AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting (Daytime Class)

Required qualifications

There are no entry requirements for the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. However, a good standard of English and maths is desirable.

What skills will I develop?

Students will attend college one day a week or 2 evenings a week for 36 weeks and will develop an understanding of the following:-

• accountancy skills in double-entry bookkeeping
• basic costing
• journals, control accounts and the trial balance
• purchase, sales and general ledgers
• processing financial information in accordance with company procedures
• how to provide information to colleagues, suppliers and customers as required
• the principles of accounting software
• professional skills and behaviours needed to contribute effectively in the workplace

Four online exams are taken throughout the academic year and all must be passed to gain the full certificate.

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 accountancy skills developed by studying this qualification will enable a student to seek employment or an apprenticeship with confidence and/or to progress to the next level of learning. The finance, accountancy, business and communications skills developed in the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting can lead to employment as:

• an accounts administrator
• an accounts assistant
• an accounts payable clerk
• a purchase/sales ledger clerk
• a trainee accounting technician
• a trainee finance assistant

The accountancy and finance knowledge developed in this qualification is also the underpinning knowledge needed for the higher-level accountancy and financial skills developed in the AAT Level 3 and Level 4 Accounting Qualifications.

Therefore, the skills developed in this qualification may also enable learners to progress onto a level 3 AAT course:

• AAT Level 3 Diploma 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 invoices, credit notes, bank reconciliations, journals and a trial balance. 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 complete team tasks, take part in discussions as well as 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. The synoptic assessment requires some written answers in the form of an email, letter or report.

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 perform accounting tasks as well as produce financial documents and to keep precise records of business transactions. 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 £172.00.

You are also required to purchase the relevant textbooks at a discounted rate of approximately £132.00 – 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 for guidance.