AAT Level 3 & 4 Accounting
Have you already passed AAT Level 2 or equivalent? Do you already have 2-3 accounting experience and fully understand manual double-entry bookkeeping. If your answer is yes, the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting is your perfect starting point.
The Level 3 Diploma starts at the month-end procedures where the Certificate in Accounting Level 2 finished. Level 3 will introduce you to financial reporting for sole traders, partnerships and small limited companies. In addition you will learn about more complex management accounting reports. On successful completion of the Level 3, you studies during Level 4 will move into drafting statutory financial statements, reporting frameworks, internal control systems, tax computations and much more. At the end of your Professional Level 4 studies, you will become an AAT Accountant with "MAAT" letters after your name.
By studying the UK's leading professional qualification, AAT, you will become part of the elite group of UK and international students who look forward to a high-level lifetime career in accountancy.
At Gold Edge Training we deliver the high-end education that great careers are made from. Our online courses are bespoke and individually targeted to each learner based on their natural learning style. Our selection of online learning materials, live and records lectures, 7-days a week tutor support and unique coaching support is second to none.
Coaching students to achieve optimum levels of study and therefore success is a unique part of the Gold Edge Training programmes that is not offered by any other college. Our exceptionally high student pass rates are not a chance occurrence. We coach students with the essential skills to become the best learners they can be and their reward is their high levels achievement.
Those essential skills are:
Develop a positive learning attitude
As we go through education, it is natural that we unwittingly develop negative learning traits that are very damaging to what we can achieve. Our coaches deliver techniques that permanently eliminate old negativities and replace them with a positive learning attitude of 'I can do' and therefore 'I will achieve'. Once this mind set is in place, the complexities of what you are learning halve in difficulty because you believe you can achieve.
Set personalised and achievable targets
Motivation and confidence grows by achieving different milestones. We set you realistic targets based on your available time to study. This means your targets are set to challenge you whilst also being achievable to allow growth.
How to improve recall
Part of a positive learning attitude is belief and trust in yourself. We will teach you processes that recognise the difference between 'I have forgotten and need to revisit' and 'slow recall'. Once you learn these techniques you will trust and develop your recall.
Effective Study Time Management
In any session of study you can waste up to an hour through non-productive learning i.e. setting yourself up to learn and getting back into the learning zone of the last session. Our coaches will advise on easy ways to avoid set up times and most importantly, they will teach you how to 'study grab' between learning sessions. Effective 'study grabbing' means you're ready to hit the ground running at the start of all study sessions without taking extra time from your non-study times.
Completion Rates*
98.0%
95.0%
92.0%
CBA Pass rate*
75.1%
58.9%
63.7%
0% Finance Options
From £116.25 per month
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Course completion times, 15 months for AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and 18 months for the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting - We deliver structured study that incorporates ample time to complete at your pace.
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You become one of the renowned Gold Edge high achievers by studying the Gold Edge Training way.
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Our learning portal is open 24/4 and your award winning tutor's support is available 7 days a week.
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There are over 200 AAT assessment centres across the UK to sit your exams. Whatever your location, work or home, you will be in close travelling distance to your local AAT approved assessment centre.
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Your AAT Level 3 and Level 4 varied resources include - Multi-viewable recorded lectures - invitations to attend live classroom sessions – key topic animation to consolidate knowledge & interactive online learning and testing of your understanding – Printed materials supplied are hardcopy Kaplan study textbooks and exam kit books.
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Computer based online exams fee and one off AAT memberships fee are additional costs. AAT registration can be purchased at enrolment.
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If you are employer sponsored wanting all fees included, please complete an enquiry form on our website giving your details and your postcode so we can locate the prices of your local assessment centre. We will send you a specific quote by return.
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Average completion time based on 6-8 hours of study a week for our online courses are 34 weeks for accounting Level 3 and 34 weeks for Level 4 - View these timeframes as average guidance that most students easily achieve with weeks to spare. Some slower learners who have less time to study will take longer, but still easily able to complete in the allotted time.
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Fast response – for coaching and tutor support to ensure learning continuity.
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We offer affordable interest free instalment finance plans.
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Enrolment 365 days a year on all AAT qualifications.
A TOTUM PRO Student Discount Card
Our students can benefit from the many discounts offered by having a TOTUM PRO membership (formerly known as NUS extra). The card allows you to get discounts and deals in restaurants, fashion, tech to travel, and daily essentials. Keep your card with you at all times and benefit from many of the current 400 open offers.
Gold Edge Training was founded in 2012 with the belief and determination that all students should have an equal chance at AAT success. To achieve this, we created a programme that embraced the individuality of each learner and delivered a diverse range of learning resources that ensured all learning styles were met.
Many past Gold Edge students who are now successful qualified accountants say, their AAT success was achieved by being able to learn their way, using the Gold Edge Training way. The essential coaching skills they learnt during their AAT studies, were the stepping stones of confidence they used to move on and pass their chartered examinations after AAT.
During out teams 40 years of collective teaching, we have listened and learnt from the needs of our students. Our empathetic approach has meant that each stage of our AAT programmes development has been driven by the feedback and direct needs of students. We learn from your points of view and we act on what we learn.
Important benefits of bespoke learning style delivery:
Flexible learning AAT courses to work with your other commitments
You control when, how and where you learn. We support you at the same pace as your learning speed – Our courses are flexible study anywhere programmes. You tell us how many hours you have to study and we produce your personalised timetable to fit.
Kaplan hard copy study textbooks & exam kit books - All courses are accompanied by top of the range hard copy study textbook and and exam kit books produced by Kaplan.
Optimum learning is learning from many resources and methods - We offer a variety of methods and resources to give a selection of ways to learn. You absorb knowledge differently from each of those method or resources. Collectively, you will gain a deeper and broader level of understanding from the variety than you would from a standard, one source of learning programme.
Recorded & Live online classroom
We offer live lectures in the day and evening for all levels. Listening to the lectures will give you a detailed insight into each of the topics within your learning. Your tutor will breakdown the subject matter into to bitesize learning for easy knowledge absorption. As with all classroom lectures, you will have the opportunity to complete exercises throughout the lecture to consolidate understanding.
Online interactive content
Another source of learning is the interactive online materials, which adds a different dimension to your learning. Alongside the above resources you can down load a range of course workbooks, access animations, complete interactive questions and watch various videos. You will also have access to PowerPoint presentations and additional manual question banks and practice exams.
Four-stage revision programme
Our courses ensure you have not only studied the course, we also fully prepare to pass your exams. Our 4-stage integrated revision programme takes your knowledge from learning stage knowledge to exam pass ready ready knowledge. The revision programme includes: The AAT green light that tests the depth of your knowledge before full revision begins - we give you a full exam kit of questions written in exam format to transfer your question technique from learning phase to exam phase - we offer you live and recorded exam preparation session that are full of watch out for exam tips and finally, a number exam practice papers to conclude your preparations.
The AAT qualification is designed to deliver layers of accountancy knowledge that develops you into a qualified AAT accountant.
Your Level 3 studies will teach you how to prepare financial statements and manage accounting systems. You will learn financial management skills, operating procedures, planning and risk assessment plus relevant legislation to oversee and work within the accounting function of a company.
During your Level 3 accounting course you will learn about the tax implications of VAT, payroll, national insurance and reporting taxation. As part of the management planning process you will learn ethical principles to estimate future cash transactions, prepare limited company financial statements within IFRS legal and professional rules.
During your AAT Professional Diploma your studies will move into managerial accounting and corporate finance. Your studies will cover all aspects of taxation including, income tax, looking at taxation systems, reviewing tax planning opportunities within the regulatory and conceptual frameworks. Your tax studies will cover inheritance tax, national insurance contributions, personal tax. You will prepare tax computations and calculate income tax in line with UK taxpayers requirements. Finally in tax, you will learn to compute business taxes and capital gains tax. In addition you will study, audit and assurance techniques, audit and assurance services to ensure compliance with the audit and assurance framework.
Your AAT Level 4 will further build your skills for interpreting financial statements and producing consolidated financial statements. You will learn the intricacies of appropriate debt management systems in line with credit risk and contract law. You will also understand financial management credit, how to assess credit risk within a credit control environment whilst also ensuring that both credit and debt management remains healthy and in control.
In contrast to knowing how to draft consolidated financial statements you will look at management accounting, internal accounting systems and accounting systems strategies. Through your developed understanding of accounting system, you will become conversant in recommending accounting systems strategies.
In order to control credit risks, you will learn how to manage cash flows, cash budgets, cash receipts by using applied management accounting. You will learn about raising finance and managing finance. As accounting technicians you will review organisational planning process to ensure compliance with the law and the organisation's accounting system.
Your AAT Assessment Schedule
There are 4 modules to complete AAT Level 3. At the end of each module you will sit an exam as follows:
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Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements - 1 exam
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Management Accounting Techniques - 1 exam
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Tax Processes for Businesses - 1 exam
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Business Awareness - 1 exam
There are 5 modules to complete AAT Level 4. At the end of each module you will sit an exam as follows:
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Mandatory Units:
Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting Q2022
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Applied Management Accounting - 1 exam
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Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements - 1 exam
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Internal Accounting Systems and Control
Choose 2 of 5 options listed below:
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Business Tax - 1 exam
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Personal Tax - 1 exam
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Audit and Assurance - 1 exam
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Cash and Financial Management - 1 exam
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Credit and Debt Management - 1 exam
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When to book your exams - You will see on your timetable that you should book your exams at the start of the revision process. This both helps your end goal targets and also gives you more flexibility on exam date choices.
AAT exams are sat when you are ready and not on specific dates. Most assessment centres will offer weekly dates to book.
If you already have experience and understand double-entry bookkeeping, AAT Level 3 is your ideal starting point.
We enrol students from 14 years upwards. There are no upper limits.
To study AAT distance learning you will require access to a PC or Laptop. The learning platforms are both Windows and Mac compatible.
Employment options
Accountancy is top profession and a career for life. As all accountancy study is underpinned by international financial reporting statement, your UK AAT accountancy qualifications are transferrable worldwide.
The AAT is the leading accountancy qualification for employers.
Below are average salaries for Level 3 and 4 achievers:
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Accountancy and Finance roles - £27,000
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Team Leader/Supervisor - £28,000
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Middle Manager - £36,000
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Director/Senior Manager - £46,000
* Please note the salaries above are the median mid-point from survey participants only. These salaries will vary with level of experience, position held, company size and geographic location.
Q. I have a lot of prior accountancy experience and eligible to start at Level 3. Will this affect me becoming an AAT Accountant?
A. No. The AAT Certificate in Accounting Level 2 is not a compulsory level of study. If you already have the knowledge gained at the Level 2 then you are naturally exempt from needing to study it. Likewise if you already hold an accountancy degree, you can begin your AAT studies at Professional Level 4. Becoming an AAT Accountant is reliant on passing the Level 4 not on the levels prior to that.
Q. What jobs can I do when I am an AAT accountant?
A. In principle the jobs available to you in accountancy once qualified is only limited by your ambition and current experience. As with all professions job suitability is a balance of qualification and experience. As your experience grows, the level of career will grow too.
Q. Do I have to study the 3 levels. I have a non-accounting degree, can I start at level 4
A. Most students regardless of other qualifications will start at Level 2. Accountancy is a picture of knowledge that has to be built at each level. You cannot miss any of the content. Level 3 is underpinned by the knowledge learnt at Level 2. Level 4 is underpinned by the knowledge learnt at Levels 2 and 3. A non-accounting degree cannot get you exemptions from any AAT studies.
