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Rob Alder, Head of Apprenticeships and Relationships at ACCA, explains how public sector employers can use tailored accounting apprenticeships to attract, develop and retain the finance talent they need for the future.
Public sector organisations are under increasing pressure to do more with less. At the same time as managing tighter budgets and growing demands on services, they must also attract, develop and retain the skilled finance professionals needed to support effective decision-making and deliver value for communities.
In accountancy and finance, apprenticeships are increasingly helping employers build capability by recruiting new talent and developing existing staff. In the public sector, they have become a popular route for upskilling employees, with programmes spanning the full career pathway, from accounts assistant roles (Level 2) through to Chartered Accountant training (Level 7).
These programmes are particularly attractive to larger organisations because they enable them to make effective use of Apprenticeship Levy funding, which employers with an annual payroll of more than £3 million are required to contribute. Levy funds can only be used to support apprenticeship training, making them a valuable investment in workforce development.
The programmes combine a recognised professional qualification, such as ACCA, with the practical skills and behaviours needed to succeed in today’s finance profession. Alongside technical knowledge, apprentices develop capabilities such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability – all essential attributes for modern finance professionals operating in increasingly complex and fast-changing environments.
What’s involved?
ACCA apprenticeships combine on-the-job experience with a globally recognised professional qualification, helping organisations develop the technical knowledge, professional skills and behaviours needed in today’s finance teams.
Available at Level 4 in England and Wales, Level 7 in England and its qualification is included within the Foundation and Graduate Apprentices in Scotland, they support both new entrants and existing employees to build successful careers in accountancy and finance while contributing value from day one.
Apprenticeships have changed in the past year. The biggest change has been the restriction of Level 7 funding which has resulted in many public sector organisations looking at different ways fund their training.
One option is to use a Level 4 Apprenticeship to part-fund ACCA and use our tailored programme to ensure the learning is relevant to their role within the public services.
Tailored to the public sector
ACCA’s Level 4 Accounting Technician Apprenticeship in England can now be tailored specifically for the public sector. It includes the technical, professional and ethical skills all finance professionals need to thrive in public finance roles.
By listening to the needs of the public sector, we have been able to add our Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM) to the Level 4 Apprenticeship to add tailored content to the programme.
The Cert PFM provides learners with an overview of the public sector context and teaches the core foundations of public financial management including planning and budgeting, accounting & reporting and audit, governance and oversight.
ACCA Certificate in Public Finance Management
The certificate is added to our apprenticeship to ensure students gain knowledge and skills linked to their roles within the public sector.
- It is studied online and can be completed in approximately 40 hours.
- All course materials and test included.
- It can be studied as part of the apprenticeship or on its own.
Learn more about the Certificate in Public Finance Management >
Content of the Certificate in Public Finance Management
The ACCA Level 4 Apprenticeship, enhanced with the Certificate in Public Financial Management, provides public sector employers with a practical and cost-effective way to develop finance capability across their organisation.
Delivered by leading training providers First Intuition and Kaplan, the programme combines a globally recognised accounting qualification with specialist public finance knowledge, helping learners understand not only the technical aspects of finance, but also the unique environment in which public sector organisations operate.
The programme is already supporting finance professionals across central government, local government and the NHS, demonstrating its relevance across a wide range of public sector settings.
For employers, the benefits go beyond technical training. The programme helps build a stronger pipeline of finance talent, supports succession planning and equips employees with the skills needed to navigate increasing financial complexity, resource constraints and demands for accountability.
By adding the Certificate in Public Financial Management, apprentices gain a practical understanding of planning and budgeting, financial reporting, governance, audit and oversight. This ensures they can contribute more effectively to organisational decision-making and the delivery of high-quality public services.
At a time when public sector organisations are under pressure to do more with less, investing in finance capability has never been more important. The programme develops not only technical expertise, but also the commercial awareness, professional judgement, ethical mindset and adaptability that modern finance professionals need to succeed.
ACCA brings decades of experience in developing finance professionals. With a strong presence across the public sector in the UK and globally, we understand the challenges organisations face and are committed to helping employers build the skilled, future-ready finance teams they need.