Mode of Study

Evening

Start Date

3rd Sep 2024, 36 weeks

Location

City Campus

Cost

£ 1325

Overview

The Certificate in Accounting covers drafting financial statements, managing budgets and evaluating financial performance, as well as optional specialist units including business tax, personal tax, external auditing, credit management, and cash and treasury management.  

It covers higher accounting tasks and can lead to a range of more senior finance roles.  

About AAT   

AAT works across the globe with around 130,000 members in more than 90 countries. AAT graduates are represented at every level of the finance and accounting world, including students studying for a career in finance, people already working in accountancy and self-employed business owners. AAT members are ambitious, focused accounting professionals.   

Many AAT graduates occupy senior, well rewarded positions with employers from blue-chip corporate giants to public sector institutions. AAT qualifications are universally respected and internationally recognised. Organisations hire AAT qualified members for their knowledge, skills, diligence and enthusiasm because AAT represents the highest standards of professionalism.   

In short, an AAT qualification is a route to some of the most in-demand skills in the world and provides our students and members with a professional status to be proud of.  

Why choose this qualification?   

The Level 6 Certificate in Accounting is ideal for anyone wishing to study accountancy and finance alongside a range of complementary business and personal skills. The purpose of the Level 6 Certificate in Accounting is to offer the foundation accounting knowledge needed to progress to employment or further study in accountancy and finance, alongside business and personal skills that are transferable to any sector and additional business knowledge relevant to accountancy. The qualification offers a broader focus across several subject areas which enhances employability and is particularly suitable for young people studying full-time

Students should choose the Level 6 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 need additional support in upskilling to enter, or re-enter, a business environment. In developing this qualification, AAT has carried out extensive consultation with and received input from a wide variety of stakeholders, including industry experts, employers and training providers. AAT qualifications benefit from being globally recognised and they’re valued by leading employers, from small high street firms to large accountancy businesses. They offer students flexible study options, with over 500 AAT Approved training providers around the world.

What does the qualification cover?

The Level 6 Certificate in Accounting covers a broad range of core accounting skills, as well as accountancy-related business skills and personal skills. Key themes have also been introduced throughout the suite of accounting qualifications, including technology, ethics, sustainability and communication. 

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

Working in accountancy requires good communication skills, information technology (IT) skills and an understanding of the business environment, as well as an understanding of daily finance/accounting functions. The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that students are well-rounded and well-prepared to progress into a career in business, finance or professional accountancy, or onto further education. 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 get 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 qualification develops additional business skills that have particular relevance to those working in accountancy, finance and general business roles. Students are introduced to elements of commercial law that might have an impact on them when working in accountancy, such as contract law, employment law and company law. In addition, students will further develop their business communication and personal skills and will learn how to manage their personal and professional development through lifelong learning.

This course runs from September to June on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 

Please note the course fee covers your teaching and one pre-scheduled attempt at each exam.  You will have to purchase a range of books and AAT membership to complete this course, the additional costs are around £300. 

 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• National 5 English and Numeracy at Grade C or above; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

After the course

Careers

The accountancy and business skills developed by studying this qualification will enable a student to seek employment with confidence and/or to progress to the next level of learning. A student completing this qualification will develop skills in double-entry bookkeeping and will understand how to use journals, control accounts and a trial balance. Students will also gain an understanding of accounting software packages, how to process financial information in accordance with company procedures and schedules, and how to provide information to colleagues, suppliers and/or customers as required. 

Skills developed through this qualification could lead to employment as: 

• Accounts Administrator
• Accounts Assistant 
• Accounts Payable Clerk 
• Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk 
• Trainee Accounting Technician 
• 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 Level 7 Diploma in Accounting.

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods