AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting

The purpose of the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting is to enhance the skills developed from the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting qualification, enabling students to maximise opportunities in their current or new employment. By studying for this qualification students will acquire lifelong professional accountancy and finance skills.

This qualification comprises three mandatory units and two optional units from a choice of five, which cover complex accounting and finance tasks, and has a total of 390 guided learning hours.

This AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) professional level course is a higher-level accounting qualification. If you successfully complete this qualification and fulfil the AAT’s work experience requirements, you can apply for AAT full membership and achieve professional AAT Accountant status.

This flexible course is delivered in partnership with Mindful Education, and combines online learning with face-to-face lessons in the classroom.

In this qualification you will cover higher accounting tasks including drafting financial statements, managing budgets and evaluating financial performance, as well as a range of optional specialist units.

On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded an AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting. This internationally recognised AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification enables those working in accounting or those who looking to pursue accountancy as a career to gain knowledge, practical experience and the all-important certification often sought by employers.

The Level 4 course covers a range of key areas, including:

• Applied Management Accounting
• Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements
• Internal Accounting Systems and Controls

These core units of study are assessed at unit level. In addition a synoptic assessment will ask students to apply knowledge and skills gained across the qualification in an integrated way, within a workplace context.

Optional units – select two of the following (subject to availability):

• Business Tax
• Personal Tax
• Audit and Assurance
• Cash and Financial Management
• Credit and Debt Management

You will also develop business communications and lifelong learning skills, applying what you learn on the course to the wider industry context.

Online, you will study award-winning video lessons, which are available on demand, and can be viewed from your phone, tablet or computer – meaning you can choose how, when and where you want to study. Lessons last for around 45 minutes and are accompanied by animations and motion graphics to bring concepts to life. Practice questions, downloadable lesson materials and interactive case studies help to enhance the learning experience further and learners should expect to spend around 5-6 hours studying independently online each week.

On campus, you benefit from regular classes with a Reed Business School tutor – without having to commit to attending multiple evenings each week. Your tutor will review what you have learnt during your online lessons and will be on hand to provide guidance on progress and assessment. Regular discussion with classmates will help to reinforce key points while also providing the additional support and motivation that comes from being part of a group.

The accountancy skills developed by studying this qualification will enable you to seek employment with confidence, and/or to progress to study chartered accountancy.

You must have a sound knowledge of accounting principles to undertake the AAT Level 4 programme. Achievement of an AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting is essential.

The Diploma can lead to the achievement of professional AAT (MAAT) status. Employment opportunities include: Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor, Assistant Financial Accountant, Commercial Analyst, Cost Accountant, Indirect Tax Manager, Payments and Billing Manager, Payroll Manager, Senior Finance Officer, Senior Insolvency Administrator, Tax Supervisor, VAT Accountant.