CPT_26_22 Professional Accountancy Apprenticeship training programme

National Audit Office

Published: Aug 7, 2026

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Source: uk_fts

About This Opportunity

This is a consulting contract in the audit and accounting and education and training sectors, with a focus on External Audit and Accounting. Located in United Kingdom, Europe, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums, with an estimated budget of GBP 5.0 million.

Published through UK FTS - Find a Tender Service, a national government procurement portal. Public procurement tenders follow the country's national bidding regulations and may have specific eligibility and documentation requirements for consulting in the audit and accounting sector. Consulting assignments are typically evaluated with a strong emphasis on the technical proposal, including the methodology and qualifications of key experts. Shortlisted firms may be invited to submit financial proposals in a second stage. This is an advance notice — the formal tender is expected to be published shortly. Interested parties can use this time to prepare documentation and identify potential partners.

Description

The National Audit Office (NAO) is the UK’s independent public spending watchdog, supporting Parliament in holding government to account and improving public services through high-quality audit work. The NAO intends to re-procure its Professional Accountancy and Apprenticeship Training contract to support tuition delivery for graduate and school-leaver trainees undertaking ICAEW qualifications, including ACA examinations. The procurement is expected to launch in late autumn 2026. The NAO is seeking an experienced, accredited training provider to deliver professional accountancy tuition and apprenticeship training for the following expected routes: •Level 6 Digital Financial Audit apprenticeships for graduates and school leavers, delivered over 48 months. This route combines the 12-month Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) with a 36-month Level 6 applied degree apprenticeship in Digital Technology; and •Level 7 Accountancy Professional apprenticeships for eligible school leavers, delivered over 54 months. •ACA Professional qualification route for eligible graduates, delivered over 36 months. The new procurement is expected to cover Level 6 and Level 7 apprenticeship training only. While Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician apprenticeships are currently delivered under the NAO's existing arrangements and will continue with the incumbent supplier, they are not intended to form part of the new procurement. The contract may include scope for the NAO to introduce, offer or develop additional related apprenticeship routes or qualification programmes at different levels during the term, subject to business need, funding availability and agreement with the appointed provider. The estimated total value of the new procurement is up to £6 million (inclusive of VAT) over a five-year term. Although Level 4 delivery is not intended to form part of this new procurement, the estimated value has been set to accommodate the anticipated Level 6 and Level 7 apprenticeship routes, potential changes in demand, and the possible introduction of additional apprenticeship pathways, qualification programmes, or related services during the contract term. The anticipated contract term is three years, with an option to extend for up to a further two years, giving a maximum duration of five years.

Data provenance

This notice is sourced from UK FTS - Find a Tender Service and was originally published on August 7, 2026. Last refreshed today. Reference: 075315-2026. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.

About National Audit Office

National Audit Office has issued 141 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 1 currently open and 136 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Information & Communication Technology, Consulting, and Audit, Accounting & Risk. Tenders span 2 countries including Malta and United Kingdom. Notices are distributed via UK Contracts Finder, UK FTS - Find a Tender Service, and Malta eTenders. Most recent publication: August 7, 2026.

Frequently asked questions about this tender

Who is the contracting authority?

This notice was issued by National Audit Office in United Kingdom. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.

What type of contract is this?

This is a Consulting contract in the Audit, Accounting & Risk sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.

What is the estimated budget?

The estimated contract value is £5,000,000 - £5,000,000. Bidders should ensure their proposals are consistent with this range and account for any local taxes and contract execution costs.

Where will the contract be performed?

The contract is for delivery in United Kingdom. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.

How can I submit a bid?

Visit UK FTS - Find a Tender Service to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions. Quote reference 075315-2026 when communicating with the contracting authority.