AAT Diploma in Accounting (Level 3)

Programme Description

The purpose of this AAT course is to provide students with the specialist knowledge and skills required for progressing either to employment in an accounting or finance role, or to enable progression to further study in accountancy and finance. This qualification is a progression route for students who have achieved the AAT Certificate in Accounting. It is also suitable for those who are at an intermediate level and looking to develop their skills in accounting, or for those who have already started working in finance and who have a need and desire to attain formal recognition of their skills.

At a Glance

Part Time

12 months

Pibwrlwyd Campus

Programme Features

The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that students are well prepared to progress into a career in business, finance or professional accountancy, or into further education. Students will learn and develop skills needed for financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping and preparing financial statements. They will also understand the business environment, business issues regarding payroll and value added tax (VAT), management accounting techniques, ethical practises and sustainability considerations for accountants.

The 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.

Course fees are applicable which cover tuition and initial exam sitting, price is available on request.

Programme Content

The course covers a range of complex accounting tasks, including maintaining cost accounting records and the preparation of reports and returns. It comprises four mandatory units:

Business Awareness
Final Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
Management Accounting Techniques
Tax Processes for Businesses

All four units are assessed individually through computer based end of-unit assessments.

Progression & Employment

Skills developed through this qualification can lead to employment as:

Accounts assistant
• Accounts payable and expenses supervisor
• Assistant accountant
• Audit trainee
• Credit controller
• Finance assistant
• Finance officer
• Payroll supervisor
• Senior bookkeeper
• Tax assistant.

Completion of this qualification provides students with an opportunity to be registered as a qualified bookkeeper, or progress on to professional level and become a full member of AAT upon achieving the associated membership criteria. It also provides the foundation skills required to support the establishment of a healthy business.

Method of Assessment

The assessments are computer based with a time restriction. Each contains a range of question types and formats, for example multiple-choice questions, numeric gap-fill questions, or question tools that replicate workplace activities, such as making entries in a journal. Some assessments will require written answers, particularly the synoptic assessment.

Entry Requirements

AAT does not set any prerequisites for the study of the AAT Advanced Diploma in 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. AAT recommends that students use AAT Skill check via aatskillcheck.org to ensure that they are ready to start on a particular qualification.