Business leaders welcome new AAT degree apprenticeship 

Senior business leaders have welcomed a new degree apprenticeship, delivered by the University of Exeter and AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), which will “bridge the divide between traditional finance roles and the demands of an evolving sector”.

Last week business leaders visited the University of Exeter for the induction of students on the new Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme. 

The programme offers both academic and professional accounting and finance qualifications.

Apprentices will work towards the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting in the first year of the programme, making them “immediately ready” for a range of finance and accounting roles.

After three years the apprentices receive a BSc in Applied Finance from Exeter, and completion of the programme exempts them from ACCA and CIMA exams.  

Apprentices work in full-time jobs while they study, so by the time they complete all their formal qualifications they  have also undertaken three years of work experience.

Kristian Leese, UK financial controller at Vanguard Asset Management Ltd said this approach “helps us build a pipeline of professionals who are not only qualified but also deeply aligned with our business needs and culture”.

He said: “In our sector, we often see gaps in areas such as regulatory interpretation, financial systems integration, and cross-functional communication, and the Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship is well-positioned to address these gaps by equipping apprentices with both the theoretical foundation and the applied skills needed to navigate complex reporting environments. 

“It also helps bridge the divide between traditional finance roles and the evolving demands of digital transformation and compliance.”

Rachael Johnstone, head of Degree Partnerships at the University of Exeter, said: We are proud to be building an inclusive route into accounting and finance that equips apprentices to thrive from the start thanks to our special partnership with AAT. 

“We have worked closely with our employer partners to ensure the programme is informed by – and aligns to – modern business practice and we are confident our inaugural ‘innovation cohort’ will graduate with the skills, experience and confidence to shape the future of the sector.”

Claire Bennison, executive director, Customer, Partnerships and Innovation at AAT, added: “As a result of our close working partnership with the University of Exeter, It’s clear our Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship has the potential to be transformational to students and employers alike. 

“Not only that, it’s also a strong example of how, by working together, we find different solutions to addressing the skills shortage across the UK, and open up access to careers in finance. It was inspiring to meet the first cohort of students and hear the belief from their employers in this degree apprenticeship as a way to attract talent and recognise early on, to support their development and build a skilled workforce to meet industry needs and drive economic growth”