HNC/HND Accounting

The HN Accounting qualifications are respected qualifications and provide candidates with the competences to meet the requirements of employers recruiting accounting staff. In addition they enable candidates to progress to further academic and professional qualifications either prior to taking up an accounting position or in parallel with it.
Prior verification
Find out more about our Prior Verification service
IFRS 16 Leases Guidance
Guidance - IFRS 16 Leases - August 2019 (79 KB)
Blog
Keep up to date and engage with all things Accounting, Administration, Business and Financial Services through our blog.
Accounting, Administration, Business and Financial Services blog
Update letters
Internal Assessment Guidance 2020-21
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Why deliver this qualification
The HNC and HND Accounting Group Awards are based on standard accounting practice. They have up-to-date relevance and appeal for those seeking employment in the accounting sector.
The qualifications can be delivered flexibly to meet the needs of candidates — eg through open or distance learning (as long as there is access to the appropriate software).
Who does this qualification suit
The HNC and HND qualifications in Accounting are designed for people who wish to take up a career in accounting and/or financial administration, or progress to further study. They are suitable both for employees and for those who are not yet employed in the sector.
Access
Access will be at the discretion of the centre. Examples of appropriate formal entry qualifications are:
- any two relevant National Courses at Higher together with three Standard Grade passes at level 3 or above
- an SVQ Level 2 in Accounting or other relevant area
- Units from previous HNC/HND Accounting frameworks
- different combinations of relevant National Qualifications, vocational qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable, as would suitable vendor qualifications at an appropriate level
Candidates should have some prior knowledge of numeracy and communication, although formal qualifications may not be necessary if suitable experience had been gained informally or through work experience.
Mature candidates with suitable work experience may be accepted for entry provided the enrolling centre believes that they are likely to benefit from undertaking the award.
Candidate Information
HNC Accounting
The HNC Accounting will give you skills and knowledge in financial accounting and cost accounting using manual and computerised methods, including:
- preparing, analysing and reporting on financial data
- practical IT skills using a range of software packages
- integrate financial and costing data
During the course, you will develop study and research skills and interpersonal skills. You will also have the opportunity to develop the Core Skills of Communication, Numeracy, Information Technology, Problem Solving and Working with Others at SCQF Level 6.
HND Accounting
The HND Accounting award is designed for those who wish to take up a career in accounting and/or financial administration within a range of business organisations.
You will develop the following skills: researching, evaluating and interpreting financial data; applying relevant legislation and accounting standards; providing information for decision making; integrating financial and management accounting with relevant business taxation.
Progression
The HNC is aimed at those employed, or wishing to become employed in roles such as accounts assistant, trainee accountant and financial administrator.
It is possible to progress from the HNC/HND Accounting to degree courses at various universities. Check with the relevant institutions before selecting optional Units.
With relevant options, the courses provide exemptions from examination papers for some professional accounting bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Approval
Centres with devolved authority are eligible to seek approval through their own internal approval process.
Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact the Business Development Team for guidance.
Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements as outlined in the guide to approval.
How to assess
Ongoing internal course assessment will apply. Specific information on the Evidence Requirements and approaches to assessment are contained within each Unit.
Candidates will also be assessed in relation to a Graded Unit/s towards the end of their programme. The purpose of the Graded Units is to assess the candidate’s ability to retain and integrate the knowledge and skills gained in the mandatory Units; and to assess that the candidate has met the principal aims of the Group Award.
The Graded Units are:
- Accounting: Graded Unit 1 — F8KE 34
- Accounting: Graded Unit 2 — F8KF 35
- Accounting: Graded Unit 3 — F8KG 35
Where can you take this course?
Ushare open learning resources
Group Award Specification
Qualification Verification Summary Reports
Qualification Verification Summary Reports were formerly known as Internal Assessment Reports.
- 2019 Accounting and Finance (181 KB)
- 2018 Accounting and Finance (334 KB)
- 2017 Accounting and Finance (231 KB)
Guidance on updating Units with Tax Content
SOLAR formative assessment
OpenAssess (www.sqasolar.org.uk/openassess ) is a facility which enables the delivery of formative assessments to support learning within SQA Qualifications. It is part of the SOLAR suite of applications that SQA use to deliver assessment across a range of qualifications. We have released a limited number of formative assessments to support Business, Accounting and Administration and IT Higher National awards. These cover topics such as Meeting skills, employee motivation techniques and Payroll.
The full list of all assessments available through SOLAR, both formative and summative is available on the SOLAR website at www.sqasolar.org.uk
Additional Information | Assessment Title | Unit Title | Unit Number | Topics covered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Topic-based formative questions covering all 5 outcomes within this unit. 12 questions | Cost Accounting | Cost Accounting | F7JR 36 | All |
Topic-based formative questions covering the first 2 outcomes within this unit. 7 questions | Recording Financial Information | Recording Financial Information | F7JV 34 | 1, 2 |
Topic-based formative questions covering all 4 outcomes within this unit. 12 questions | Management Accounting using IT | Management Accounting using Information Technology | F7JS 34 | All |
Topic-based formative questions covering all 4 outcomes within this unit. 10 questions | Preparing Financial Statements | Preparing Financial Statements | F7JT 34 | All |
Error Tolerance Guidance
- Error Tolerance Guidance for HN Accounting Units (95 KB)
July 2017
Events
Network Event – March 2020
- SQA Update (1.81 MB)
- Senior External Verifier – Review of the Year (0.97 MB)
- IFRS 16 Leases Presentation (0.98 MB)
- Graded Unit 2 - Dragon’s Den Presentation Part 1 (1.74 MB)
- Graded Unit 2 - Dragon's Den Presentation Part 2 (1.98 MB)
- Graded Unit 2 - Dragon's Den Presentation Part 3 (32 KB)
- Delegate Comments on Units - Scoping Review (16 KB)
- HN Scoping Review Update (1.77 MB)
Qualifications Support Team (QST) - Action Grids
Mapping to AAT's Accounting Qualifications
Related links
Related Information
- A guide to HNs (406 KB)
- HN Catalogue (2.03 MB)
- Changes to unit/group award and frameworks
- HN Annual Update 2020 (362 KB)
- Updated conditions of assessment for HN Graded Units - August 2018 (49 KB)
Contact Information
- Candidate Enquiries
- 0345 279 1000
- Centre Enquiries
- 0303 333 0330