AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting (Q2022)

Modules

This course comprises of 4 Mandatory units.

Unit 1: Business Awareness

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand business types, structures and governance, and the legal framework in which they operate
• Understand the impact of the external and internal environment on businesses, their performance, and decisions
• Understand how businesses and accountants comply with principles of professional ethics
• Understand the impact of new technologies in accounting and the risks associated with data security
• Communicate information to stakeholders

Unit 2: Financial Accounting; Preparing Financial Statements

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the 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
• 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

Unit 3: Management Accounting Techniques

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the purpose and use of management accounting within organisations
• Use techniques required for dealing with costs
• Attribute costs according to organisational requirements
• Investigate deviations from budgets
• Use spreadsheet techniques to provide management accounting information
• Use management accounting techniques to support short-term decision making
• Understand principles of cash management

Unit 4: Tax Processes for Business

On completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand and apply VAT legislation requirements
• Calculate VAT
• Review and verify VAT returns
• Understand principles of payroll
• Report information within the organisation

Entry Requirements

For the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin with a good standard of English and Maths. Professional Accountants work at the 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 Skills Check to ensure that they are ready to start on a particular qualification.

*We are still providing support for the AQ2016 Qualifications up to the deadline date of 30^th September 2023 – please contact us if you require learning materials and support for this.

*If you are presently studying the AAT AQ2016 standards and require information on the transition arrangements from the AQ2016 to Q2022 please follow this link for more information.

Registering with AAT

As a professional body and as part of your studies, you will need to register with the AAT. You can complete this quickly and easily with the AAT by clicking here.

Registering with AAT is essential so that you can:

• Study AAT bookkeeping and accounting qualifications
• Access the AAT website via your learndirect portfolio
• Sit AAT assessments and computer-based exam
• Access resources and support to help you succeed in your studies and progress in your career

*AAT registration is a one-off fee, giving students access to the purchased qualification for the lifespan of the qualification. Additional fees will apply for sitting AAT assessments.

Additional Fees

Please note there are AAT course incurred additional fees that are NOT included in your course fees and are not payable to learndirect.

These costs are for:

• AAT registration which is payable to AAT directly (this is required for you to be able to study, sit live assessments, and achieve the qualification - details of this requirement are explained in the course guide)

Please follow the link below to see these costs for your chosen Qualification

Register with AAT | AAT

• Live AAT unit assessments/exams (the number of assessments/exams required is dependent on your chosen qualification - details of these units and how many per course are explained in the course guide)

These fees are payable to the AAT External Assessments centre of your choice – please see the link below to find assessment venues

External Assessment Venue Search (aat.org.uk)

Assessment

When studying for an AAT qualification, your knowledge and skills will be tested via computer-based assessments (CBAs). These are administered by AAT training providers or assessment centres and run entirely on PCs or laptops.

Computer-Based Assessments 

AAT’s computer-based assessments are marked in one of three ways:

• Wholly computer marked, and so results will be available automatically
• Partially computer marked and partially human marked, and so results will be available within six weeks
• Wholly human marked, and so results will be available within six weeks

When are you assessed?

You will sit assessments when you are ready, as agreed with your training provider. You will need to check with your training provider as to the availability and schedule for completing your assessments.

AAT Remote Invigilation

AAT remote invigilation for Q2022 will be a phased rollout from September 2023.

Fees

Computer-based exams are taken under invigilated conditions at an AAT approved external exam centre. You will discuss this further with your dedicated tutor during your studies, but unit computer-based exams cost approximately £90-£120 per exam and are not included in your course fees.

Qualifications

AAT

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting (Qualification Number: 603/6337/X)

AAT works across the globe with around 140,000 members in more than 90 countries. Their members, including students, are represented at every level of the finance and accounting world.

AAT members are ambitious, focused accounting professionals. Many of AAT members occupy senior, well-rewarded positions with thousands of employers – from blue-chip corporate giants to public sector institutions.

AAT qualifications are universally respected and internationally recognised. Organisations hire AAT qualified members for their knowledge, skills, diligence and enthusiasm, because AAT represents the highest standards of professionalism. In short, an AAT qualification is a route to some of the most in-demand skills in the world, and provides their students and members with a professional status to be proud of.

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a world-renowned professional body of Accountants with members across 90 countries. As such it is one of the most widely regarded and respected accounting bodies in the world.

Whether you have a small business or want to further your accounting or bookkeeping career, gaining an AAT accredited qualification will give you the skills you need to achieve your goal.

AAT accredited qualifications are also internationally recognised, opening career opportunities around the world, and allowing you to expand your financial horizons in diverse and exciting new ways.

Once you achieve the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting you should aim to apply for Accounts Clerk, Account Manager, or Bookkeeper roles with salaries ranging from £20,000 - £29,000 per year.