Prepare for the future role of accounting and finance in a digital age, while making connections with leading firms in the digital accounting sector.

About the apprenticeship

Course length: typically 3 years, part-time, plus 4 months end-point assessment

Start date: March 2025

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Hons) Digital Accounting and Financial Management

How much it costs: funded through the employer

Accredited by: Institute of Financial Accountants for immediate level and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Exemptions 

Course summary

• Combine academic learning with practical experience to gain the latest knowledge in digital accounting
• Learn the industry-ready skills and experience you need for a successful accounting career in a digital age
• Gain professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

The role of the accountant is changing, with an increasing need for digital skills and strategic expertise. This course has been designed with leading industry figures to teach the skills you will need in the future.

You’ll delve into financial reporting, taxation, auditing and management accounting, learning to analyse and interpret financial data using a wide range of industry-recognised software.

Alongside these digital skills you’ll learn the soft skills you need for a successful career, and gain networks, connections and direct exposure to leading firms in the digital accounting sector.

This course meets the accounting finance manager (integrated) apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

This course is designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You’ll study in our double AACSB-accredited Sheffield Business School, rated in the top 6% globally for excellence in teaching and research.

You will progress through the course following successful achievement of assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete the course.

You will also complete an end-point assessment towards the end of the apprenticeship.

You will learn through: 

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Digital skills sessions
• Regular formative feedback
• Practice-based applied learning
• Self-managed study

Applied learning

All three years of the course are structured around applied learning, linking your studies to real-world situations. You will use

• Accounting software including a SAP lab
• Bloomberg terminals
• Our financial trading floor
• An immersive video room to practise decision-making in a realistic work environment
• Guest lectures from industry

We have extensive links with industry, including an employer advisory board, and we were awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Campus facilities

You spend most of your apprenticeship working for your employer. When you are at university, you’ll study at our City Campus in the heart of Sheffield, close to transport links.

Entry requirements

Throughout the course, you spend at least 20% of your working hours at university. You can be an existing employee looking to develop your career, or new to the business.

You must:

• Be over 18
• Not be in full time education
• Have the right to abode in the UK
• Meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

Mathematics and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C).

If you don't have this yet, you'll need to achieve this level before you take your end-point assessment. 

Additional qualifications

One of the following:

• 112 UCAS points, including at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent

For post-experience applications, you need one A level and relevant work experience. If you don’t have A levels, we may consider suitable work experience instead.

Modules

The programme adopts a blended learning approach with modules delivered through a combination of lectures, class-based seminars, practical work and site visits.

Year one

• Reflective and personal development skills 
• Foundations of financial accounting
• Audit governance and ethics 
• Fundamentals of management accounting

Year two

• Reflective skills for professional apprentice performance 
• Applied financial accounting 
• Taxation 
• Applied management accounting WBI

Year three

• Reflective practice for professional development 
• Corporate reporting
• Strategic management accounting 
• End-point assessment