and following cyber-security and data-protection requirements
• Planning and reviewing finance tasks with your supervisor to meet deadlines
• Communicating accurate information to colleagues, customers, clients and suppliers
• Working professionally and ethically, contributing to a team and responding positively to feedback

Your development will be monitored throughout the programme through online activities, tutor feedback, practical accounting work, workplace evidence and progress reviews. You must also complete the mandatory AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting before the end of the apprenticeship.

The AAT qualification has four assessments covering Introduction to Bookkeeping, Principles of Bookkeeping Controls, Principles of Costing and The Business Environment. South Bank Colleges will confirm the assessment timetable, registration arrangements and any permitted assessment adjustments before enrolment.

Under the ST0608 version 2.0 apprenticeship assessment plan, assessment includes a professional discussion together with any additional assessment methods needed to cover the required outcomes.

The apprenticeship assessment outcomes cover:

• Legal, ethical and sustainability requirements in accounting
• Financial data processing and accounting tasks
• Communication and stakeholder engagement

The apprenticeship can be graded fail, pass or distinction. Assessment arrangements and evidence requirements will be confirmed before completion.

Successful apprentices can progress into a broader junior finance role or take on greater responsibility within their existing team. Progression routes may include:

• Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship
• Financial Services Administrator
• Data Technician
• Pensions Administrator
• Investment Operations Technician
• Advanced Credit Controller and Debt Collection Specialist
• Compliance and Risk Officer
• Insurance Practitioner

The apprenticeship standard also aligns with associate-level recognition from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers. Apprentices should contact the relevant professional body to confirm its current membership requirements.

If you already have an employer

Speak to your employer and confirm that they are willing to support your apprenticeship. Apply or enquire through South Bank Colleges. The college will check eligibility, confirm that your role is suitable and agree the training plan with you and your employer.

If you are not currently employed in a suitable role

You will need to secure an apprenticeship vacancy before you can enrol. Search the Government's Find an apprenticeship service and check South Bank Colleges' apprenticeship opportunities regularly for vacancies with partner employers.

View current apprenticeship vacancies

Search Find an apprenticeship

The Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship provides a structured way to recruit and develop early-career finance talent. It can support in-house finance teams, accountancy practices and public-sector organisations that need accurate transaction processing, reliable records and confident use of digital accounting tools.

How the programme can support your organisation

• Develop accurate, dependable support for routine bookkeeping and transaction processing
• Improve confidence with ledgers, reconciliations, controls, costing and spreadsheets
• Strengthen data security, professional ethics and attention to detail
• Build communication and service skills for internal and external stakeholders
• Create a structured entry route into finance and progression to Level 3
• Access support with initial assessment, training planning, progress reviews and apprenticeship assessment preparation

Employer commitments

Employers must provide a genuine accounts or finance job that allows the apprentice to develop occupational competence, pay the apprentice in line with legal requirements, provide supervision and protect time for off-the-job training during paid working hours. Employers also take part in progress reviews, support access to appropriate workplace systems and information, and confirm readiness for completion.

The maximum funding band for ST0608 is £7,000. Apprentices do not pay for apprenticeship training or assessment. The agreed price is funded through the employer's apprenticeship service account or government co-investment, subject to eligibility and the funding rules in force at the apprentice's start date.

For starts in 2026/27, government funds eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24 up to the funding band maximum where the employer does not pay the levy or a levy-paying employer has insufficient funds. For a non-levy employer recruiting an apprentice aged 25 or over, the employer contribution is 5%. Where a levy-paying employer has insufficient funds for an apprentice aged 25 or over, the employer contribution is 25%.

From 1 October 2026, an eligible non-levy employer recruiting a new apprentice aged 16 to 24 may also qualify for a £2,000 hiring payment. The apprentice must meet the funding conditions, including the rule concerning when they started employment. Eligibility must be checked before the payment is promoted or relied upon.

South Bank Colleges will confirm the correct funding position for each employer before enrolment.

