AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting - Level 3

The AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting is an ideal course option if you're hoping to train for a job in finance, bookkeeping or accountancy. If you've got some prior experience in accountancy, or a related field, then you will probably be able to enrol directly on to this course, but even if you haven't you'll still be able to study our other, lower level AAT course: the AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting.

The Level 3 course provides effective training in real-world accountancy skills, and delivers the specialist, industry-s[specific knowledge you need to get a job or a promotion in the accountancy and financial sector.

Course Content

This course contains six main units assessed by a combination of unit and synoptic assessments. For more information on the different kinds of assessment, see the ‘method of assessment’ section below.

Advanced Bookkeeping

On completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Apply the principles of advanced double entry bookkeeping
• Implement procedures for the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets
• Prepare and record depreciation calculations
• Record period end adjustments
• Produce and extend the trial balance

Final Accounts Preparation

On completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Distinguish between the financial recording and reporting requirements of different types of organisation
• Explain the need for final accounts and the accounting and ethical principles underlying their preparation
• Prepare accounting records from incomplete information
• Produce accounts for sole traders
• Produce accounts for partnerships
• Recognise the key differences between preparing accounts for a limited company and a sole trader

Management Accounting: Costing

On completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and use of management accounting within an organisation
• Apply techniques required for dealing with costs
• Apportion costs according to organisational requirements
• Analyse and review deviations from budget and report these to management
• Apply management accounting techniques to support decision making

Indirect Tax

On completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Understand and apply VAT legislation requirements
• Accurately complete VAT returns and submit them in a timely manner
• Understand the implications for the business of errors, omissions and late filing and payment
• Report VAT-related information within the organisation in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirement

Ethics for Accountants (Synoptic Assessment Only)

On completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Understand the need to act ethically
• Understand the relevance to the accountant’s work of the ethical code for professional accountants
• Recognise how to act ethically in an accounting role
• Identify action to take in relation to unethical behaviour or illegal acts

Spreadsheet for Accounting (Synoptic Assessment Only)

On completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Design and structure appropriate spreadsheets to meet customer needs
• Use spreadsheet software to record, format and organise data
• Use relevant tools to manipulate and analyse data
• Use software tools to verify accuracy and protect data
• Use tools and techniques to prepare and report accounting information

Qualification Information

On successful completion of the course students will receive the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting (in Scotland this is a Level 6 qualification).

The AAT Accounting Qualification is accredited under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). You can read more about the RQF at the Ofqual website.

Qualification Number: 601/6554/6

Credits: 53

About AAT

As the UK's leading qualification and membership body for accounting staff, AAT works across the globe with around 125,000 members in more than 90 countries. Their members are represented at every level of the finance and accounting world, including students, people already working in accountancy and self-employed business owners.

AAT members are ambitious, focused accounting professionals, many occupying senior, well rewarded positions with thousands of employers - from blue-chip corporate giants to public sector institutions.

The AAT Accounting Qualification is universally respected and internationally recognised. Organisations such as Sainsbury's, P&G, Morgan Stanley, the Ministry of Defence and many more continue to hire AAT qualified members for their knowledge, skills, diligence and enthusiasm, because AAT represents the highest standards of professionalism.

In short, an AAT qualification is a route to some of the most in-demand skills in the world, and provides you with a professional status you can be proud of.

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) award around 90% of all vocational qualifications in accounting, and are sponsored by the professional accounting bodies CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA and ICAS.

Method of Study

We provide students with a mixture of study materials, including AAT's online study platform, as well as a suite of resources from Osborne Books. On the AAT platform you'll have access to mock exam papers, practice quizzes, e-presentations and more. Osborne Books offer paper-based textbooks AND e-books, as well as a range of additional online resources, including access to interactive revision crosswords to help you prepare for your exams.

Method of Assessment

This qualification is assessed across six exams: four ‘unit’ exams and one ‘synoptic assessment’. The unit exams will relate only to the content covered in an individual unit. These exams will be available in most centres all year round. The synoptic assessment will cover topics from a range of units. These assessments will only be available on a limited set of dates.

Grades are calculated are not awarded for individual assessments, but are determined for the overall qualification as below:

Distinction: 90-100%

Merit: 80-89%

Pass: 70-79%

The costing of exams may differ depending on the centre you choose to sit your exams with, but typically cost between £40 and £50. A rough estimate of the total cost assessment would be £225.

Additional costs are as follows:

AAT Student Membership Admission: £41

Annual Student Membership Charge: £88

These fees are paid directly to AAT, and are not built into the course price.

Benefits of AAT Membership

Your MyAAT account gives you interactive services and resources to help you get the most out of AAT.

• Sample assessments and unit overviews to help you study
• E-learning modules and Green Light tests to check your understanding as you go along
• Career tips direct from employers and an online CV builder to put you on the track to career progression
• Access to your assessment results, statements of achievement and information on where AAT can take you.

Course Length Information

Students will have access to tutor support for up to 24 months. The Total Qualification Time, estimated by AAT, is 520 hours.

Tutor Support

Technical support on using the AAT system and any related admin will be provided by a dedicated advisor. You will also have email contact with a qualified accountant to give you advice and guidance on the course content itself.

We assume that students enrolling on this course already have access to Sage, or other accountancy software, so that they are able to complete the computerised aspects of this course.

Possible future job roles:

• an accounts assistant
• an accounts payable and expenses supervisor
• an accounts payable clerk
• an assistant accountant
• an audit trainee
• a corporate recovery analyst
• a credit controller
• a finance assistant
• a finance officer
• an indirect tax manager
• an insolvency executive
• a payroll supervisor
• a professional bookkeeper
• a senior bookkeeper
• a tax assistant.

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