The CIMA Apprenticeship Programme

Summary Info
With a launch date of September 2013, businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
will be able to recruit management accountants of the future through this new, government
funded, apprenticeship scheme. The new recruits will be talented, young individuals who
have completed their A levels and will be trained by their employers to gain key business
skills while also studying for the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting.

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes which include a combination

of on and off the job learning and development activities.
Frameworks include technical knowledge, broader business skills and competence
requirements .
Higher Apprenticeships (HLAs) are designed to help develop higher skill levels, and
include qualifications at a level equivalent to the first stages of Higher Education.

The apprentice

Will put theory into

practice
Undertake work
based formal and
informal training

The employer

The training
provider

Employs the
apprentice for at least
30 hours per week

Provides technical
and competence
training

-meet with the

assessor every 10-12
weeks for a progress
review.

Manages the
relationship with the
relevant government
bodies

The
Government

Contributes 100% of
the cost of training for
16-18 year olds and
50% for those aged
between 19-24

Government Funding

A student is NOT eligible for funding if they have degree, even if its not
related to the apprenticeship
The funding criteria for the HLA are as follows:
UK/EU/EEA resident for at least the last 3 years
Work 30+ hours in a relevant role (in order to ensure they can complete the
work-based tasks)
Have a contract of employment
NOT have a Level 4 qualification or above
If aged 16-18 Fully funded all CIMA fees paid and
tuition costs covered
Aged 19-23 Part Funded - Employer contributes towards
tuition costs and has to pay all CIMAs fees

The CIMA HLA Pathway

The Level 4 CIMA HLA Pathway Framework will be an 18 month- 2

year programme and will consists of the following requirements:

Competence Qualification: Level 4 Diploma in Business

Accounting Practice
Knowledge Qualification: Level 4 Diploma in Business Accounting
(CIMAs Certificate In Business Accounting qualification)
Functional Skills in English at Level 2*
Functional Skills in Maths at Level 2*

*Apprentices exempt if GSCE Maths and English Grade A-C Awarded within the last five years

Knowledge Qualification
Certificate
ininBusiness
The Diploma
BusinessAccounting
Accounting

Competence Qualification
Diploma In Business Accounting Practice
The Competence Qualification will be made up of 12 work based units
1. Working in Teams Planning
2. Delivering Business Communication Activities
3. Managing Time Effectively
4. Evaluate and Improve Own Performance in a Business Environment
5. Spreadsheet Software
6. Presentation Software
7. Deliver a Presentation
8. Organising and Facilitating Meetings and Workshops
9. Managing Personal Obligations in Engagement Economics and Internal Financial
Management
10. Developing Commercial Awareness
11. Apply Management Accounting Techniques in the Workplace (NEW)
12. Understanding and Maintaining Effective Business Relationships (NEW)

The CIMA HLA Additional Information

1. Both the Knowledge based qualification (the five distinct Certificate Subjects) and the Competence
qualification (the 12 work based units) can be completed in the order and timeframes that best suit
the apprentice and their Employer.
2. The Competence qualification will be assessed through the gathering of work based evidence.
This will be organised and managed by your training provider.
3. The apprentice will be able to move on to the Professional stage of CIMA before completing the
apprenticeship if they want to speed up progression through the CIMA qualification.
4. An evening launch event is planned for 19 th September 2013 at Skyloft, London
5. In 2014 and beyond we will work with employers and other stakeholders to explore the opportunity
to create a level 7 apprenticeship that could incorporate a degree as well as the remaining CIMA
levels

Questions/Weblinks
The Level 4 Diploma in Business Accounting and Level 4 Diploma in Business Accounting
Practice qualifications have been accredited by Ofqual.
The qualification numbers are:
OCR Level 4 Diploma in Business Accounting - 601/0616/5
OCR Level 4 Diploma in Business Accounting Practice - 601/0617/7
Both can now be viewed on the Register of Regulated Qualifications
http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/ via http://tinyurl.com/pesehlh

For more details please contact Ben Lambert

07736 742882
ben.lambert@cimaglobal.com