End Point Assessments (EPAs)

End Point Assessments (EPAs) are the method of continuous assessment applied within the apprenticeship standards.

AAT is an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). We offer EPAs consisting of two parts.

Part 1: An online assessment

This gives the apprentice the opportunity to tackle a series of business-related tasks through simulation in line with typical role activities. At Levels 3 and 4 this requirement makes use of our synoptic assessments. The Level 2 online assessment is the In-Tray assessment.

Part 2: A reflective element supported by a portfolio

This is used to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined within the apprenticeship standard. Evidence for this element is gathered from the workplace during the on-programme learning. The apprentice must then reflect on their portfolio of evidence, through:

• a written statement (Level 4 only)
• professional discussion (Levels 3 and 4)
• a structured interview (Level 2 only).

EPA assessment venues

Existing training providers

• If you're already approved as a training provider for any of the Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant, Level 3 Assistant Accountant or Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician apprenticeships, your main contact can apply for approval for the other levels using the online approval service, available via the Centre Services on the MyAAT dashboard.
• If you're already approved as a training provider but you don't offer any of the Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant, Level 3 Assistant Accountant or Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician apprenticeships, you'll need to complete the EPA centre registration form (PDF) and return it to aatquality.assurance@aat.org.uk.

You must be on the register of apprenticeship training providers to deliver apprenticeships.

At the point of application, you'll need to confirm which apprenticeship levels you would like approval for and provide additional information, including an estimate of the number of apprentices that will be taking an EPA through your centre during the first and subsequent years of operation.

All applications from existing AAT approved training providers and assessment venues will be reviewed by AAT within five working days and there will be no charge for this service.

If you don't have approval to offer Q2022 accounting qualifications (or are only offering AAT’s short course qualification) but want to offer AQ2016 as part of the on-programme learning component of the apprenticeship, you'll need to make a separate application for approval to deliver our accounting qualifications. 

New training providers

If you’re not currently approved by AAT as a training provider or assessment venue, please register as an EPA centre.

AAT will review all applications within ten working days and there will be no charge for this service. 

If you'd also like to offer the Q2022 qualifications as part of the on-programme learning component of the apprenticeship, you'll need to make a separate application for approval to deliver our accounting qualifications. Once you’ve been approved to deliver Q2022 you’ll be able to use the online EPA centre registration service. 

Registering students with AAT for EPAs

Training providers are responsible for registering any students onto the EPA for Assistant Accountant and Professional Accounting Technician apprenticeships. You must register apprentices within three months of Individualised Learner Record (ILR) apprentice registration.

All registrations are made through the Smart End Point Assessment (SEPA) platform. Information on how to do this can be found in the Assistant Accountant EPA specification and Professional Accounting Technician EPA specification documents. Once you've been registered as an EPA centre, your EPA contact will be given access to SEPA so they can register apprentices.

Scheduling

For an EPA to be scheduled:

• the apprentice must have completed a minimum of 12 months' on-programme learning
• the portfolio of evidence needs to be signed off by the provider and employer before submission
• the apprentice must be deemed competent in relation to knowledge, skills and behaviours.

The synoptic components of the EPA at Levels 3 and 4 are scheduled in ATLAS Cloud. 

The portfolio reflective component of the EPA is managed through SEPA. Once an apprentice has been registered they can access the platform, upload portfolio evidence and review their details.

Training providers use the platform to:

• confirm the gateway has been met
• schedule the portfolio reflective components
• review results for both components of the EPA.

Assessment and grading

The synoptic assessment and reflective element are marked by AAT, and results will be released within six weeks of the assessment date. The manner in which the portfolio and reflective component is assessed will vary depending on the level of apprenticeship and the chosen reflective piece.

Apprentices will achieve either a Pass or Distinction for their apprenticeship on completion of both elements of their EPA.

Certification

Apprentices will receive certificates based on their apprenticeship journey.

Students studying AQ2016 qualifications as part of their on-programme learning and doing their EPA with AAT will receive their AAT qualification certificate once they've successfully completed all assessments. Once the student has completed their EPA, ie the synoptic and the portfolio and reflective, AAT will pass their details on to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), who will issue the student with their apprenticeship certificate.

Students not studying Q2022 qualifications as part of their on-programme learning, but still sitting their EPA with AAT, will receive their apprenticeship certificate from the ESFA on successful completion of both elements of the EPA.

AAT does not issue the apprenticeship certificate.