About the course
This qualification is intended for those either working or aspiring to work in a junior accounting position. It will help you gain an understanding of the processing role as well as improve your confidence with analyzing numbers. It is the progression route through the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications for those with AAT Level 1 Access, or for those without the experience of double entry book keeping.
Classes will be held once a week, from 9:15am until 4:30pm in Bury St Edmunds. The course is due to start in September 2024. Exact dates will be confirmed closer to the start date.
Please "APPLY ONLINE" as soon as possible to secure your place for the next academic year!
Entry requirements
Unlike other qualifications there are no entry requirements with AAT and you don't need relevant work experience. This means that this course is ideal if you are leaving school, returning to work or thinking about a change in career.
Please feel free to use the link below, which will help you determine which level qualification is most suitable for you:
Overall, useful strengths for accounting include:
- confidence with numbers,
- time management,
- attention to detail,
- an ability to problem solve.
Qualifications
You will receive AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, awarded in conjunction with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).
What you'll learn (core modules)
The course covers the following four modules throughout the academic year:
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Introduction to Bookkeeping
This unit provides students with an understanding of manual and digital bookkeeping systems, including the associated documents and processes. Students will learn the basic principles that underpin double-entry bookkeeping systems.
Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 25%.
Learning outcomes
- Understand how to set up bookkeeping systems.
- Process customer transactions.
- Process supplier transactions.
- Process receipts and payments.
- Process transactions into the ledger accounts.
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Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from studying Introduction to Bookkeeping and explores control accounts, journals and reconciliations. Students will develop the ability to prepare the value added tax (VAT) control accounts as well as the receivables and payables ledger accounts. They'll use the journal to record a variety of transactions, including the correction errors. Students will be able to redraft the initial trial balance, following adjustments.
Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 25%.
Learning outcomes:
- Use control accounts.
- Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book.
- Use the journal.
- Produce trial balances.
-
Principles of Costing
This unit gives students an introduction to the principles of basic costing and builds a solid foundation in the knowledge and skills required for more complex costing and management accounting tasks. Students will learn the importance of the costing system as a source of information that allows management to plan, make decisions and control costs.
Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 20%.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand the cost recording system within an organisation.
- Use cost recording techniques.
- Provide information on actual and budgeted cost and income.
- Use tools and techniques to support cost calculations.
-
The Business Environment
This unit provides knowledge and understanding of key business concepts and their practical application in the external and internal environment in which students will work. Students will gain an understanding of the legal system and principles of contract law and an appreciation of the legal implications of setting up a business and the consequences this may have. This unit will also give an understanding of how organisations are structured and where the finance function fits.
Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 30%.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the principles of contract law.
- Understand the external business environment.
- Understand the 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.
How will I be assessed?
Students must successfully complete four unit assessments and one synoptic assessment to achieve this qualification. All assessments are computer based, time limited and are set and marked by the AAT. The assessments take place in person, either in Bury St Edmunds or at one of our learning centers. Successful students may wish to progress to the AAT Level 3 Diploma and the AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting.
Where will this course take me?
The jobs it can lead to are:
- Accounts administrator,
- Accounts assistant,
- Accounts payable clerk,
- Purchase/sales ledger clerk,
- Trainee accounting technician,
- Trainee finance assistant.
How much will it cost?
The course fee is £750.00. However, there is funding available to students that meet criteria such as: earnings below £20,319 gross per annum or are in receipt of certain benefits.
Please be aware that you are also required to register with AAT - the current fee is £175. Any re-sits of AAT exams are charged at rate of £80 per sitting.
Non-completion of the course (including the taking of examinations) or failure to attend 3 consecutive sessions without notification may result in a charge of £185.
If you need help with funding
Please feel free to send in your funding query to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
I'm interested. What should I do now?
Please "APPLY ONLINE" to register your interest and we will be in touch shortly!
Days & times
Date(s) to be confirmed