Course Description

The AAT Level 1 Certificate in Accounting is designed to help students gain a complete understanding of multiple disciplines within accounting and bookkeeping, encompassing three AAT qualifications into one course. The qualification has been introduced to help target the issues of the lack of literacy, numeracy and employability skills and can be incorporated into a 16-19 study programme or 16-24 traineeship programme. The aim of the qualification is to boost the skills of work-ready students.

Is it for me?

If you have a good grasp of English and maths and want to explore the opportunity of studying multiple accounting and bookkeeping techniques then the Level 1 Certificate in Accounting is the ideal place to start. The course is designed to provide students with a foundation to kick-start their career in accountancy or bookkeeping by providing a wide knowledge base. This allows students to have multiple options for a potential career path. If you are thinking of taking the Level 1 Award in Accounting, Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping or the Level 1 Award in Computerised Accounting, they are all delivered in this comprehensive programme.

How is it assessed?

There are five elements to this qualification as follows:

• AAT Access
• Bookkeeping and Accounts
• Spreadsheet software
• Computerised Payroll Processing & Administration
• Computerised Accounts

There is a separate exam for each of the 5 elements listed above in order to achieve this qualification.

Practice assessments are provided for elements 1 & 2, element 3 has a mock examination which is self-assessed by the student upon completion and elements 4 & 5 include practical exercises to help you to become familiar with using Sage 50 Payroll and Sage 50 Accounts. Once each element of the course is complete, the student can use the AAT practice exams which are available on the AAT website.

How can I use it?

This course provides many different options for further study, as well as leading to employment in roles such as accounts administrator, accounts assistant, account payable clerk, purchase/sales ledger clerk. Trainee accounting technician, trainee finance assistant.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

• Basic organisations and how the finance professional contributes
• The need to apply appreciate ethical behaviour within an accounting environment
• Understanding of legal frameworks
• Applying basic accounting terminology to business documents and procedures
• The principles of single entry accounting systems
• Coding and batch control
• Receipt and payment processing using documents
• Recognising documents used within the accountancy function and other business areas
• Understanding the importance of good quality communications
• Identifying different types of business documents and understand the importance of choosing the right style for the type of communication
• Build and develop skills across a range of basic mathematical functions using financial data
• Basic mathematical concepts and applications to a range of numerical skills required by financial professionals.
• Feel confident that you’re using official learning material from Sage, the leading bookkeeping software provider in the UK.
• Become proficient in Sage 50 using the software included (time limited)
• Learn how to create accounts including adding new accounts to sales, purchase and nominal ledgers.
• Practise processing accounting information using the Sage software, including processing sales and purchase ledger information, entering initial capital, processing information involving transactions of different tax rates and in respect of cash and cheque payments and receipts.
• Come to understand how to use batch control sheets, including calculating and reconciling batch totals.
• Confidently produce reports including supplier activity, customer activity, supplier details, customer details and nominal ledger account reports, plus learn how to produce a trial balance.
• Become a proficient spreadsheet user, including entering, editing and organising data as well as using appropriate formulas and tools to summarise and display the data and to present the information effectively.

Advantages of the Course

• Study wherever you like at a time that suits with you with 24/7 access for 12 months.
• Tutor support is included for ease of learning.
• Includes official Sage course material
• Sage 50 Accounts and Sage Payroll software included (180 days access)
• Achieve 2 official Sage Certificates of Competency for Sage 50 Accounts and Sage Payroll in addition to your AAT qualification.
• Technical support available 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday through the entirety of your course access.
• Study the industry recognised AAT syllabus and use it to give you the best possible start to your accounting career.
• 97% of full members would recommend the award-winning AAT.
• Self-paced study means you’re in total control of how quickly you progress.
• All course content is designed in collaboration with employers, drawing on the real-world skills they require from employees.