Mode of Study

Part-time

Start Date

4th Sep 2024, 36 weeks

Location

City Campus

Cost

£ 1791

Overview

The Professional Diploma 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?   

Students should choose the Level 8 Diploma in Professional Accounting as it maximises opportunities for employment within a wider accountancy context. 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. 

Who should study this qualification?   

The Level 8 Diploma in Professional Accounting offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue or progress their career in accountancy or finance. 

The purpose of the Level 8 Diploma in Professional Accounting is to enhance the skills developed from the Level 7 Diploma in Accounting, enabling students to maximise opportunities in their current or new employment. 

By studying for this qualification, students will acquire professional accountancy and finance skills that will be useful throughout their careers, including: 

• drafting financial statements for limited companies.   
• having the knowledge and skills to use complex management accounting techniques. 
• the ability to analyse accounting systems and their associated controls. 
• having knowledge and skills in specialist accountancy and finance subjects. 

The Level 8 Diploma in Professional Accounting qualification will suit those who: 

• have completed the Level 7 Diploma in Accounting and who would like to continue to build their accounting skills. 
• are already working in finance and would like a formal recognition of their skills. 
• would like to go on to become an AAT full member and/or study for chartered accountant status. 
• would like to start their own business through the AAT licensed members scheme. 

This course runs from September to June on Wednesday and Thursday. 

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 in order to complete this course, the additional costs are around £400. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Level 7 AAT Diploma, HNC Accounts; 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.

What you study

The Level 8 Diploma in Professional Accounting covers high-level accounting and finance topics and tasks. Students will look at and become comfortable with a wide range of financial management skills and applications and will gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategies and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports. 

Students will also learn about specialist areas such as tax, auditing, credit and debit management and cash and financial management. Key themes have also been introduced throughout the suite of accounting qualifications, including technology, ethics, sustainability and communication. 

This qualification comprises three mandatory units and two specialist units.  

The mandatory units are:   

• Applied Management Accounting. 
• Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements.  
• Internal Accounting Systems and Controls.  

The specialist units delivered at City of Glasgow College are:  

• Cash and Financial Management.  
• Credit and Debt Management. 

After the course

Careers

Once qualified, and having met AAT’s criteria, students can apply for full AAT membership, which will allow them to use the designatory letters MAAT after their name.   

However, the primary and most important outcome of the Level 8 Diploma in Professional Accounting is that it can lead to a wide variety of well-paid accountancy and finance jobs, some of which include:   

• Professional Accounting Technician.   
• Assistant Auditor.  
• Assistant Management Accountant.   
• Commercial Analyst.  
• Payroll Manager.   
• Senior Bookkeeper.   
• Senior Financial Officer.   
• Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor.   
• Assistant Financial Accountant.   
• Cost Accountant.   
• Fixed Asset Accountant.  
• Indirect Tax Manager.   
• Payments and Billing Manager.   
• Senior Fund Accountant.   
• Senior Insolvency Administrator.   
• Tax Supervisor.  
• VAT Accountant.  

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods