AAT Certificate in Accounting – Level 2

AAT Certificate in Accounting – Level 2

Course aims

This course offers the foundation knowledge needed to progress to employment for further study in accountancy and finance, alongside business and personal skills that are transferrable to any sector and additional business knowledge relevant to accountancy.

Course length

255 guided learning hours, 5 hour sessions per week

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for those interested in developing transferrable business and personal skills alongside their core accountancy skills. It is also valuable for those entering the workplace for the first time or for those changing careers who would like additional support in upskilling to enter, or re-enter, a business environment.

Will I gain any qualifications?

Yes. You must successfully pass four mandatory unit assessment to achieve the AAT Certificate in Accounting – Level 2 qualification.

Do I need any prior knowledge, skills or qualifications?

Yes. Prior knowledge, skills or level 1 qualification in bookkeeping are required. A basic level of English is needed as this will help you to read and understand the materials provided.

Course content

The course outcomes are:

Introduction to bookkeeping

• understand how to set up bookkeeping systems
• process customer transactions
• process supplier transactions
• process receipts and payments
• process transactions into the ledger accounts

Principles for bookkeeping controls

• use control accounts
• reconcile a bank statement with the cashbook
• use the journal
• produce trial balances

Principles of costing

• understand the cost recording system
• use cost recording techniques
• provide information on actual and budgeted costs and income
• use tools and techniques to support cost calculations

The business environment

• understand the principles of contract law
• understand the external business environment
• understand key principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability
• understand the impact of setting up different types of business entity
• understand the finance function within an organisation
• produce work in appropriate formats and communicate effectively
• understand the importance of information to business operations

Support if you are registered unemployed, looking for a job or a better job – Route to Work

As part of your programme of learning, we will support you to develop the skills you need to get a job or a better job, such as CV writing, application forms, interviews and working in a team.  Your teacher will discuss your individual learning and development needs to agree with you which of our Route to Work short courses will best suit your needs and enrol you on these modules.

What could this course lead to?

This course could lead to AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping - Level 3 or AAT Certificate in Accounting - Level 3.

How will I learn?

Learning for this course is ‘Blended’, using both online and onsite environments. Your teacher will explain this further. You will be shown how to access Birmingham Adult Education Services (BAES) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE - Moodle) which is a secure online tool which provides you with support for your studies.

You will be able to access resources like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Padlet, to engage in activities, study independently, and participate in group discussions with your teacher.

You will record your own progress and have your work checked regularly throughout the course.

What materials or equipment will I need to provide?

You will need to have access at home to:

• A laptop, computer which is connected to the internet
• Microsoft Office 365 (Excel) which we will provide for free when you enrol on one of our courses
• Notepad and pen – you will need to take notes during the online sessions and a folder to store hand-outs and completed exercises
• Sage, an online version of which can be purchased after the course has started
• Calculator

What we require of you as a learner?

• regular attendance and punctuality is essential for you to succeed
• work at home will need to be completed punctually and sent to your teacher for marking
• you will need to ensure that you allow sufficient time for self-study and complete any homework set
• you will be expected to complete all assessments and complete the full course
• register with AAT

Useful website(s)

For more information about Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT): https://www.aat.org.uk/

AAT Award in Bookkeeping – Level 1

AAT Award in Bookkeeping – Level 1

Course aims

This course provides you with an opportunity to develop practical bookkeeping skills.

Course length

75 guided learning hours, 3 - 5 hour sessions per week.

Who is this course for?

This course offers you the opportunity to develop key practical skills used in every business as a route into employment or be of interest to those already in employment.

The qualification will particularly suit those who:

• have minimal work experience  
• seek to validate their existing skills to enter into or progress in their career 
• want a qualification from the industry-recognised provider, which is valued by employers in a range of industries
• would like to test their abilities before progressing further with AAT 
• are self-employed or working in small businesses who wish to do their own bookkeeping 

Will I gain any qualifications?

Yes. You must successfully achieve one mandatory unit assessment to achieve the AAT Award in Bookkeeping – Level 1 qualification.

Do I need any prior knowledge, skills or qualifications?

No prior knowledge, skills or qualifications are required. A basic level of English is needed as this will help you to read and understand the materials provided.

Course content

The course outcomes are:

Bookkeeping fundamentals

• understand the role of the bookkeeper
• understand financial transactions
• process customer and supplier transactions
• process receipts and payments
• understand the benefits and risks of using accounting software to complete bookkeeping tasks

Support if you are registered unemployed, looking for a job or a better job – Route to Work   

As part of your programme of learning, we will support you to develop the skills you need to get a job or a better job, such as CV writing, application forms, interviews and working in a team.  Your teacher will discuss your individual learning and development needs to agree with you which of our Route to Work short courses will best suit your needs and enrol you on these modules. 

What could this course lead to?

This course could lead to AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping - Level 2 or AAT Certificate in Accounting - Level 2.

How will I learn?

Learning for this course is ‘Blended’, using both online and onsite environments. Your teacher will explain how your course will be delivered. You will be shown how to access Birmingham Adult Education Services (BAES) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE - Moodle) which is a secure online tool which provides you with resources and support for your studies.

You will be able to access resources like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Padlet, to engage in activities, study independently, and participate in group discussions with your teacher. You will record your own progress and have your work checked regularly throughout the course.

What materials or equipment will I need to provide?

You will need to have access at home to:

• A laptop, computer which is connected to the internet
• Microsoft Office 365 (Excel) which we will provide for free when you enrol on one of our courses
• Notepad and pen – you will need to take notes during the online sessions and a folder to store hand-outs and completed exercises
• Calculator

What we require of you as a learner?

• Regular attendance is essential for you to succeed
• You will be expected to attend the full course and sit an exam
• Work at home will need to be completed punctually and sent to your teacher for marking
• You will need to ensure that you allow sufficient time for self-study and complete any homework set
• Register with AAT

Useful website(s)

For more information about Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) https://www.aat.org.uk/

AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping – Level 2

AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping – Level 2

Course aims

This course provides you with an understanding of the role of a bookkeeper, financial transactions and the benefits and risks of using accounting software to complete bookkeeping tasks. On completion of this qualification, you will also be able to process customer and supplier transactions, receipts and payments.

Course length

115 guided learning hours, 3-5 hour sessions per week

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for those already working in finance, those returning to work after a break, those wishing to change career or those wanting to develop specialised skills or to gain recognition for the skills that they already have. The course is open to those who are working and those who are not currently in employment. It also offers progression for learners who have started studying accountancy and bookkeeping with AAT.

Will I gain any qualifications?

Yes. You must successfully pass two mandatory unit assessment to achieve the AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping – Level 2 qualification.

Do I need any prior knowledge, skills or qualifications?

Yes. Prior knowledge, skills or level 1 qualification in bookkeeping are required. A basic level of English is needed as this will help you to read and understand the materials provided.

Course content

The course outcomes are:

Introduction to bookkeeping

• understand how to set up bookkeeping systems
• process customer transactions
• process supplier transactions
• process receipts and payments
• process transactions into the ledger accounts

Principles for bookkeeping controls

• use control accounts.
• reconcile a bank statement with the cashbook
• use the journal
• produce trial balances

Support if you are registered unemployed, looking for a job or a better job – Route to Work

As part of your programme of learning, we will support you to develop the skills you need to get a job or a better job, such as CV writing, application forms, interviews and working in a team.  Your teacher will discuss your individual learning and development needs to agree with you which of our Route to Work short courses will best suit your needs and enrol you on these modules.

What could this course lead to?

This course could lead to AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping - Level 3 or AAT Certificate in Accounting - Level 3.

What types of jobs could I get?

This course could lead to the following employment opportunities:

• Clerical Assistant
• Trainee Bookkeeper
• Accounts Clerk
• Finance Assistant
• Accounts Administrator

How will I learn?

Learning for this course is ‘Blended’, using both online and onsite environments. Your teacher will explain this further. You will be shown how to access Birmingham Adult Education Services (BAES) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE - Moodle) which is a secure online tool, which provides you with support for your studies.

