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Key Details

Course Area:

Business and Accounts

Student Type:

19+ student

Course Type:

Part-time FE course

Course Introduction

The Level 2 Certificate in Accounting is ideal for anyone wishing to study accountancy and finance alongside a range of complementary business and personal skills.

Classes will be delivered every week during 24/25 and additional resources are made available to support independent and follow up study outside of classes - these can be online and/or physical book resources based on your course and level. Evening courses are available on some levels which allow for blended learning where 2 hours of your course is online study.

AAT is the UK’s leading professional body offering skills-based accountancy and finance qualifications. Their qualifications are practical, internationally recognised and can open doors in any industry across the world.
Students should choose the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting if they’re interested in developing transferable business and personal skills alongside their core accountancy skills. This qualification may also be valuable for those entering the workplace for the first time or for those changing careers who would like additional support in upskilling to enter, or re-enter, a business environment.

A student completing this qualification will develop accountancy skills in double-entry bookkeeping and basic costing, as well as an understanding of purchase, sales and general ledgers. Students will learn an understanding of accounting software and develop the professional skills and behaviours needed to contribute effectively in the workplace. Working in accountancy requires good communication skills, IT skills and an understanding of the business environment, all of which are covered by this qualification.

The focus of the programme of study will be:

  • The education and training of learners who wish to be employed in a variety of types of accounting related work.
  • Developing the knowledge, understanding and skills of learners from an accounting viewpoint.
  • To provide opportunities for part-time learners to gain a nationally recognised level 2 vocationally specific qualification.

Units include:

  • Introduction to Bookkeeping
  • Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
  • Principles of Costing
  • The Business Environment

Please note this course is for learners aged 19+ only.

Course Information

AAT Certificate in Accounting

Level 2

Entry requirements for this course are:

  • You must be aged 19+
  • GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of grade grade 4/C (or Functional Skills at Level 2). If you do not have this, you will be asked to undertake English and maths assessments to determine the level you are working at. If the results of the tests show that your English and maths skills are below Level 2, you will need to enrol for either GCSE or Functional Skills to support your studies.

The four units are assessed individually through computer-based end-of-unit assessments at the City Hub. This qualification also includes a synoptic assessment that draws on and assesses knowledge and understanding from across a number of units.

The finance, accountancy, business and communication skills developed in the AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting can lead to employment as:

  • An accounts administrator
  • An accounts assistant
  • An accounts payable clerk
  • A trainee accounting technician

You can also progress onto the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting.

Students are responsible for registering with the AAT and paying student membership fees directly to them (currently £65). This fee covers the time studying level 3, up to a maximum of 3 years.