New Year, new course(s)…
OK, so we can’t help you stick to all of your resolutions (sorry, gym membership), but we can help you learn in 2020. And because we know that self-improvement isn’t just about brand new skills (it’s also about developing your current ones) we’ve selected a few of the best courses in HR, accounting, and bookkeeping, with something for learners of all levels. You’re welcome.
Here are three of the top sectors you can get qualified in this January:
Human Resources
Was all you wanted for Christmas a globally recognised qualification in HR?
We knew it. And it’s not too late.
CIPD provides a range of qualifications that are considered the industry standard for anyone working in HR. And with courses available at every level, there’ll be one to suit you – whether you’re looking to start a career in HR, or you want to carry out further study and progress within the industry.
Offering a strong introduction to all areas of HR, the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Diploma is a great choice for anyone with little or no prior experience in the field. With 8 core units, this course will teach you everything from how to resource talent and record and analyse HR information, to best performance, reward, and employee relation management practices.
Already know the basics? You can level up. A Level 5 course (such as the CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate or the CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma) will provide more strategic insights into the world of HR, allowing you to develop your professional practice, improve performance, understand business issues and employment law in the context of HR, and much more.
The CIPD Level 7 qualification is also available for those looking to gain Chartered status.
What do I need? This will depend on the level you study. Level 3 qualifications require you to be Level 2 (e.g. GCSE) qualified. To study at Level 5, you’ll need to have an existing Level 3 (or above) CIPD qualification, along with some HR work experience.
How long will it last? 11-14 months for part-time study – depending on the level you’re at.
Perfect for: People who want to boost their HR career.
Accounting
AAT: it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Whether you’re new to the industry or you’re already working in accounting – an AAT qualification could be the perfect way to progress your career, earn more money, and improve your prospects.
Not only is it the UK’s leading membership body for accounting staff, it also has over 150,000 members in over 90 countries all over the world. Their qualifications are universally respected, internationally recognised, and valued by employers on a global scale. All the more reason for you to become one of them.
Aside from AAT Access (Level 1), there are three main levels of AAT. Each one will teach you essential accounting skills in correlation to your experience level and where you’re at in your career.
The AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate covers essential accounting principles, making it ideal for beginners who want to lay the groundwork for their career. Once you’ve got that under your belt, the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma builds on your accounting knowledge, introduces you to more specialist areas of accounting – and allows you to apply what you’ve learnt practically.
But if you’re already an expert – the AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma is for you. Teaching more advanced skills, this course will prepare you to take on roles in management, and is the fourth and final step to becoming an AAT affiliate member.
It’s as easy as…two, three, four? Nailed it.
What do I need? Just an interest and a willingness to learn for those studying at Level 2, with Level 3 and 4 requiring students to have gained the previous qualifications before carrying out further study.
How long will it last? As little as 10 months for AAT Level 2, just over a year for AAT Level 3, and 19 months for AAT Level 4. Each studied part-time.
Perfect for: People with a head for numbers.
Bookkeeping
AAT isn’t just good for accountants. It could also help you to develop your bookkeeping skills, offering you an accredited route into the field.
Once qualified, you’ll be able to achieve AAT professional Bookkeeper status, which is guaranteed to help you stand out to employers and ultimately go further in your career. And with AVADO offering courses in Level 2, 3, and 4, which can all be studied entirely online, your road to success isn’t far away – no matter how experienced you are.
Ready to take the first step? The AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping is perfect for those with little or no experience. It’ll allow you to master the basics and build a foundation of knowledge within the field, covering topics such as bookkeeping transactions and bookkeeping control.
Offering a seamless path from Level 2, the AAT Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping is the obvious next step. Aimed at experienced Bookkeepers, this course will teach you more advanced skills – from double entry bookkeeping to intermediate spreadsheets and software use.
Each AVADO qualification also includes a FREE Xero cloud-based accounting certification, along with one-to-one tutorial support, a personalised study plan, and more. What’s not to like?
What do I need? Although there are no specific entry requirements for each course, it’s advised that you have the previous level of AAT before moving onto the next one (i.e. Level 2 before Level 3).
How long will it last? 5 months for Level 2 and 7 months for Level 2. If you take the Level 2 & 3 Certificate combined course, you could be qualified in just 11 months.
Perfect for: People who use spreadsheets for everything.
Not sure which course is right for you? View all available courses.