This apprenticeship is suitable if you are already working in an accounting or finance role and want to deepen your technical knowledge and take on more responsibility. You should be organised, accurate, comfortable working with numbers and able to communicate with finance and non-finance colleagues.

Your job must give you enough opportunity to develop and demonstrate the full occupational standard. Typical job titles include:

• Assistant Accountant
• Accounting Technician
• Accounts Clerk
• Assistant Cashier
• Bookkeeper
• Finance Assistant
• Purchase Ledger Clerk
• Sales Ledger Clerk

You must be employed in a suitable accounting or finance role in England and your employer must agree to support the apprenticeship. The role must provide sufficient work-based opportunities to develop the required knowledge, skills and professional behaviours.

All applicants will complete an initial assessment and skills review. South Bank Colleges will consider your current role, prior accounting knowledge, English and maths, relevant qualifications and experience before agreeing an individual training plan. Prior learning may reduce the content, duration and price where appropriate.

The programme uses the Mindful Education blended-learning model. Online lessons are combined with regular tutor-led sessions at LSBU Croydon, workplace learning and progress reviews involving the apprentice, employer and South Bank Colleges.

Online content is released in a structured sequence. Campus sessions consolidate learning, provide feedback, practise accounting tasks and prepare apprentices for AAT assessments.

You will learn through:

• Interactive online lessons and guided activities on the Mindful Education platform
• Tutor-led workshops, practice tasks and individual feedback
• Practical accounting work using business documents, spreadsheets and finance systems
• Workplace activity linked to your employer's accounting processes and customers
• Regular progress reviews and an individual training plan
• AAT qualification assessment preparation
• Preparation for the apprenticeship assessment specified for ST0002 version 2.0

The programme uses the four-unit AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, with 400 guided learning hours across the qualification:

1. Tax Processes for Businesses - 60 hours: Understand VAT legislation, calculate VAT, review and verify returns, explore payroll principles and report information within an organisation.
2. Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements - 150 hours: Apply advanced double-entry bookkeeping, account for non-current assets and period-end adjustments, extend trial balances, prepare statements for sole traders and partnerships, interpret profitability ratios and work from incomplete records.
3. Management Accounting Techniques - 120 hours: Classify and attribute costs, use budgeting and variance analysis, apply spreadsheet techniques, support short-term decisions and understand cash-management principles.
4. Business Awareness - 70 hours: Explore business types, structure and governance, the internal and external environment, professional ethics, technology, data security and communication with stakeholders.

Apprenticeship themes developed across the programme

• Financial accounting, adjustments, reporting and the maintenance of accurate records
• Management accounting, costing, budgets, forecasting and variance investigation
• Indirect taxation, regulatory requirements and the safeguarding of financial systems
• Accounting software, spreadsheets, databases, data analytics and secure digital working
• Professional ethics, anti-money laundering awareness, confidentiality and sound judgement
• Communication of financial information to diverse internal and external stakeholders
• The role of finance within business strategy, professional development and the wider accounting landscape
• Inclusive teamwork, resilience, adaptability and sustainable working practices

• Recording and analysing financial data using your organisation's systems and processes
• Applying double-entry bookkeeping and accounting principles to financial documents and statements
• Preparing accurate information for monthly reporting and year-end accounts
• Reconciling financial data and investigating or escalating transactional queries and errors
• Using costing, budgeting, variance analysis and cash-management techniques
• Using accounting software and spreadsheets to process, interpret and present financial information
• Working securely in line with cyber-security, data-protection and confidentiality requirements
• Explaining financial information clearly to finance and non-finance stakeholders
• Managing your own caseload, priorities and deadlines while reporting to a more senior accountant
• Applying professional ethics, attention to detail and sound judgement to routine and non-routine work

Your development will be monitored throughout the programme through online learning, tutor feedback, practical accounting work, workplace evidence and progress reviews. You must complete the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting as part of the programme.

