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Key details

Course area
Business and Accounts
Student type
Courses for 19+ students
Course type
Part-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 2

Course introduction

It is no longer possible to apply/enrol for this course as there are no course dates available. Please check back later as we may be offering it again in the future.

Delivery:
Classes are delivered weekly, with additional online resources and textbooks provided to support independent and follow-up study outside of class.

About AAT
AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) is the UK’s leading professional body for accountancy and finance qualifications. Their qualifications are practical, internationally recognised, and open doors to careers across a wide range of industries worldwide.

Who is this course for?
This qualification is ideal for students who want to:

  • Develop core accountancy skills alongside transferable business and personal skills.
  • Enter the workplace for the first time or change careers, with additional support in upskilling to start or re-enter a business environment.

What you will learn
By completing the qualification, students will:

  • Gain skills in double-entry bookkeeping and basic costing.
  • Understand purchase, sales and general ledgers.
  • Build familiarity with accounting software.
  • Develop the professional behaviours, communication skills, IT skills and business awareness needed to work effectively in accountancy roles.

Programme focus

  • Preparing learners for employment across a variety of accounting-related roles.
  • Building knowledge, understanding and skills from an accounting perspective.

Units include:

  1. Introduction to Bookkeeping
    • Covers manual and digital bookkeeping systems, processes, and associated documents.
    • Introduces the principles underpinning double-entry bookkeeping.
    • Percentage contribution to qualification grade: 25%
  2. Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
    • Explores control accounts, journals, and reconciliations.
    • Teaches preparation of VAT control accounts, receivables, and payables ledgers.
    • Covers journal entries, error correction, and redrafting of the trial balance.
    • Percentage contribution to qualification grade: 25%
  3. Principles of Costing
    • Introduces costing systems as vital sources of information.
    • Shows how costing supports management in planning, decision-making, and cost control.
    • Percentage contribution to qualification grade: 20%
  4. The Business Environment
    • Provides knowledge of the legal system and principles of contract law.
    • Explores the implications of starting a business and the resulting responsibilities.
    • Examines organisational structures and the role of the finance function.
    • Percentage contribution to qualification grade: 30%

Please note this course is for learners aged 19+ only.

Additional costs include course materials, the first exam and registration fees for AAT. Any exam re-sits will need to be paid for separately.

Course information

AAT Certificate in Accounting

Entry requirements for this course are:

  • You must be aged 19+
  • GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of grade grade 4/C (or Functional Skills at Level 2). If you do not have this, you will be asked to undertake English and maths assessments to determine the level you are working at. If the results of the tests show that your English and maths skills are below Level 2, you will need to enrol for either GCSE or Functional Skills to support your studies.

The four units are assessed individually through computer-based end-of-unit assessments at the City Hub. This qualification also includes a synoptic assessment that draws on and assesses knowledge and understanding from across a number of units.

The finance, accountancy, business and communication skills developed in the AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting can lead to employment as:

  • An accounts administrator
  • An accounts assistant
  • An accounts payable clerk
  • A trainee accounting technician

You can also progress onto the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting.

Additional costs include course materials, the first exam and registration fees for AAT. Any exam re-sits will need to be paid for separately.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Book-keepers, Payroll Managers and Wages Clerks

Potential Earnings

£41,478.26

Average Earnings

£24,611.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Accounting and Finance

People in these occupations prepare and record accounts of financial dealings within businesses and provide financial analysis, banking, credit, and investment services.

Administration and Office Work

People in these occupations administrate facilities and personnel, keep records, and provide administrative assistance and secretarial work.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

AAT Award in Business Skills (Level 1) - Part-time

AAT Diploma in Accounting (Level 3) - Part-time

Access to Higher Education: Business (19+) - Full-time