AAT Level 2 - Certificate in Accounting

This foundational qualification prepares you to become an Accounts Administrator and earn a respected industry credential. No previous accounting knowledge is needed to start this course. It offers a solid grounding in essential accounting skills such as double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing, and managing sales and purchase ledgers. Ideal for beginners, this qualification is an excellent starting point before advancing to more advanced Level 3 and 4 courses.

What it covers?

This qualification provides a strong foundation in finance administration and core accounting skills, including double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing, and the management of purchase, sales, and general ledgers.

In addition, students will gain insights into essential business and personal skills related to accountancy. The course also introduces four key themes integral to the qualification: ethics, technology, communication, and sustainability.

4 units (syllabus) to complete:

1. Introduction to Bookkeeping

This unit offers students a comprehensive understanding of both manual and digital bookkeeping systems, including the relevant documents and processes. Students will gain insight into the fundamental principles of double-entry bookkeeping systems.

This unit accounts for 25% of the overall qualification grade.

Learning outcomes

• Understand how to set up bookkeeping systems.
• Process customer transactions.
• Process supplier transactions.
• Process receipts and payments.
• Process transactions into the ledger accounts.

2. Principals of Bookkeeping Controls

This unit builds on the knowledge and skills gained from the Introduction to Bookkeeping course, delving into control accounts, journals, and reconciliations. Students will learn to prepare value-added tax (VAT) control accounts, as well as receivables and payables ledger accounts. They will also use journals to record various transactions, including error corrections. Additionally, students will develop the ability to redraft the initial trial balance after making necessary adjustments.

This unit accounts for 25% of the overall qualification grade.

Learning outcomes

• Use control accounts.
• Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book.
• Use the journal.
• Produce trial balances.

3. Principles of Costing

This unit introduces students to the principles of basic costing, laying a solid foundation for more advanced costing and management accounting tasks. Students will understand the role of costing systems as essential tools for management, helping to plan, make informed decisions, and control costs.

This unit accounts for 20% of the overall qualification grade.

Learning outcomes

• 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.

4. The Business Environment

This unit offers a comprehensive understanding of essential business concepts and their practical application within both internal and external environments relevant to the workplace. Students will explore the fundamentals of the legal system, including key principles of contract law, and gain insight into the legal implications of establishing a business and the potential consequences involved. Additionally, the unit provides an understanding of organisational structures and the role of the finance function within these frameworks.

This unit accounts for 30% of the overall qualification grade.

Learning outcomes

• 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.

Who is it suitable for?

This entry-level bookkeeping qualification is ideal for:

• Individuals with limited or no prior bookkeeping or accounting knowledge, who want to establish a foundation before progressing to more advanced qualifications (many students begin at Level 2).
• Non-native English speakers who wish to familiarise themselves with English accounting terminology.
• Those returning to study after a long break and seeking a gentle reintroduction to exams.
• Employers aiming to upskill their staff in bookkeeping and accounting.
• Individuals considering a career change and wanting a quick way to determine if they enjoy accounting.
• Those looking to earn an accounting qualification quickly.

Potential Career Opportunities

Upon completing this qualification, you will be well-prepared to apply for roles such as:

• Accounts administrator
• Accounts assistant
• Accounts payable clerk
• Purchase/sales ledger clerk
• Trainee accounting technician
• Trainee finance assistant

How long it takes?

The qualification usually takes around 12 months to complete, but this will depend on study method and course timetable. Most students can potentially complete this qualification a little quicker in 6 months. If the student aim to fast-track on their study method and course timetable.

How and where to study?

You can choose to study through online distance learning, blended learning, or in the classroom—whatever suits you best. Whether you prefer evening classes, part-time, or full-time study, there’s an option to fit your schedule. Even if you opt for distance learning, you'll need to find a training provider. We’ll assist you every step of the way, including with registration. Once a cohort of students is registered, we’ll schedule sessions at times that work best for the group.

What to expect from us?

We provide flexible study options through block-teaching sessions, available both online and in-person, tailored to fit your lifestyle and schedule. To ensure personalised support and cost-effective delivery, we create small cohorts of learners, allowing us to offer comprehensive attention to each individual.

For those in full-time employment, we recognise the challenges of balancing work and personal commitments. That's why we schedule sessions around your availability, including daytime, evenings, and weekends. Throughout your studies, you’ll receive continuous support and guidance from your personal AAT tutor, who will be with you every step of the way.

You will have seven-day-a-week access to our team of fully qualified, highly experienced tutors and course advisors, selected for their deep industry knowledge. Our mission is to equip you with everything needed to confidently progress through your AAT course and achieve your qualification in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.

What is the cost?

The total cost for the course, including all registration and assessment fees, is £1,182. This includes:

• A course fee of £700, which covers tuition (if attending in-person classes) and is paid directly to us.
• The standard qualification fee is £437. This fee is made up of:
• a one-off registration fee of £180, paid directly to AAT. This registration fee will give you access to the qualification for its lifetime, typically four to five years, and access to the study support resources, and enable you to sit the qualification assessments
• 4-unit assessments, three at £63 each and one at £68.

The registration fee, paid directly to AAT, grants access to study support resources and covers assessment scheduling for the duration of the qualification, typically four to five years. The assessment fee is paid to your us or assessment venue.

Please be aware that training providers and assessment venues may charge an additional administrative fee for the assessment, which can vary between organisations.

Entry requirements

Students can start with any qualification depending on existing skills and experience. For the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and maths.

If you already have some accounting experience, use the AAT Skill check to assess your knowledge and determine the most suitable qualification to start with. We will assist you on this entry requirements. Please contact us for your skills check.

Exemptions

Those who can provide evidence of gaining a previous, relevant qualification from an external awarding body may not have to sit all AAT assessments.

We believe that if you've already studied qualification units featuring the same content, you shouldn't need to duplicate work. This means students can fast track onto the most appropriate AAT qualification.

Students may be eligible for exemptions if they have:

• previous finance or accounting qualifications
• an accounting or finance degree.

Contact us about studying an AAT Qualification

• Whatsapp: +44(0)7841144988    
• Email: admin@aprcb.com

We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

Office Hours:

Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 UK time