You will be able to access resources like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Padlet, to engage in activities, study independently, and participate in group discussions with your teacher. You will record your own progress and have your work checked regularly throughout the course.

What materials or equipment will I need to provide?

You will need to have access at home to:

• laptop, computer which is connected to the internet
• Microsoft Office 365 which we will provide for free when you enrol on one of our courses
• notepad and pen – you will need to take notes during the online sessions and a folder to store hand-outs and completed exercises
• calculator

What we require of you as a learner?

• regular attendance and punctuality is essential for you to succeed.
• work at home will need to be completed punctually and sent to your teacher for marking.
• you will need to ensure that you allow sufficient time for self-study and complete any homework set.
• you will be expected to complete all assessments and complete the full course.
• register with AAT

Useful website(s)

For more information about Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)https://www.aat.org.uk/

AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping – Level 3

AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping – Level 3

Course aims

This course aims to develop existing skills and knowledge to an advanced level for anyone wishing to pursue a career in bookkeeping.

Course length

210 guided learning hours, 5 hour sessions per week.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for those who wish to focus soley on developing their bookkeeping skills in order to progress quickly to employment or to focus on becoming a bookkeeper. Learners may wish to start with this qualification before progressing to complete the AAT Diploma in Accounting – Level 3, in order to gain a wider knowledge of accountancy.

Will I gain any qualifications?

Yes. You must successfully pass two mandatory unit assessment to achieve the AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping – Level 3 qualification.

Do I need any prior knowledge, skills or qualifications?

Yes. Prior knowledge, skills or level 2 qualification in bookkeeping and/or accounting are required. A basic level of English is needed as this will help you to read and understand the materials provided.

Content

The course outcomes are:

Financial Accounting: Preparing financial statements

• understand accounting principles underlying final accounts preparation
• understand the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping.
• implement procedures for the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets
• prepare and record depreciation calculations
• record period end adjustments
• produce and extend the trial balance
• produce financial statements for sole traders and partnerships
• interpret financial statements using profitability ratios
• prepare accounting records from incomplete information

Tax processes for businesses

• understand legislation requirements relating to VAT
• calculate VAT
• review and verify VAT returns.
• understand principles for payroll.
• report information within the organisation

Support if you are registered unemployed, looking for a job or a better job – Route to Work

As part of your programme of learning, we will support you to develop the skills you need to get a job or a better job, such as CV writing, application forms, interviews and working in a team.  Your teacher will discuss your individual learning and development needs to agree with you which of our Route to Work short courses will best suit your needs and enrol you on these modules.

What could this course lead to?

Once the Level 3 has been achieved you can become eligible for AAT Qualified Bookkeeper (AATQB) status and set up your own bookkeeping practice. This course could lead to AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting - Level 4 (MAAT).

What types of jobs could I get?

This course could lead to the following employment opportunities:

• Professional Bookkeeper
• Senior Bookkeeper
• Accounts Manager
• Ledger Manager

How will I learn?

Learning for this course is ‘Blended’, using both online and onsite environments. Your teacher will explain this further. You will be shown how to access Birmingham Adult Education Services (BAES) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE - Moodle) which is a secure online tool, which provides you with support for your studies.

You will be able to access resources like Moodle, Zoom, Padlet, to engage in activities, study independently, and participate in group discussions with your teacher. You will record your own progress and have your work checked regularly throughout the course.

What materials or equipment will I need to provide?

You will need to have access at home to:

• laptop, computer or a tablet which is connected to the internet.
• Microsoft Office 365 which we will provide for free when you enrol on one of our courses.
• notepad and pen – you will need to take notes during the online sessions and a folder to store hand-outs and completed exercises.
• books recommended by teacher.
• calculator.

What we require of you as a learner

• regular attendance and punctuality is essential for you to succeed.
• work at home will need to be completed punctually and sent to your teacher for marking.
• you will need to ensure that you allow sufficient time for self-study and complete any homework set.
• you will be expected to complete all assessments and complete the full course.
• register with AAT.

Useful website(s)

For more information about Birmingham Adult Education Service (BAES): www.learnbaes.ac.uk

For more information about Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT): www.aat.org.uk