Professional Qualifications

Accounting (AAT) Professional Qualifications

If you like problem-solving and are good at managing money, a career in accounting could provide inspiration for your analytical mind. Whatever your starting point, you can work up to a Level 4 AAT qualification by combining your studies with work.  

Jobs in accounting start at assistant and technician level and with further study, you could eventually qualify as a chartered accountant. AAT qualifications are recognised by the industry and will provide a firm foundation for your future progression. 

You might be working in the finance department of a business, within an accountancy practice, or as part of HMRC. As you progress through the levels, you will start with bookkeeping, sales and purchase ledger duties and costing tasks, and move on to the use of software, tools and data, to IT systems and processes, planning and forecasting and providing financial reports.    

Did you know? 

Financial Accountants provide records for external use by shareholders and for HMRC. 

Management Accountants work with internal customers to help them focus on efficiency and cost-saving and improving profitability.  

The accountancy profession contributes £59bn the UK economy and there are over 300,000 members of its professional bodies.  

CASE STUDIES

Name: Laura Flude

Course: Level 2 AAT Accounting

Image caption: NWSLC tutor, Laura Flude As its National Apprenticeship Week, we asked our apprentice in AAT Accounting, Laura Flude, to write about her experiences as an apprentice and her work at UK Flooring Direct. ‘Currently I mix my working week by spending most of my time in my warehouse administrator role and then assisting the accounts team when I have a few hours spare....Read more

Name: Evelyn Armstrong

Course: Level 2 and 3 AAT Accounting

Image caption: NWSLC student Evelyn Armstrong Evelyn Armstrong has loved Accounting since high school but was unable to pursue her dream career within accountancy in South Africa. She enrolled in a Level 2 AAT Accounting online course in June 2021 at NWSLC and passed her exam in September 2021 with a distinction. She is now enrolled on the online Level 3 AAT Accounting course using...Read more