AAT – delivering finance skills that
add value
AAT training increases the effectiveness
of people at the centre of successful
businesses. We work with organisations
such as RSM Tenon, KPMG, P&G and
the Ministry of Defence to develop
skilled finance teams, and we’re ready
to help your business too.
Founded in 1980, we are the UK’s leading professional
accountancy body offering skills-based qualifications
in accounting and finance. We are sponsored by
chartered accountancy bodies: CIPFA, ICAEW,
CIMA and ICAS.
Over 65,000 people study AAT qualifications every year,
from companies and organisations of all sizes, across
all industry sectors. We have built our reputation by
offering cost-effective training that works for employers,
not just employees.
How AAT works for you and your staff
We offer practical, vocational training that not only turns
employees into experts, but will help you increase staff
productivity and motivation.
By supporting your staff to train with AAT, you can:
• attract, develop and retain the best people
• improve the management of cash flow and finance
– the lifeblood of your business
• s tay one step ahead through continuous
professional development
• p
roject a credible, authoritative image to partners
and clients
• a chieve all this without disruption to the day
to day management of your business.
Quick reference guide
Find out five ways that we help your business grow on the next page.
Find an overview of the skills and knowledge your staff will develop through our qualifications on page 4.
Discover what it means to progress to professional membership on page 8.
Find out about becoming an AAT accredited employer on page 10.
For your next step turn to page 11.
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Five ways we can help grow your business
1. We deliver expertise where it’s needed most
Our qualifications give your staff the skills to manage
cash flow, chase debtors more effectively and keep your
business on a secure financial footing. This makes a big
difference to the core of your business.
2. We help you attract and retain the best talent
We all feel more empowered and motivated when
we have the chance to develop our skills and move
our careers forward. By investing in training, you can
increase the value of your workforce and demonstrate
your commitment to their career progression.
3. We deliver practical skills that make a difference
From their first day of training, AAT students learn
techniques and processes that they can apply directly
at work – covering not only accountancy, but also
important communication and interpersonal skills.
They become more rounded, effective and committed
team players.
4. We work around you
Flexibility is fundamental to AAT because it’s all about
helping your staff to study while contributing effectively
to your business. This extends to the delivery of our
qualifications with part-time and distance learning
options offered at over 400 training providers across
the UK.
5. We keep you one step ahead
Every AAT professional member commits to ensuring
their long-term effectiveness through continuing
professional development. So you can be sure your
employees are up to date in terms of knowledge and
skills, giving your company a competitive edge that
makes all the difference.
“We chose AAT as it’s a great way to
provide the relevant skill set for those
that work in finance. Our staff have
really benefited from their AAT training.
It’s given them greater confidence
in their abilities to progress to more
complex roles and it has also created
a great level of teamwork with students
supporting each other.”
Mark Baldwin
Head of Payment Services, BT
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Our qualifications
AAT Access – essentials in business
and finance
AAT Access, Level 1 Award in Accounting, is an
introductory qualification for those who will benefit
from learning the basics of accounting and
business communications.
This short qualification will give your employees a
confidence boost and a strong foundation to further
develop their finance skills.
It’s ideal for new employees as an induction course and
existing staff who have financial responsibilities within
their job roles. It’s also the perfect foundation for those
going on to Level 2 of the AAT Accounting Qualification.
AAT Access introduces basic accounting concepts of
single-entry bookkeeping and mathematical functions
using financial data. Students will develop practical
skills in essential accounting procedures, creating
business documents, accounting in a professional
environment and mathematics for accounting.
“AAT is the most practical and
useful accounts based qualification
out there – I don’t think anything
else can beat it.”
Lisa Newton MAAT
Managing Director, Boogles Ltd
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The AAT Accounting Qualification
The AAT Accounting Qualification will provide your
employees with practical accounting and financial
knowledge and skills, while also developing their
grasp of business. Achieving the qualification will
give them a firm grounding in accounting that will
make a real difference to your finance team.
It’s made up of three levels and each one is a
qualification in its own right. This gives you the option
to train your staff to the level that you need for your
business or support them right through to completion
of the full AAT Accounting Qualification.
Level 2 Certificate in Accounting*
The Level 2 Certificate in Accounting is the first level
of the qualification and is suitable for people new to
finance or looking to brush up on their foundation
knowledge and skills. It covers a range of basic
accounting practices and techniques, from costing and
double-entry bookkeeping to computerised accounting.