The AAT Diploma has four unit assessments: Business Awareness; Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements; Management Accounting Techniques; and Tax Processes for Businesses. South Bank Colleges will confirm registration, assessment dates, resits and any permitted reasonable adjustments before enrolment.

ST0002 version 2.0 is an integrated apprenticeship. Its apprenticeship assessment includes a professional discussion and may use additional methods to ensure all required outcomes are covered.

The national assessment outcomes focus on:

• Digital financial processing and information management
• Financial controls, cyber security and data protection
• Financial communication and stakeholder collaboration
• The professional finance environment and sector awareness

The apprenticeship is graded fail, pass or distinction. Detailed assessment arrangements and evidence requirements will be confirmed before completion.

Successful apprentices can progress into a broader accounting role, take on more responsibility in their current team or continue professional study. Progression routes include the Level 4 Professional Accounting or Taxation Technician apprenticeship and the Level 7 Accountancy or Taxation Professional apprenticeship.

The AAT qualification can support roles including:

• Accounts Assistant or Finance Assistant
• Accounts Payable Clerk or Supervisor
• Audit Trainee
• Credit Controller
• Payroll Administrator or Supervisor
• Practice Bookkeeper
• Tax Assistant

The apprenticeship standard aligns with AAT recognition for Qualified Bookkeeper. Successful learners can apply for AAT bookkeeping membership (AATQB), subject to AAT's current membership requirements. The standard also aligns with IAB Associate Member and ICB Full Member recognition.

If you already have an employer

Speak to your employer and confirm that they are willing to support your apprenticeship. Apply or enquire through South Bank Colleges. The college will check eligibility, confirm that your role is suitable and agree the training plan with you and your employer.

If you are not currently employed in a suitable role

You will need to secure an apprenticeship vacancy before you can enrol. Search the Government's Find an apprenticeship service and check South Bank Colleges' apprenticeship opportunities regularly for vacancies with partner employers.

View current apprenticeship vacancies

Search Find an apprenticeship

The Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship provides a structured way to recruit and develop accounting talent. It suits finance teams, accountancy practices, charities and public services that need accurate records, timely reporting and confident use of digital accounting systems.

How the programme can support your organisation

• Develop reliable support for month-end reporting, year-end accounts and financial records
• Improve capability in costing, budgeting, variance analysis, VAT and cash management
• Strengthen controls, professional ethics, data security and attention to detail
• Build confident communication with finance and non-finance stakeholders
• Create a structured progression route from entry-level finance work to Level 4
• Access support with initial assessment, training planning, progress reviews and apprenticeship assessment preparation

Employer commitments

Employers must provide a genuine accounting or finance job that allows the apprentice to develop occupational competence, pay the apprentice in line with legal requirements, provide supervision and protect time for off-the-job training during paid working hours. Employers also take part in progress reviews, provide access to appropriate systems and information, and support the apprentice to complete assessment activities.

The maximum funding band for ST0002 version 2.0 is £12,000. Apprentices do not pay for apprenticeship training or assessment. The agreed price is funded through the employer's apprenticeship service account or government co-investment, subject to eligibility and the funding rules in force on the apprentice's start date. Employers pay in full any agreed costs above the funding band maximum.

For starts from 1 August 2026, government funds eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24 up to the funding band maximum where the employer does not pay the levy or a levy-paying employer has insufficient funds. For a non-levy employer recruiting an apprentice aged 25 or over, the employer contribution is 5%. Where a levy-paying employer has insufficient funds for an apprentice aged 25 or over, the employer contribution is 25%.

From 1 October 2026, an eligible non-levy employer recruiting a new apprentice aged 16 to 24 may also qualify for a hiring payment of up to £2,000. Eligibility conditions include the apprentice's age, practical-period start date, PAYE record and length of employment before training begins. The separate £1,000 additional employer payment may also apply for an apprentice aged 16 to 18, or an eligible 19 to 24-year-old care leaver or person with an education, health and care plan.

South Bank Colleges will confirm the correct funding position before enrolment.