ed h t · 2020. 2. 6. · 7 aat qualifications explained to become a fully qualified aat member,...
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ContentsWhat is AAT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Why study AAT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Where can AAT take you? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Can I study AAT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Changing career? You’re not alone! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What will it cost me? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
AAT Qualifications explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
How do I progress? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Which study method is right for you? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Why study with Kaplan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Your AAT checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Contact us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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What is AAT ?Congratulations on taking your first step towards a rewarding career with an AAT qualification!
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is one of the most popular qualifications to study if you’re new to accountancy and finance, or simply looking to progress your career.
You’ll learn practical real-world accounting and finance skills, such as: ❚ Interpreting financial statements ❚ Managing budgets ❚ Reporting to your company and making recommendations.
The knowledge you gain will equip you for a future in business, wherever you choose to work!
Why study AAT ? Universally respected and internationally recognised, AAT is popular for a reason!
You can start earning in a relevant job straight away whilst avoiding university debt. Plus your salary increases as you progress. Qualified AAT members earn
an average of £27,804* – increasing further with experience.
77% of students agree that studying for an AAT Accounting Qualification has increased their
earning potential.
76% of AAT members are satisfied with
their job.
Qualified members earn on average 40% more
once qualified.
*All statistics from 2019 AAT Salary Survey.3
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Where can AAT take you ?With an AAT qualification in your pocket, the world is your oyster!
❚ Gain the knowledge and confidence to be your own boss and start a business.
❚ Work in an industry you are passionate about. From football to fashion, every sector needs accountants!
❚ Get away from the desk and travel the world with an international company.
❚ Progress your studies further and become a chartered accountant.
Find out more about how your career will progress with our Career Timeline
Whilst studying, you’ll develop the skills to get your first role as an Accounts Assistant. As you get further through the qualification, you’ll be able to progress and specialise – with jobs such as Payroll Manager, Finance Analyst, Tax Manager and Bookkeeper becoming available.
Can I study AAT ?In short – yes! You don’t need any previous experience or qualifications to start studying AAT, just a willingness to learn!
It’ll give you a step onto the accountancy career ladder if you…
❚ Have recently left school or college.
❚ Work in accounts in a junior or administrative role.
❚ Are thinking of changing career to become an accountant.
Many believe that they don’t have the right qualifications or skills to start studying accountancy.
But whilst it does help to be comfortable with maths, English and using a computer, most accountants today use spreadsheets or accounting software to do a lot of the calculations and processes. So you certainly don’t need to be a maths or IT genius!
Find out more myths about starting in accountancy here
Our quick quiz suggests an area of accountancy you may find interesting based on your traits, personality and motivations.
Take the Quiz
Changing Career? You're not alone!Accountancy is one of the most popular choices for people who want a new career path, with new accountants coming from all walks of life.
Our research shows:
Check out more facts on switching your job to accountancy here
Finding the time to study
It can be tough to fit your studies around work and family. But long gone are the days when the only option you had was attending an evening class twice a week. If you prefer to study at your own pace, there are a range of Flexible Study Methods too where you can work through the content by yourself whenever you have some free time.
We also know that you’re not always going to be able to study solidly, or might want to take a study break. So we designed our AAT courses to have regular start dates, then if you do decide to take a break, it won’t be long before you can pick your studies back up again.
To see how it can be done, read our conversation with Julie, who balances AAT training with a management role and regular hospital appointments, whilst still looking after her two kids (and a black labrador!).
Read Now
of accountants previously had a different career
55%
of career changers are either happy or extremely happy in their new career
80%
would recommend a career in accountancy to a friend
4 in 5
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What will it cost me ?AAT offers a cost effective route into a high-paying, stable profession
– making it an great alternative to other qualifications.
* International university degrees three times cheaper than UK, The Telegraph, 11/01/17.
† Price correct as of August 2019. # Kaplan career changer survey.
On top of this, there’s lots of extra financial support available for AAT students.
In our survey, 60% of students said they got financial support from their employer or training provider.#
Working in an accounting role? You could study for free as an Apprentice, earning money and gaining work experience at the same time!
Learn more
Interest free payment plans. Kaplan offer interest free payment plans on our courses. So you can pay for your course over 6–12 months in smaller, affordable chunks. Plus, there’s no extra cost to do this! Learn more
Learn more about how AAT compares to University in our in-depth article
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£18,305Average yearly spend of UK undergraduates
on living and tuition costs*
£996†
Full cost of AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting via Kaplan Distance Learning
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AAT Qualifications ExplainedTo become a fully qualified AAT member, you need to complete three qualifications (sometimes called levels). Each of these is a full qualification in its own right, so even if you don’t want to complete all three, you will still have a respected credential to show for all your hard work!
AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting (Level 2)
What You Learn The Foundation Certificate covers the basic principles of accountancy, such as double-entry bookkeeping, costing and preparing financial statements, as well as how to use accounting software.
Time to Complete 6–12 months
Career Progression Land yourself a job in a junior or entry level accounts role, such as an Accounts Assistant or Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk.
AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting (Level 3)
What you Learn The Advanced Diploma builds on your knowledge gained at Foundation (level 2), teaching advanced bookkeeping, accounts preparation and ethics in accountancy.
Time to Complete 6–12 months*
Career Progression When you’ve completed the Advanced Diploma, jobs open to you can include Bookkeeper, Finance Assistant or Payroll Supervisor, with a nice salary increase too!
