Accounting - Professional Diploma Accounting

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a well-respected and recognised qualification within the accounting profession. It is recognised as a major qualification for Technician level accounting staff. Students who gain their Advanced Diploma and their Professional Diploma and who have relevant accounting work experience can apply for membership of the AAT and will normally get exam exemptions from the Chartered Accounting Bodies.

The Professional Diploma covers financial team leader skills, including financial statements for limited companies, complex management accounts tasks, management skills and specialist learning areas.

Three mandatory units:

• Drafting and Interpretation Financial Statements

• Internal Accounting systems and controls

• Applied Management Accounting

Plus, two specialist units:

• Personal Tax

• Cash Financial Management

There are 5 assessments in total which are set by the AAT and taken online at the college. The AAT take up to 6 weeks to mark all the assessments at this level.

The synoptic assessment (which covers topics from all the mandatory units) take place on dates specified by the AAT. Due to the limited number of available dates in an academic year it may not be possible for students to re-sit the synoptic assessment in the same academic year.

You will need to have successfully completed the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting, have GCSE maths and English grades A*-C or 9-4 and have a job role in Finance or Accounting.

Completion of the AAT Advanced and Professional Diplomas will provide exemptions from some Chartered Accountancy exams should students wish to study to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant. Students intending to pursue these studies should contact the relevant Chartered Accountancy bodies to discuss the specific exemptions available.

Various job roles are available for people holding the Level 4 Diploma: Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor, Assistant Financial Accountant, Commercial Analyst, Cost Accountant, Fixed Asset Accountant, Indirect Tax Manager, Payments and Billing Manager, Payroll Manager, Senior Bookkeeper, Senior Finance Officer, Senior Fund Accountant, Senior Insolvency Administrator, Tax Supervisor, VAT Accountant.