AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting
The AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy and finance.
This qualification is a progression route for students who have achieved either the AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting or the AAT Foundation Diploma in Accounting and Business. It is also suitable for those who are at a more intermediate level and looking to develop their skills in accounting, or for those who have already started working in finance and who have a need and desire to attain formal recognition of their skills.
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 master financial processes including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping and final accounts. They will also understand business issues regarding value added tax (VAT), issues in business, management accounting costing techniques and ethical practices for accountants. This qualification further delivers software skills through spreadsheet training for accounting.
Are there any prerequisites for this qualification?
AAT does not set any prerequisites for the study of the AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting. However, for the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and maths.
If students do have any other relevant school or college qualifications, a degree or some accounting experience, these may in certain circumstances entitle students to claim exemptions.
What does the qualification cover?
The AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting covers a range of complex accounting tasks, including maintaining cost accounting records and the preparation of reports and returns. It comprises six mandatory units:
- Advanced Bookkeeping
- Final Accounts Preparation
- Management Accounting: Costing
- Indirect Tax
- Ethics for Accountants
- Spreadsheets for Accounting.
All of the units within this qualification are mandatory. Four units are assessed individually in end of-unit assessments. This qualification also includes a synoptic assessment that students sit towards the end of the qualification, which draws on and assesses knowledge and understanding from across the qualification.
Assessments
Students must successfully complete four unit assessments and one synoptic assessment to achieve this qualification.
The assessments in this qualification are computer based with a time restriction. Students will be presented with a range of question types and formats in the assessment. These may include multiple-choice questions, numeric gap-fill questions, or question tools that replicate workplace activities, such as making entries in a journal. In some assessments, questions will require a written answer, and this is particularly so in the synoptic assessments.
How long is the course?
It will usually take around one year to complete this qualification, but this will depend on the study method and course timetable. It may be possible to complete this qualification in as little as six months.
The estimated learning hours for this course is 390 hours. This includes lectures, tutorials or supervised study. Although this is not compulsory for all learners; some students may need more or less support to achieve this qualification.
It is recommended that the total qualification time is 520 hours. This includes learning hours, independent study and unsupervised learning.
What can this qualification lead to?
This qualification is part of a suite of AAT qualifications available to students that offer both horizontal and vertical progression channels. Completion of this qualification provides students with an opportunity to be registered as a qualified bookkeeper, or progress on to Professional level and become a full member of AAT upon achieving the associated membership criteria.
The AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting also provides the foundation skills required to support the establishment of a healthy business. Skills developed through this qualification can lead to employment as (but not limited to):
- An accounts assistant
- An accounts payable and expenses supervisor
- An accounts payable clerk
- An assistant accountant
- An audit trainee
- A credit controller
- A finance assistant
- A finance officer
- A payroll supervisor
- A professional bookkeeper
- A senior bookkeeper
- A tax assistant.
The AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting is a potential stepping-stone for students to take into employment, further education or training. This qualification will also suit those looking to gain the skills required to move into a career in finance as it provides a clear pathway towards a successful career in accounting and finance.
On completion, students can progress to take the AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting (Level 4).
Sepera College has a variety of study methods available, giving you the flexibility to choose what best suits you and your lifestyle:
Online – Self-study
If you are a self-starter and like to study at your own pace, our online self-study structure is perfect for you. As an online student, you will have full unlimited access to tutorials, lectures and video content on the Sepera Student Panel.
This option gives you the flexibility to pick and choose when to study, perfect for those always on the go!
Online webinar
If you want to study remotely but still want to participate in classes, then our webinar course is the ideal solution for you. Our distance learning programme allows you to acquire all relevant knowledge from specialists at the comfort of your own home.
After purchasing the course, you will receive a link to access weekly classes where you will be able to interact with the tutor as if you were sitting in the classroom with them.
Webinar lessons will commence at an allocated time each week. The session begins with a lecture delivered by a tutor and moves on to discussions and group activities, ensuring you understand the material. Each webinar is recorded and posted to the Sepera Student Panel for you to access and review at a later date – perfect
Classroom Based Courses
Traditional classroom courses held in our Training Centre in London on weekends. Students will be provided with e-books and will have unlimited access to the Sepera Student Panel to view tutorials, lectures and video content. Students can also participate in weekly webinars.
COVID-19
Due to the unforeseen pandemic and government guidelines, we are unable to currently provide this service. If you are interested in online private one-to-one tuition, please contact a member of our team who will be happy to arrange this.
Module Assessments
Alternatively, you can simply pay for the cost of sitting a module examination with us:
