Hiring and Sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians (SOC Code 3533)

Financial and Accounting Technicians, classified under SOC Code 3533, are essential support professionals within the finance sector, focusing on maintaining accurate financial records and assisting accounting practices. Their roles encompass a range of critical responsibilities, including:

• Providing Accounting Support: Collaborate with finance staff to ensure that client and supplier accounts remain accurate and up-to-date.
• Monitoring Systems: Oversee accounting systems to ensure effective maintenance of accounts, identifying and flagging any potential issues.
• Processing Paperwork: Handle the processing and filing of essential documentation related to financial transactions.
• Managing Transactions: Responsible for managing petty cash and card transactions to facilitate daily financial activities.
• Bookkeeping and Payroll: Ensure efficient bookkeeping practices and oversee the payroll process, including the accurate processing of holiday, sick leave, maternity pay, and travel expenses.

With the increasing complexity of financial regulations and the need for precise financial reporting, the demand for skilled Financial and Accounting Technicians is on the rise. Consequently, many organizations are actively seeking qualified professionals, including those eligible for work in the UK under the immigration system. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the hiring and sponsorship process for Financial and Accounting Technicians.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Financial and accounting technicians?

SOC Code 3533 refers to Financial and Accounting Technicians who provide essential support in maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring efficient accounting practices. Their responsibilities can include:

• Accounting support: Assisting finance staff in maintaining accurate client and supplier accounts.
• Monitoring systems: Keeping track of accounting systems to ensure accounts are effectively managed and identifying potential issues.
• Paperwork management: Processing and filing necessary financial paperwork to maintain organized financial records.
• Petty cash management: Overseeing petty cash and card transactions to ensure proper handling of funds.
• Bookkeeping and payroll: Managing the bookkeeping process and ensuring timely processing of holiday, sick leave, maternity, and travel payments.

Financial and Accounting Technicians are vital in supporting financial operations, ensuring compliance, and contributing to the overall efficiency of financial management within an organization.

Eligibility to Hire Financial and accounting technicians (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Financial and accounting technicians must possess a range of skills and qualifications to provide effective support in an accounting environment. These may include:

• Educational Background: A degree or diploma in accounting, finance, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: Proven experience in an accounting support role or similar position.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in accounting software and systems, including familiarity with bookkeeping practices and payroll processing.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to accurately monitor and maintain client and supplier accounts, ensuring all transactions are recorded correctly.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Capability to identify and flag potential accounting issues proactively.
• Organizational Skills: Strong skills in managing paperwork, petty cash, and card transactions in an orderly manner.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication abilities to liaise with finance staff and address any discrepancies or queries.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3533 and that the technician’s experience and capabilities meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians under SOC Code 3533.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Financial and accounting technicians, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Financial and accounting technicians under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Financial and accounting technicians. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Financial and accounting technicians applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorshipguide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Financial and accounting technicians’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Financial and accounting technicians can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Financial and accounting technicians

Before the Financial and accounting technicians begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Financial and accounting technicians’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Financial and accounting technicians holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Financial and accounting technicians’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Financial and accounting technicians’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Financial and accounting technicianss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians

Sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians under SOC Code 3533 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Financial and accounting technicians under SOC Code 3533 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.