Finance staff in the NHS will usually work towards a finance-related qualification. You can either

• enter as a trainee and study while you work
• take a relevant finance qualification and then apply to join the NHS

To enter as a finance trainee, you usually need at least 2 GCSEs including English and maths, or equivalent. Employers may also ask for IT skills. They may expect some customer service or office experience. There are modern apprenticeships available in finance departments. Joining at this entry level could lead to you studying the AAT qualification, and once qualified, you could look to progressing to one of the CCAB qualifications.

If you join the NHS with a finance qualification this could be:

• an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Certificate or Diploma
• a degree in, for example, accounting or accounting and finance

For an accounting degree, you usually need:

• two or three A levels, including maths, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C or 9 -4), including English and maths

or alternative qualifications, including:

• BTEC or HNC which includes maths or business
• relevant vocational qualifications
• access course which includes maths
• equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications

However, each institution sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check carefully.

At this entry level you may then go on to study a professional accountancy qualification. It is important to check with your employer regarding the accountancy qualifications that they support, and this may include:

• an accountancy qualification awarded by one of the member bodies of the CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies) CIPFA, ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA

If you have a degree in a non-finance subject, you can apply for the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme and work towards professional CCAB accountancy qualifications. Those on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme currently study the CIPFA qualification.

If you already hold a CCAB accountancy qualification, you will be able to enter the finance structure at a higher entry point, and will be supported to achieve the continuing professional development requirements of your institution.