AAT Level 2 & 3 Accounting

• Course completion times, 12 months for AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting and 15 months for AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting - We ensure you have plenty of time to complete without stress.

• You will join and become one of our renowned high achievers – everyone is capable of achieving their best when coached to follow the bespoke Gold Edge way.

• Easy access 24/7 study via our learning portal – Expert tutor support available 7 days a week.

• AAT assessments can be sat at any of the 200 assessment centres in the UK. You're never far from an exam location.

• Your AAT Level 2 and 3 courses have a varied and diverse range of resources available - Recorded classroom that are multi-viewable - invitations to live classroom –key topic animation & interactive online learning – Printed materials supplied are hardcopy Kaplan books for manual learning and revision.

• Computer based online exams fee and one off AAT memberships fee are additional costs.

• Average completion time based on 6-8 hours of study a week is 30 weeks for level 2 and 34 weeks for accounting Level 3 - These are average completion times and dependant on previous knowledge and skills, speed of learning and available study time.

• Fast turnaround – coaching and tutor support for study continuity.

• Multiple payment options available.

• Enrolment 365 days a year.

A TOTUM PRO Student Discount Card

As a student you can apply for a TOTUM PRO membership (formerly known as NUS extra). The card will offer you multiple discounts in a wide variety of locations. There are currently over 400 offers available.

Gold Edge Training was founded in 2012 with the aim of becoming a college that made a difference in how learners learnt. Gone was the stereo typical 'one type of programme fits all learners' and in came the recognition that all learners were different. From the outset the distance learning AAT courses were renowned for high achieving students nationwide. Our training provider exam pass rate far exceeded the Association of Accounting Technicians national average pass rates from year one to now.

The Gold Edge Training team have taught thousands of AAT students the Gold Edge way since its launch. Many now qualified accountants say they passed their AAT exams because they were able to learn how it made sense to them rather than how it made sense to others.

Our coaching programme was designed and written by our head of faculty. Alongside teaching and pioneering learning style online delivery, she has specialised in developing the learning skills of accountancy students for over 24 years. 

Our teaching team have a collective pedigree of AAT experience spanning nearly 40 years. Over that time we have developed an understanding of AAT students. We act on what we learn from their needs and we deliver our programmes the way you want us to.

Important benefits of bespoke learning style delivery:

Flexible learning AAT courses to meet other commitments

You control when, how and where you learn and set your own pace of study – We support at the pace you set. We design the course around you giving total flexibility within the completion timeframe. You set the pace of study and we support at that same pace.

Kaplan hard copy study textbooks & exam kit books

Optimum learning is balanced learning. With Gold Edge you benefit from learning in different ways to increase the depth of your understanding - We offer a variety of resources to firstly meet all learning style and secondly, to give the widest range of learning methods. You learn differently from each method of learning. For instance, fine detail learning is gained from the study textbook. Whereas a more defined picture is delivered through the recorded lectures. When each method is combined, you achieve a deeper and broader level of understanding.

Recorded & Live online classroom

We offer live classroom sessions in the day and evening for Levels 2 and 3.  Equal benefits are gained from watching the live or recorded tutor led lectures. Which method you choose is down to your learning style. Live lessons best suits auditory. The recorded live sessions meet personal availability and the learning style of visual, kinaesthetic and reflective learners. As your study progresses and with coaching support, you will enhance your learning experience through matching resources and methods to how you learn best.

Online interactive content

All resources will benefit all students to varying degrees. As you learn you will recognise which resources should lead your lesson and which should follow. We offer a full online range of course workbooks, animations, interactive questions and videos in addition to the recorded and live classroom and hardcopy books. Amongst the online resources you will find PowerPoint presentations, additional manual question banks and practice exams.

Four-stage revision programme

We are the only college to incorporate a free 4-stage revision programme. We leave nothing to chance in your exam preparation. Our aim is your success: AAT green light testing to check depth of understanding – completing circa 200 manual exam kit questions - recorded exam preparation session and finally, exam practice papers, all ensure you are at optimum exam level when entering your exam. Follow our programme, and you will join our high achieving student community.

You don't need previous qualifications to study an AAT course at Level 2. The AAT Accounting qualifications starts at the very beginning by looking at the finance function from a business environment perspective whilst also being aware of corporate social responsibility. Accounting technicians are expected to learn in depth from basic principles of accounting through to the complexities of preparing financial statements. As you study the AAT level 3, your learning will broaden into knowing how the finance function fits both financial accounting and management accounting.

Financial accounting and management accounting studies begin at Level 2. From the outset, you will gain a good understanding of bookkeeping controls principles, introduction to bookkeeping, bookkeeping principles, double entry bookkeeping systems with ledger accounts, business awareness, sales ledger control accounts, purchase ledger control accounts.

On the management accounting side you will study cost recording techniques that support cost calculations in both basic costing and later advanced level costing. You'll learn what lay behind the principles of costing and how business awareness within an organisation can ensure cost effective management.

The AAT is the industry recognised qualification that delivers the skills necessary for all accounting roles including employed and self employed. To increase your employability, we also include Sage accounting software to enhance your package. Distance learning students completing both manual and computerised accounting studies will offer more skills to an organisation who are looking to fill certain vacancies.

You will learn to process transactions whilst achieving compliance with the legal aspects of financial statements. You'll cover the core accounting skills expected from both the Level 2 course and Level 3 course. The joint package ensures that you are conversant with both the skills of basic double-entry bookkeeping and advanced bookkeeping.

As part of your Level 3 Diploma in Accounting course you will learn a broad range of skills. How to complete VAT returns, prepare final accounts for sole traders, partnerships and small limited companies. You will learn to produce trial balances at both levels. You will learn about books of prime entry. You will learn how to check the accuracy of entries into the double-entry system. Any errors found will be corrected to produce a final, extended trial balance.

As part of the daily accounts office procedures you will learn many other skills expected of a professional business accounting student. Bank statement reconciliations, understanding the purpose of associated documents in the audit trail. You will learn personal skills and how to communicate effectively. You'll grow your general understanding of the legal system including some contract law. You'll understand the treatment of a business entity and how that varies from an accounting and legal aspect.

Your AAT Assessment Schedule

There are 4 modules to complete at Level 2.  At the end of each module you will sit an exam as follows:

• Introduction to Bookkeeping - 1 exam  (90 mins)

• Principles of Bookkeeping Controls - 1 exam (90 mins)

• Principles of Costing - 1 exam (90 mins)

• The Business Environment Synoptic Assessment- 1 exam (120 mins)

  
  There are 4 modules to complete at Level 3.  At the end of each module you will sit an exam as follows:

• Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements - 1 exam

• Management Accounting Techniques - 1 exam

• Tax Processes for Businesses - 1 exam

• Business Awareness - 1 exam

We always recommend that you book your exam as you start revision - It is important when you get to this stage in your learning that you have a defined goal to work to. Revision takes 3 weeks, that is the ideal timeframe to achieve optimum exam readiness.

You sit your exam close to your location. You sit exams when you are ready to sit and not at set times during the year.

If you want to climb the accountancy ladder, the level 2 is the perfect AAT qualification of choice for your AAT career.

We enrol students from 14 years upwards. We are the only college who enrol students under the age of 16. There is also no upper limit on age.

There are no entry requirements to study the AAT finance qualifications although it is expected that you have good basic maths skills and a good command of the English language.

To study AAT distance learning you will require access to a PC or Laptop. The learning platforms are both Windows and Mac compatible.

We supply a full set of hardcopy Kaplan study textbooks and exam kit books to accompany our online live/recorded lectures and extensive online materials.

Employment options

Accountancy is a career for life - in the UK and worldwide. International accountancy standards underpin the AAT qualifications making them transferrable worldwide.

Employers like to employee AAT students and AAT Accountants because of the workplace ready skills that the qualification delivers. You want to be noticed and stand out from the crowd, study the AAT.

Below are average salaries for Level 2 achievers: 

• Accounts and clerical assistant work in finance administration- £23,000 

• Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk - £23,000 

• Accounts Payable Clerk - £24,000

For Level 3 achievers

• Accountancy and Finance roles - £27,000

• Team Leader/Supervisor - £28,000

• Middle Manager - £36,000

• 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. If I study the AAT Level 2 qualification and Level 3 Accounting qualification will I still pass the AAT Bookkeeping qualification?

A. The AAT Bookkeeping modules are taken from the Accounting courses at Levels 2 and Level 3. As you study those accounting qualifications you will automatically achieve the bookkeeping qualification. You can for a small fee request the Bookkeeping Certification from AAT.

Q. Does the AAT course prepare me to progress to chartered accountancy

A. Yes.  Most employers these day require employees to study the AAT before chartered accountancy. This is for several reasons. The in depth knowledge and skills acquired in your AAT studies will double your chances of passing chartered if you choose to progress on to that route of study.

Q.  Do I have to study chartered accountancy after the AAT?

A. No. Most AAT students do not go on to study chartered accountancy afterwards. This is not because of capabilities, it is because most qualified AAT Accountants already have very good well paid jobs and do not to study chartered.