Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that students are well prepared to progress into a career in business, finance or professional accountancy, or into further education.

Students will learn and develop skills needed for financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping and preparing financial statements.

They will also understand the business environment, technology used in finance and accounting, business issues regarding payroll and value added tax (VAT) (which may be known by another name in other countries), issues in business, management accounting techniques, ethical principles and sustainability considerations for accountants.

Students will develop an understanding of business and its structure and purpose, as well as appreciating the wider business environment. Along with developing skills to support complex financial processes, such as final accounts, reports and returns, use of technology to provide management accounting information, and completion of VAT returns.

Students will be expected to take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures, as well as exercising autonomy and judgement within limited parameters, such as awareness of different perspectives or approaches within an area of study or work. Students will need to use a variety of data and information about a business to visualise and communicate key information needed for business decision making. Key themes have also been introduced throughout the suite of accounting qualifications, including technology, ethics, sustainability and communication.

The four units are assessed individually through computer based end-of-unit assessments.

This qualification comprises four mandatory units

• Business Awareness
• Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
• Management Accounting Techniques
• Tax Processes for Businesses