Accounting Online Degree Pathway

Accounting Online Degree Pathway

This Course at a Glance

• Globally recognised online alternative to Year 1 and Year 2 of university
• Get on the pathway to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in accounting
• In partnership with the international awarding organisation ATHE
• Complete Year 3 with a selected prestigious university
• Flexible online study rather than on-campus lectures
• Get on the fast track to your university qualification
• Avoid rising loan repayment fees
• Save on expensive living costs associated with on-campus study

Achieving a degree in accounting or a relevant subject can propel you towards a range of careers in finance, such as forensic accounting or stockbroking. With our online degree pathway, which consists of the first and second years of an Honours degree, removing in-person lectures and restrictive timetables, you have the option to complete Year 1 and Year 2 faster than at university.

About Your Online Degree Pathway

This undergraduate online degree pathway in accounting is made up of 240 credits and is designed as an online alternative to completing Year 1 and Year 2 at university. Studying with us will fast-track you to the final year of an associated bachelor’s degree, which can be completed with one of our preferred universities.

This has been made possible through our partnership with ATHE, an Ofqual-regulated global awarding organisation that spans more than 55 countries worldwide. ATHE partners with 25 UK and international universities, providing top-up degrees to learners seeking an alternative to traditional university learning.

The course is delivered online, through an engaging array of online learning materials. So, you will find your education both interesting and rewarding. As a self-paced online course, you can also work towards your qualification without pressure, around your existing commitments.

What Will You Learn?

The course covers a wide range of topics related to accounting and finance, ensuring that you develop a strong understanding of key concepts and principles in these areas. It is suitable for individuals who are looking to start a career in accounting and finance or for those who wish to enhance their existing knowledge and skills in this field.

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to explore various aspects, including financial reporting, budgetary control, personal taxation, business environment, and assurance. The curriculum is designed to provide you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.

University Progression

Upon successful completion of Year 1 and Year 2 with us, you will be guaranteed admission to complete Year 3 of your undergraduate degree with a selected university, which you will find details of on our progressions tab.

Study for a Degree Without Expensive Fees

If you want to get ahead of degree-level learning without racking up student loan debt, then we have the ideal alternative to traditional university study. The Accounting Online Degree Pathway provides a route to earning your degree online, replacing the initial two years of university study. This programme allows you to complete two-thirds of your accounting degree remotely before guaranteeing a place at university to complete your final year. With efficient access to learning materials, you can progress through the course and reach your third year in a shorter time.

An Affordable Alternative

Recent changes in student finance rules mean that university graduates will end up doubling their student loan repayments if they go down the traditional route. Plus, repayments will begin when the graduate starts earning an annual salary of £25,000, down from the previous £27,660 threshold.

With inflation and interest rates rising in the UK due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, university graduates are affected. For the 2022/23 academic year, there was a risk of student loan interest rates reaching 12%, further hitting the pockets of students.

Due to the current economic uncertainty, a university graduate could end up with an average of £42,900 of student loan debt, with tuition fees costing an average of £9,250 per year.

According to YouGov, 37% of people feel that current tuition fees are unfair, so it’s no surprise that many are looking for alternative options. Here at learndirect, we can offer you an affordable alternative that covers the first and second year of a degree for a fraction of the cost of the traditional route.

Please note, that once you complete our online degree pathway, you will need to pay the top-up fee to your select university to study the third year of your course. 

Avoid Rise in Daily Living Costs

You won't have to bear the expenses associated with full-term university attendance. By studying Year 1 and Year 2 from the comfort of your home, you can eliminate student housing costs and travel expenses. Moreover, you have the flexibility to integrate studying into your lifestyle without the need to rearrange other commitments to fit a university timetable. So, if you’re currently working, you won’t have to give that up for university life.

Modules

Year 1 consists of eight units.

Unit 1: Financial Accounting 1

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the regulatory framework for financial reporting
• Be able to prepare and interpret a statement of cash flows
• Be able to prepare a credit control policy

Unit 2: Financial Accounting 2

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the relationship between organisational ownership and the nature of financial reporting statements
• Understand the role of accounting and accounting records within an organisation
• Be able to prepare financial reporting statements for different types of organisation
• Be able to use techniques to measure performance and assess the financial position of organisations

Unit 3: Budgetary Control

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand financing options for different organisations
• Understand how organisations manage cash flow and working capital
• Be able to prepare budgets and report on variances

Unit 4: Cost and Management Accounting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand cost accounting techniques and pricing strategies
• Be able to use cost accounting techniques and pricing strategies
• Understand employee management techniques used to improve quality

Unit 5: Personal Taxation

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand theories and principles of taxation systems
• Be able to calculate income tax and National Insurance contributions for a taxpayer
• Be able to account for capital gains tax

Unit 6: Business Environment

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand different forms of legal business ownership
• Understand how external factors impact different organisations
• Understand how the economic environment impacts organisations

Unit 7: Economics for Business

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand microeconomic factors affecting organisations
• Understand macroeconomic factors affecting organisations
• Understand the implications for organisations operating in an international economic environment

Unit 8: Law for Accounting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the elements of law affecting commercial practice
• Understand company and insolvency law
• Understand the impact of criminal law on business and professional organisations
• Understand areas of law affecting business and professional operations

Year 2 consists of five units.

Unit 1: Financial Reporting

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to prepare financial statements for sole traders and partnerships
• Be able to prepare company financial statements
• Be able to interpret financial statements and make justified recommendations

Unit 2: Financial Management

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to apply investment appraisal methods
• Be able to advise on managing financial risks
• Understand the management of long-term finance

Unit 3: Financial and Management Control

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how to improve business performance
• Be able to prepare budgets for organisations and analyse causes of costs and sales variances
• Understand internal and external factors that affect organisations

Unit 4: Business Taxation

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Be able to calculate tax for the self-employed and complete self-assessment tax returns
• Be able to calculate taxable income, and corporation tax and prepare corporation tax returns
• Be able to calculate VAT and complete VAT returns

Unit 5: Assurance

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the concept of assurance
• Understand the nature and importance of internal controls
• Understand how to gather evidence when completing an assurance engagement
• Understand the need for professional ethics when completing assurance engagements

Entry Requirements

You’ll need to possess an appropriate level of English and have prior qualifications, which can include:

• A GCE Advanced level profile with achievement in 2 or more subjects supported by 5 or more GCSEs at grades 4/C and above
• Other related level 3 subjects such as ATHE level 3 Diplomas
• An Access to Higher Education Certificate delivered by an approved further education institute and validated by an Access Validating Agency
• Other equivalent international qualifications

For individuals whose first language is not English, we recommend the following English language proficiency standards or an approved equivalent for this qualification:

IELTS: A score of 5.5 or higher

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): Achieving at least B2 level
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): Scoring 162 or above
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Achieving a score between 42-49

You must achieve the ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Accounting before progressing to the ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Accounting.

Minimum Age Restriction

These qualifications are designed for learners aged 18 and older.

Average Completion Timeframe

ATHE qualifications typically take learners an average of 18 months to complete.

Assessment Requirements

There are no exams included in this study programme, instead, you will complete several written assignments.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

You will complete a series of assignments to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved the learning outcomes of each unit.

ATHE

Upon successful completion of this online course, you will achieve two globally recognised ATHE qualifications:

• ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Accounting, qual aim 610/3310/8, 120 credits
• ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Accounting, qual aim 610/3312/1, 120 credits

Awards for Training and Higher Education (ATHE) is a global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and other United Kingdom and international regulators.

ATHE is a global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and other UK and international regulators since 2011. They work with more than 280 recognised centres in over 55 countries to complement our strong brand presence in the UK.

This qualification provides a solid foundation for further study, allowing students to progress to a top-up year to achieve a degree in a relevant subject. 

After completing your final year and obtaining your degree, you’ll receive a qualification that is recognised and valued by employers within the accounting and finance industry. Graduates can pursue various career routes, including roles in:

• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Auditing
• Taxation
• Financial Management
• Financial Analysis

For more insight on what your degree could lead to, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions