The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that students are well prepared to progress into a career in professional accountancy, finance or business 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 principles and sustainability considerations for accountants.

This course is delivered using a blended learning approach which combines face-to-face and online activities in a seamless and complementary flow of learning.

All students will be supported by a training adviser who will monitor progress towards achieving targets on a regular basis and will liaise closely with the employer to ensure that qualifications are achieved within timescales.

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.

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.

Essential Skills Wales qualifications in Communication and Application of Number at Level 2 are included in the framework unless exemptions apply.

Participation in work place reviews with a training adviser and employer will be undertaken on a regular basis.

The accountancy skills developed by studying this framework will enable a student to seek employment with confidence and/or to progress to the next level of learning or 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 framework provides students with an opportunity to be registered as a qualified bookkeeper, or progress onto the Diploma in Professional Accounting (level 4) qualification.

We have partnered with Mindful Education to deliver this course through our flexible Online and On Campus model.

Online, you will study award-winning video lessons, which are available on demand, and can be viewed from your phone, tablet or computer – offering greater flexibility for study. Lessons last for around 45 minutes and are accompanied by animations and motion graphics to bring concepts to life. Practice questions, downloadable lesson materials and interactive case studies help to enhance the learning experience further. Students should expect to spend around 6-8 hours studying independently online each week.

On campus, you will benefit from regular classes with a college tutor who will also review what you have learnt during your online lessons and will be on hand to provide guidance on progress and assessment. 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.

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 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.

Entry to the apprenticeship is dependent upon suitable employment and subject to a successful interview.

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

Students will be required to pay for exams if multiple resits are necessary.

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