*Apprentices must take over 12 months to complete the course.
AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting (Level 4)
What you Learn The final level will teach you more complex accounting tasks such as budgeting, drafting financial statements and evaluating financial performance. You’ll also get to choose two optional subjects to specialise in. This could include tax, auditing or credit management. After this, you’ll be fully qualified!
Time to Complete 9–18 months
Career Progression You can apply to become a full AAT member and get the letters MAAT after your name, but more importantly you could get a job as a Payroll Manager, Senior Bookkeeper or Finance Analyst.
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How do I progress?It usually takes around three years to complete all three levels – depending on how much time you have to study of course!
Each level is broken up into separate units, with exams at the end of each unit. These exams are computer based assessments (CBAs), taken at an AAT Approved assessment venue such as a Kaplan centre.
There are no set dates for these exams – you can take the exams at any time, when you feel ready and confident!
Each level also includes a synoptic assessment, which tests your understanding of connections between the different topics covered across the Qualification, as well as additional syllabus areas. These are sat at specific times of the year.
To become a full AAT member, you also need relevant work experience that demonstrates your knowledge and skills.
Professional Diploma in Accounting Level 4 Optional units (choose 2 of 5 units)
Personal Tax Business Tax Credit Management
Cash and Treasury Management External Auditing
Foundation Certificate in Accounting Level 2 (5 units)
Bookkeeping Transactions
Bookkeeping Controls
Elements of Costing
Using Accounting Software
Work Effectively in Finance
SYNOPTIC ASSESSMENT
Professional Diploma in Accounting Level 4 Mandatory units (4 units)
Financial Statements of Limited Companies
Management Accounting: Budgeting
Management Accounting: Decision and Control
Accounting Systems and Controls
SYNOPTIC ASSESSMENT
Advanced Diploma in Accounting Level 3 (6 units)
Advanced Bookkeeping Final Accounts Preparation Management Accounting: Costing
Indirect Tax Ethics for AccountantsSYNOPTIC ASSESSMENT
Spreadsheets for AccountingSYNOPTIC ASSESSMENT
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Still unsure which of these study methods is best suited to you? Answer 7 simple questions to find which one we recommend for your unique learning style. You’ll then get a chance to try it for free with an in-depth demo.
Take our Quiz
Which study method is right for me?Many factors can affect how you perform in your AAT exams, but one key question is frequently overlooked – what’s the best study method to use?
Your unique learning style and situation can make all the difference to your AAT success. Pick the wrong study method and you may face a tough journey, even if you are well suited to the subject.
Luckily, Kaplan has four different ways to study AAT to suit different needs. Not sure about whether structured or flexible learning is right for you? Find out more below.
F lexibleIs this right for me?
StructuredIs this right for me?
ClassroomA traditional scheduled programme, with face to face tutor led classes at one of 21 centrally located Kaplan Training Centres.
Learn more
OnDemandAn online course with resources specifically
designed for online learning, with the flexibility to start studying anytime, anywhere.
Learn more
Live OnlineLive interactive online classes at a set time
with expert tutors. Every session is recorded so you can watch them back later.
Learn more
Distance LearningStudy independently in your own time,
at your own pace, using a range of online and printed learning materials.
Learn more
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If you’ve decided that AAT is the right qualification for you, and you’ve decided how you should study, the final question is – why study with Kaplan?
Because we listen! We’ve recently redesigned all our courses based on student feedback, to give you the best chance of completing your studies, whatever study method you choose.
*Top 10 UK accountancy firms taken from Accountancy Age 2018 Top 50+50 survey. All students have purchased a course within the last 6 months as of May 2019.
Extended opening hoursAvailable until 8pm on weekdays and
9am–1pm on weekends.
Exceptional pass ratesOur pass rates consistently exceed the national
average, so you can be confident of success when you choose us.
UK’s largest accountancy training providerWe train over 40,000 accountants each year so
you can be confident when studying with us.
Guaranteed response in 4 hours or less Get instant tutor support via Live Chat or
within 4 hours by email or callback.
Fully marked mock exams and a wealth of practice questions
You’ll get feedback highlighting what went well and what was incorrect, so you can focus your
time on the areas you need to improve.
8 of the top 10 UK accountancy firms have employees studying with us*
It’s not just about quantity. Top firms choose Kaplan to give their employees the best
learning experience.
Why study with Kaplan ?
Contact us
0161 259 7400
We know that starting AAT can be overwhelming, so we have put together a handy checklist below to guide you through the process from start to finish. Follow these steps and you’ll be AAT qualified in no time!
If you have any questions at all about starting AAT with Kaplan, please feel free to get in touch:
6 Start StudyingYou should now have everything in place to be able to start your training – now hit those books and schedule your first exam when you feel ready!
1 Choose your courseMake sure AAT is right for you, and find out which level you should start with.
2 Choose your study methodFlexible or structured, in class or at home? Pick the study method that will give you the best chance of success.
3 Choose your training providerThat’s where we come in! Decide who you would like to study with based on factors such as tutor support and course content.
4 Check your funding optionsYou might be surprised at what is available to you. And always ask your employer if they are willing to help fund your studies.
5 Register with AATSeparate to your training provider, you also need to register as an AAT student with the institute itself. Otherwise you can’t take your exams!
Your AAT checklist