Accounting technicians may be employed in industry, commerce, or the public sector and are recognised internationally.

• They prepare the financial information which professional accountants or business managers use when making decisions. They may be the only financially trained member of staff in small enterprises.
• They undertake a wide range of accountancy and financial tasks and tend to start their journey in a finance support role.

Typical work activities

Depending on the route taken, qualification and subsequent work experience, an accounting technician may cover a range of roles including collation, checking and analysis of financial information

Responsibilities in all company sizes would include:

• assisting in the preparation of accounts;
• dealing  with basic book keeping;
• processing and paying invoices;
• recording receipts and payments;
• preparing and checking ledger balances and other monthly and yearly accounts;
• completing and submitting tax returns, VAT returns and National Insurance contributions;
• handling company expenses and payroll systems that pay wages and salaries;
• using computerised accounting systems.

 With experience, you might take on supervisor responsibilities and more complex tasks, such as:

• preparing financial reports;
• planning and budget control;
• helping qualified accountants with accounts inspections (audits)
• Different financial departments require different specialist knowledge. Accounting technicians can develop specific skills depending on which area of finance they work in.

Self-employed accounting technicians provide a range of accountancy services to businesses. These tend to be in a specialist area of accounting and may include:

• advising on budgets;
• advising on taxation issues and ensuring compliance with taxation legislation;
• calculating end-of-year accounts;
• consultancy.