This AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) course is an entry-level accounting qualification, ideal for anyone who is seeking an introduction to basic accounting principles and skills.
Dates
Start Date: Tuesday, 16th January 2024
End Date: Tuesday, 19th November 2024
The course covers 33 study weeks and is delivered in partnership with Mindful Education, the award-winning blended learning platform.
Students learn online using the Mindful Education platform and attend weekly sessions in College. Face-to-face sessions take place twice a month on Tuesday evenings, 6.00 – 9.00pm.
| Assessment: |
This course is assessed through computer-based exams and a synoptic assessment, which draws on and assesses knowledge and understanding from across the qualification. |
| Duration: | 33 study weeks |
| Entry requirements: |
Entry Requirements GCSE Maths Grade 3 (formerly a D/E grade) GCSE English Grade 3 A further three GCSEs at grade 3 or above, or 3 Merits. Candidates’ experience at work may be taken into consideration, for candidates who do not meet the entry criteria. |
| Exam board: | AAT |
| Costs: |
£500 |
The course delivers the skills and knowledge to manage books effectively. It includes manual double entry bookkeeping, and associated documents and processes, up to trial balance standard. There are two units of study: Bookkeeping Transactions and Bookkeeping Controls.
Introduction to Bookkeeping
This unit introduces students to the double-entry bookkeeping system and the associated documents and processes. Students will reach the stage of extracting an initial trial balance, before any adjustments are made.
It provides students with the skills necessary to operate a manual double-entry bookkeeping system and provides a strong foundation for progression to more advanced manual and computerised activities.
Learning outcomes are:
· Understanding financial transactions within a bookkeeping system.
· Processing customer transactions.
· Processing supplier transactions.
· Processing receipts and payments.
· Processing transactions through the ledgers to the trial balance.
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
This unit is about control accounts, journals and methods of payment. It takes students through reconciliation processes and the use of the journal to the stage of redrafting the trial balance, following initial adjustments.
It covers more complex Foundation level bookkeeping procedures, which will enable students to develop their understanding of the relationship between the various accounting records and
consolidate their knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping. Students will gain the confidence they need to perform well in the workplace and the unit will prepare them for greater responsibility.
Learning outcomes are:
· Understanding payment methods.
· Understanding controls in a bookkeeping system.
· Using control accounts.
· Using the journal.
· Reconciling a bank statement with the cash book.
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.
Learning outcomes are:
· 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.
Learning outcomes are:
· 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.
We have partnered with to deliver this course through our flexible Online and On Campus model.
Online, you will study award-winning video lessons, which are available on demand, and can be viewed from your phone, tablet or computer – meaning you can choose how, when and where you want to study. Lessons last for around 45 minutes and are accompanied by animations and motion graphics to bring concepts to life. Practice questions, downloadable lesson materials and interactive case studies help to enhance the learning experience further and learners should expect to spend around 4-5 hours studying independently online each week.
On campus, you benefit from regular classes with a college tutor – without having to commit to attending multiple evenings each week. Your tutor will review what you have learnt during your online lessons and will be on hand to provide guidance on progress and assessment. Regular discussion with classmates will help to reinforce key points while also providing the additional support and motivation that comes from being part of a group.
On successful completion of this course, students can progress to higher levels of AAT Accounting qualifications (Level 3 and then Level 4).
Students completing the AAT Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping can progress onto the full AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting.
The skills and knowledge you will gain throughout this qualification will qualify you for roles including Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant, Credit Control Assistant or Purchase Ledger Clerk.
