Course Overview

The main responsibility of an Accounts Assistant is to support the finance team in day-to-day accounting operations. This includes tasks such as raising, sending, and processing invoices, reconciling company accounts, and following up on overdue payments.

Accounts Assistants play a key role in the accounting department by performing essential clerical and administrative duties. These include recording financial transactions, assisting in report and budget preparation, handling communications with clients and suppliers, verifying financial data, maintaining records, and supporting senior finance staff in routine accounting activities.

This training course introduces participants to the fundamental skills required to understand core accounting functions. It provides practical insights into working alongside senior accountants, using real-world examples to build confidence and competence in accounting tasks.

As a preparation programme, it is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to pursue relevant accounting certifications in the future, if they choose to do so.

Agenda

Day — 1 Introduction to Accounting

• Understanding the importance of accounting and the complete accounting cycle in business operations
• Overview of key accounting regulatory bodies that govern financial reporting standards
• Introduction to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and their role in global financial reporting
• Understanding Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and their application in accounting practices
• Awareness of updates and changes in accounting rules and standards
• Identifying key stakeholders and users of accounting information, such as management, investors, regulators, and creditors
• Understanding different company structures and business activities and how they influence accounting treatment
• Learning core accounting principles and guidelines that form the foundation of financial reporting
• Exploring key qualitative characteristics of accounting information, such as relevance, reliability, and comparability
• Understanding how accounting principles and guidelines influence the preparation and presentation of financial statements

Day — 2 Analysing Transactions

• Identifying appropriate account names for financial transactions
• Classifying accounts into their correct categories (assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses)
• Interpreting account movements and understanding how transactions affect financial positions
• Understanding the principles of double-entry accounting
• Applying the concepts of debits and credits in recording transactions
• Recognising the importance and structure of T-accounts in bookkeeping
• Learning the 7 rules of debits and credits for accurate recording of transactions
• Understanding the role of sub-ledgers and the general ledger in financial record-keeping
• Preparing a trial balance to verify the accuracy of recorded financial transactions

Day — 3 Adjustment Process

• Adjusting assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses to ensure accurate financial reporting
• Understanding accrued liabilities and expenses, as well as accrued revenues
• Identifying and recording deferred assets, expenses, and revenues
• Preparing the adjusted trial balance after making all necessary adjustments
• Making adjustments for contra-accounts such as accumulated depreciation and allowances

Closing Process

• Understanding the four key closing entries used at the end of the accounting period
• Using a 10-column worksheet to organise adjustments and financial data
• Preparing core financial statements, including:
  • Income Statement
  • Balance Sheet
• Preparing and understanding the closing trial balance to complete the accounting cycle and reset accounts for the next period

Day — 4 Assets Accounting and Reporting

• Understanding the accounting and presentation of cash, petty cash, and performing cash reconciliation
• Managing accounts receivable and accounting for allowances for doubtful debts
• Applying methods for inventory costing and valuation
• Recording, tracking, and maintaining fixed assets in the accounting system
• Calculating and recording depreciation and accumulated depreciation
• Understanding the accounting treatment of intangible assets and other non-current assets

Day — 5 Current Liabilities and Accruals

• Understanding accounts payable and notes payable and their role in short-term obligations
• Recording and managing accrued liabilities for expenses incurred but not yet paid
• Differentiating between short-term and long-term loans and their accounting treatment

Shareholders’ Equity

• Understanding share capital and its components in business financing
• Recording and interpreting retained earnings as accumulated profits over time
• Exploring government and management reserves and their purpose in financial stability and internal allocation of profits

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Certified Accounts Assistant Program, participants will be able to:

• Provide effective support to the Accounting Department in day-to-day financial operations
• Perform basic administrative and office tasks, including filing, data entry, answering calls, and processing mail
• Handle communication with clients and vendors through phone, email, and in-person interactions
• Process financial transactions, issue payments, and update ledgers, budgets, and accounting records accurately
• Assist in preparing basic financial reports for internal use
• Support audit processes by assisting with fact-checking, resolving discrepancies, and providing required documentation
• Understand and define the accounting cycle and its key stages
• Recognise how accounting impacts daily business operations and decision-making
• Identify and understand the main components of financial statements
• Perform each step of the accounting closing cycle effectively
• Use up-to-date accounting terminology to improve workplace performance and communication in finance roles

Who Should Attend

The Certified Accounts Assistant Course is ideal for:

• Individuals who already have a basic understanding of accounting principles
• Those looking to begin a career working with accountants in accounting and payroll roles
• Learners seeking additional training to strengthen their accounting knowledge and practical skills
• Anyone interested in building a foundation in accounting as a field of study or future profession