The course covers high-level accounting and finance topics and tasks. Students will look at and become comfortable with a wide range of financial management skills and applications, and gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategy and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports. Students will also learn about specialist areas such as tax, auditing, credit and debit management and cash and financial management.

AAT will require all students to register with the Professional Body. Restrictions to membership may apply. More information is available at www.aat.org.uk.

Study Method

Weekly sessions will be held on campus by knowledgeable and supportive staff. Regular discussion with classmates will help to reinforce key points while also providing the additional support and motivation that comes from being part of a group.

The AAT Diploma in Professional Accounting covers the following units:

• Applied Management Accounting
• Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements
• Internal Accounting Systems and Controls
• Personal Tax
• Audit and Assurance

These five units are assessed individually through computer based end-of-unit assessments.

Once qualified and having met AAT’s criteria, students can apply for full AAT membership, which will allow them to use the designatory letters MAAT after their name.

The qualification can lead to a variety of well-paid accountancy and finance jobs, some of which include:

• Professional Accounting Technician
• Assistant Auditor
• Assistant Management Accountant
• Payroll Manager
• Senior Bookkeeper
• Senior Financial Officer
• Accounts Payable And Expenses Supervisor
• Assistant Financial Accountant
• Cost Accountant
• Fixed Asset Accountant
• Tax Supervisor
• Vat Accountant.

Completion of this course provides students with an opportunity to progress onto further professional accounting qualifications (exemptions may apply) or a degree.

Assessments in this qualification are computer based and time restricted.

Students will be presented with a range of question types and formats in the assessment. These may include multiple-choice questions, extended written responses, numeric gap-fill questions, or question tools that replicate workplace activities, such as making entries in a journal.

AAT does not set any prerequisites for the study of the AAT Diploma in Professional Accounting. However, for the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and Maths. Accountants work at the very heart of a business and are expected to be able to communicate information clearly and appropriately to a given audience. Ideally students should also have completed AAT level 2 and level 3 qualifications. AAT recommends that students use AAT Skill check via aatskillcheck.org to ensure that they are ready to start on a particular qualification.

Students with any relevant school or college qualifications, a degree or some accounting experience, in certain circumstances may be entitled to claim exemptions.

Students need to provide their own stationery and textbooks (if required).  Additional costs may be incurred if the department arranges educational visits.