This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the EPAO has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
Prepare, co-ordinate and implement tasks that support the creation of taxation returns and their supporting documentation and statements.
This occupation is found in organisations of all sizes whether small, medium, large or global. This occupation is present in public, private, and third sector organisations. Professional taxation technicians may work in the taxation, accounts or finance department of an organisation or a professional accountancy and taxation advisory firm.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to prepare, co-ordinate and implement tasks that support the creation of taxation returns and their supporting documentation and statements. Professional taxation technicians apply their technical knowledge and skills to specific tasks within a taxation team. Tasks may include supervising junior taxation assistants and others to deliver processes that meet stakeholder needs as required by government tax regimes. They may also assist senior tax advisors, accountants, management and other stakeholders by providing timely financial and taxation data and reports. They ensure compliance with internal controls regarding the reporting of taxation. This includes tasks that involve interactions with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), applying legislation and complying with regulations, ethical and professional codes.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. This could include junior colleagues, senior managers, clients and customers, suppliers, lenders, government agencies and auditors. They take a risk-based view of transactions and data to identify key tax risks and help to mitigate those risks. A Professional taxation technician will work alone as well as in, or supervising, a team. A typical day could include being in an office overseeing data entry into government tax returns and supporting documentation, tax reconciliations, identifying and pursuing overpayments and repayments of tax and forecasting and reporting on tax liabilities both outstanding and likely to arise. They may be involved in researching and resolving taxation problems. It is essential that people in this occupation are comfortable using digital tools and keeping up to date with changes in the occupation.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing and quality assuring tax returns and supporting documents and statements. They provide key reliable taxation data on a day-to-day basis.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
This apprenticeship has a mandatory qualification to complete. You will complete the training for the qualification during the first 24 months of the apprenticeship. The final assessment for the qualification is integrated into the apprenticeship. This means that your final exam will take place during the EPA period and count towards both the apprenticeship and the qualification.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 12 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass all assessment methods for the EPA, you will be eligible for your qualification certificate and will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
For the professional taxation technician, the qualification required is:
Association of Taxation Technicians Qualification
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Knowledge and skills test
You will complete one of the following exams from the Association of Taxation Technicians Qualification:
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with Association of Taxation Technicians for member
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 08/05/2025 | Not set |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence