AAT Access Award in Bookkeeping – Level 1

Required qualifications

There are no entry requirements for the AAT Award in Bookkeeping. However, we recommend that students begin their AAT studies with a reasonable standard of English and maths.

What skills will I develop?

Students will attend college one morning a week for 4.5 hours over 12 weeks and will study the following:

• the role of the bookkeeper, including the need for confidentiality and accuracy in their work
• how to identify assets, liabilities, income and expenses; how to identify profit and loss; and the differences between trading for cash and trading on credit
• processing customer and supplier transactions, how to enter receipts and payments into the cash book and check amounts against the bank statement in preparation for bank reconciliation
• the dual effect of transactions; this is a fundamental concept for double-entry bookkeeping and will support students who go on to study bookkeeping at level 2
• the benefits and risks of using accounting software to complete bookkeeping tasks

One online exam must be passed at the end of the course.

Teaching is carried out both in the classroom and electronically via the college’s learning platform. In addition, with AAT registration comes a valuable range of online resources to support students’ education.

Careers

The skills developed by studying this qualification will give students a solid base from which to seek employment or an apprenticeship with greater confidence and/or enable them to progress to the next level of learning.

This qualification can lead to employment in junior or supporting administrative roles in companies across a wide range of sectors, for example as a:

• trainee bookkeeper
• accounts administrator
• billing/payments administrator/coordinator
• accounts junior
• accounts receivable/payable assistant
• procurement and finance assistant
• assistant cashier

The skills developed in this qualification may also enable learners to progress onto a level 2 AAT course:

• AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting

English and maths

As part of the course students will develop their literacy skills and learn accounts specific terminology as well as be able to produce financial documents such as purchase orders, invoices, credit notes, remittance advice and statements. The ability to communicate information clearly and appropriately to a given audience is a valuable skill in any role and in any type of business, particularly in finance roles. Students are therefore encouraged to practise writing emails to customers, suppliers and other business stakeholders, to prepare them for the workplace.

Within the learning environment students will take part in discussions as well as to respond to questioning, which will build confidence and promote effective communication skills. Students are expected to follow both verbal and written instructions both in the classroom and as part of their formal assessments.

As part of the course students will perform basic mathematical calculations such as multiplication, subtraction, addition, division and percentages. These skills will enable students to confidently produce financial documents and to keep precise accounting records. The importance of accuracy within the accounting function is paramount and learners are therefore encouraged to be meticulous in their record keeping and to proofread and check their work in order to minimise mistakes.

Other important information

As well as tuition fees, you are required to pay for AAT registration which is approximately £40.00.

You are also required to purchase the relevant textbook at a discounted rate – this will be explained at induction.

Expectations: It is essential that a minimum of 95% attendance is achieved for this course and that regular home study is completed, in order to achieve exam success.

What you need to bring to college: You will be expected to provide your own stationery and always attend college fully equipped for lessons with a textbook, course notes, note paper and writing implements.

IT: It is essential that you have access to a computer or laptop at home in order to complete homework and practice and revision activities.

NB: There may be financial assistance available to you depending on your personal circumstances, please ask the Student Services team.