If you have an interest in learning accountancy or bookkeeping, chances are you’ll have stumbled across AAT qualifications.
These bookkeeping and accounting courses are provided by The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT). A professional body for accounting technicians who aim to provide practical, real-world qualifications that give you essential industry skills.
They have detailed courses for current and aspiring finance and accounting professionals. Plus, short essential skills courses for anyone who’s looking to better understand financial processes. So, no matter your need, they can help.
There are many providers of accounting and bookkeeping courses and qualifications to choose from. If you’re still on the fence, we’ve collated some of the main reasons to study an AAT course.
From a fast-track to chartered accountancy, professional status, associated training providers and more. You’ll be assured of your decision to choose the AAT to reach your goals.
Industry Leading Qualifications
The AAT courses provide internationally recognised qualifications that you can take with you all over the world. Focusing on industry essential skills that you can put to use the moment you qualify.
They have over 35 years of experience and over 80,000 individuals choose to train with them every year. The association itself is the UK’s leading qualification and membership body for vocational accountants. Awarding 80% of all vocational accounting and finance qualifications in the UK.
They only work with training providers who guide students throughout their training and towards a successful career. AAT qualifications also stand as part of the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF), which also attests to their exceptional standards.
As a result, they receive sponsorship from professional accounting bodies CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA and ICAS. A commitment that also demonstrates their credibility and quality.
Gain essential Skills
Every business needs properly managed finances to operate effectively, profitably and to help them stay compliant with the law. That makes the skills of trained accounting and finance professionals highly desirable within every industry.
The AAT design their courses so they are in line with industry requirements. Teaching you everything you’ll need to succeed upon gaining employment. You’ll be able to manage finances, budgets and cash flow effectively. Providing company leaders with accurate data that allows them to make informed business decisions.
Aside from your technical abilities, you’ll also develop a host of transferrable skills such as:
- The ability to argue and negotiate
- A thorough understanding of business organisations and operations
- Numerical and quantitative skills
- Effective problem-solving and the ability to analyse data
- Both oral and written communication skills
- An understanding of global business issues
- How to be an effective entrepreneur
All of which are highly desirable to employers or useful for your own business venture. With AAT on your CV, you can show employers your level of excellence and readiness for work.
Achieve Professional Status
AAT professional membership provides you with industry recognition and the ability to use designatory letters after your name. They prove you’ve reached a certain level of skill, experience and knowledge. Which can help you secure senior roles and earn a higher wage. Depending on the type of finance professional you wish to be, there are different options available:
AAT bookkeeping member (AATQB)
If you aspire to become a bookkeeper, then AAT bookkeeping membership is a great milestone to achieve. It marks you as an approved qualified bookkeeper who can use the letters AATQB after your name. Enabling you to apply to run your own practice as an AAT Licensed Bookkeeper.
Alongside these benefits, you’ll be able to:
- Expand your professional network by joining a nationwide community of peers
- Continue to learn and build your technical skills with access to resources designed to support your professional development
- Use career tools to assist you in securing your next role or promotion
You can apply for AAT associate bookkeeping membership and achieve professional AAT Bookkeeper status (AATQB) after completing the Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping.
AAT full member (MAAT)
Aspiring accountants can work their way toward AAT full membership, which evidences your experience in important aspects of finance. At this stage in your journey, you’re classed as a qualified accountant who can use letters MAAT after your name.
As a full member, you can also apply to run your own practice as an AAT Licensed Accountant or Bookkeeper. After five years, you’re able to become an AAT fellow member, with even more benefits and earning potential.
As an AAT full member, you can:
- Gain recognition, credibility and a competitive edge in the industry when progressing through your career
- Access a library of support and resources helping your success in the finance industry, such as the award-winning AT magazine
- Receive technical and ethical support through online e-learning, webinars and more
- Get discounted membership during your studies to chartered status
You can apply for AAT full membership after completing the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting.
Fast track to chartered accountancy
Any aspiring accountant who holds AAT full membership (MAAT) is put on a fast-track route to chartered status. Allowing non-graduates to achieve chartered status faster than would be possible through university education.
The AAT Accounting Qualifications are a highly regarded platform to progress to chartered accountancy. Giving you recognition of prior learning and exemption from professional exams with all the UK chartered and certified accountancy bodies.
They are open to everyone
It doesn’t matter if you’re a school leaver, aspiring finance professional, or assessing your options while on maternity leave. The AAT courses are open to all and provide an excellent opportunity to upskill and requalify.
You could enhance your finance skills for your current role and take on more responsibility. Or go the whole way and qualify if you’re looking for a new challenge or a more rewarding career. There are entry level qualifications available for those just starting out. As well as a range of progressively advanced professional courses for those wanting to develop their careers. AAT accounting apprenticeships are also available.
Whatever your aim, AAT courses can equip you with the skills and confidence to achieve your goals. After studying with AAT, you have many options laid out in front of you. Whether you want to start work immediately, become a chartered accountant, set up your own practice or go to university.
What’s more, all the AAT qualifications are available to study online from home. So, no matter what your current commitments are, you can study around them to take the next step.
Start by reviewing the entry-level bookkeeping and accounting courses in our AAT Faculty. learndirect is one of the UK’s leading distance learning providers, offering many of the vocational courses provided by the AAT.
Find out more about gaining accounting and bookkeeping skills with us by clicking the link below.