Level 3 Diploma in Accounting*
This level introduces more complex accounting tasks,
like maintaining cost accounting records and the
preparation of reports and returns. On completion of
this level, your staff will be able to prepare balance
sheets, and profit and loss accounts. They’ll be taught
professionalism in the workplace meaning that they’ll
be able to confidently work with and advise internal and
external clients. Complemented with the understanding
of how to treat VAT and complete VAT returns, you’ll
have a skilled member of staff ready to take their
training to the next level.
Level 4 Diploma in Accounting*
Level 4 will allow your staff to become proficient in
delivering high level accounting tasks. They’ll receive
training in drafting financial statements, managing
budgets and evaluating financial performance.
They'll also have the opportunity to specialise in areas
from tax to auditing and credit control. On completion
of this level, your staff will be perfectly placed to
become an AAT professional member and gain the
designatory letters MAAT after their name, and even
continue their studies to chartered accountancy.
View the full syllabus online at aat.org.uk/qualifications
*Levels 2, 3 and 4 equate to Levels 5, 6 and 8 in Scotland.
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AAT apprenticeships
Apprentices benefit from an invaluable
mix of theoretical learning and practical
training – a combination unmatched by
any other scheme and of great benefit
in the workplace. The AAT Accounting
Qualification fits perfectly on the
apprenticeship framework.
Apprenticeships provide formal, nationally recognised
training programmes for ambitious individuals, and the
opportunity to achieve a qualification while developing
hands-on skills and experience in the workplace.
Apprenticeships are proving popular with employers
– 92% of employers have found their apprenticeship
scheme has produced more motivated staff and a
higher level of job satisfaction (Learning and Skills
Council, February 2009).
Through apprenticeships you will nurture loyal
employees who, on completion of their AAT
apprenticeship, can fast-track to chartered accountancy.
Funding is available across all three levels of the
qualification providing a cost effective way of attracting,
developing and retaining productive and highly
skilled employees.
Taking on an apprentice is straight forward. You won't
be bombarded with forms and paperwork – your
employee’s training provider will do most of the
administration for you. You will need to commit to
supporting your apprentice’s time spent out of the
office, and provide a mentor for them at work.
The diagram below shows how the AAT Accounting
Qualification fits on to the apprenticeship framework
for England and Wales*.
Apprenticeship framework
AAT Accounting Qualification
Competence
Technical skills and knowledge
Employment rights
and responsibilities
On and off the
job learning
Transferable skills
Employment
Maths, English and ICT
For example,
trainee accountant
*For apprenticeship framework information for Scotland visit Skills Development Scotland at skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk and for
Northern Ireland visit the Department for Employment and Learning at delni.gov.uk
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“We see huge benefits from our
apprentices as they’re able to apply
their AAT training to their job from
day one. We also see a lot of agility
with our apprentices – we’re able
to flow them between departments
to leverage what they’ve learnt
through their training, which is
great for the business.”
Joanne Evans
Finance Manager, P&G
Cost-effective and flexible training
Flexibility to suit any work schedule
Fees
Flexibility is key to AAT – our course structures help your
staff to develop their skills while contributing effectively
to your business.
We know that implementing training requires a
commitment in terms of finance and time, and we’re
confident your investment will be a worthwhile one.
All assessments are computer based and can be
scheduled at any time, allowing you to manage
time and resource depending on workload, staff
absence and availability.
What’s more, you might be eligible for government
funding to support the cost of training.
We also have a network of over 400 training providers
across the UK, offering part-time and distance learning
options to suit you and your staff.
*Fees vary
Costs are broken down into two main categories:
• training provider fees* – paid to the training provider
to cover tuition and sometimes course materials
• A
AT fees – paid to AAT and includes admission,
membership and assessment fees.
More information on fees and funding can be found
on our website.
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Progressing to AAT professional
membership
Upon completion of the AAT Accounting
Qualification, students can apply to
become professional members.
When your staff member becomes an AAT professional
member, they commit to lifelong learning through our
continued professional development (CPD) framework.
They'll keep their skills up to date and their knowledge
fresh for the workplace, giving your company a
competitive edge.
Your organisation’s effectiveness depends on the
capabilities of your staff and it’s crucial they keep their
skills up to date so they can deal with new challenges.
AAT professional members use MAAT after their
name, giving them the professional status that reflects
the skills they’ve gained. It also shows their dedication
to maintaining and developing their competence.
After five years of senior and managerial work
experience, your staff can apply for fellow
membership (FMAAT).
We provide a wealth of exclusive support for our
members’ CPD – from free or discounted training
events, to technical and ethical helplines, podcasts
and email updates.
AAT membership journey
AAT professional membership
FMAAT / MIP*
MAAT / MIP*
AAT affiliate membership
AAT student membership
Level 4 Diploma in Accounting
Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
Work experience
Levels 2, 3 and 4 equate to Levels 5, 6 and 8 in Scotland. *MIP: AAT members registered or licensed on AAT’s scheme for members in practice.
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“I can see for myself the progress of
AAT students within our organisation
who have been placed in new roles
as a result of their advancement and
growing knowledge. The commitment
to study for AAT membership
shows a desire to be seen as an
achiever, which is a great thing for
any employer.”
David Stephenson FMAAT
Financial Accountant, Morrisons Supermarkets
Options after qualifying
Fast-track to chartered accountancy
Progression to university
The AAT Accounting Qualification is the perfect
foundation for further training, and our qualifications
provide generous exemptions to further study with all
of the UK chartered and certified accountancy bodies.
Once your staff have qualified they can continue
their training on a graduate programme. With
degree-pathways at over 30 UK universities, the AAT
Accounting Qualification provides excellent exemptions
on a range of accounting and finance-related degrees.
AAT is the fast-track, non-graduate route into chartered
accountancy. In fact, it's the only professional
qualification that gives your staff a quicker route
to chartered status.
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AAT employer accreditation
AAT's accredited employer scheme
recognises the significant role that
employers have in the professional
development of AAT student and
professional members through
ongoing training and support.
As an AAT accredited employer – a sign of excellence –
you are recognised for your provision of valuable
training and development for your AAT members.
This enables you to demonstrate your commitment
to the development of your workforce and send out
the right signals as an employer.
The scheme is free to join and open to everyone who
employs one or more AAT students or professional
members, from small and medium businesses to large
multinational organisations.
An additional benefit to being an accredited employer
is that your AAT professional members will automatically
meet their mandatory CPD requirements for maintaining
their MAAT/FMAAT status, simply by following your
internal training and development processes.
Hear from leading employers
Watch our short videos from AAT
accredited employers who we work
closely with, including RSM Tenon,
to see how our training has added value
to their business. Visit aat.org.uk/training
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“We benefit from having AAT student
and professional members because
we can rely on these people. And AAT
is seen as the gold standard within the
finance industry.”
Joanne Watts
Head of Accountancy Services
Hertfordshire County Council
Your next step
I want to develop an AAT training programme for my business
1. Visit aat.org.uk/mybusiness to find information on AAT training for your business.
2. Call our Account Management team on 0845 863 0795 to arrange a consultation to discuss the
training options to suit your business needs.
I’m ready to upskill my finance team and register them as an AAT
student member
1. Ask your staff to complete the AAT Skillcheck at aatskillcheck.org This will provide guidance on the
recommended level for your staff member to begin their training, based on their skills and knowledge.
2. Select a training provider, you can start your search at aat.org.uk/trainingproviders
3. Register your staff as an AAT student member at aat.org.uk/getregistered
I want to recruit a new finance staff member and start them on AAT training
1. Advertise your trainee vacancies on AAT Jobs – visit our dedicated finance and recruitment
site at aat-jobs.co.uk
2. Select a training provider, you can start your search at aat.org.uk/trainingproviders
3. Register your staff as an AAT student member at aat.org.uk/getregistered
And if you’re taking on an apprentice
4. Find more information from the relevant organisation for your region:
- for England visit the National Apprenticeship Service at apprenticeships.org.uk
- for Wales visit the Welsh Government at wales.gov.uk
- for Scotland visit Skills Development Scotland at skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
- for Northern Ireland visit the Department for Employment and Learning at delni.gov.uk
Information in this brochure was correct at time of printing, June 2012.
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Any questions?
Contact us today to find out more about AAT and our qualifications from our Account Management team.
Association of Accounting Technicians
140 Aldersgate Street
London
EC1A 4HY
Registered charity no. 1050724
38790612 – 5,000
Call us on 0845 863 0795. Lines are open 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday.
Email us at employer@aat.org.uk or visit aat.org.uk/mybusiness