Level 4 AAT Diploma in Professional Accounting

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue or progress their career in accountancy or finance.

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

• drafting financial statements for limited companies
• having the knowledge and skills to use complex management accounting techniques
• the ability to analyse accounting systems and their associated controls
• having knowledge and skills in specialist accountancy and finance subjects.

Once qualified, and having met AAT’s criteria, students can apply for full AAT membership, which will allow them to use the designatory letters MAAT after their name.

However, the primary and most important outcome of the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting is that it can lead to a wide variety of well-paid accountancy and finance jobs, some of which include: • Professional Accounting Technician • Assistant Auditor • Assistant Management Accountant • Commercial Analyst • Payroll Manager • Senior Bookkeeper • Senior Financial Officer • Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor • Assistant Financial Accountant • Cost Accountant • Fixed Asset Accountant • Indirect Tax Manager • Payments and Billing Manager • Senior Fund Accountant • Senior Insolvency Administrator • Tax Supervisor • VAT Accountant.

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting qualification will suit those who:

• have completed the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and who would like to continue to build their accounting skills
• are already working in finance and would like a formal recognition of their skills
• would like to go on to become an AAT full member and/or study for chartered accountant status
• would like to start their own business through the AAT licensed members scheme.

You will need GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English or the willingness to work towards them.

International Students: You will need to have reached a certain standard of spoken English. Please see our ESOL course and refer to the Course Specification for the IELTS requirement for your individual course.

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting covers high-level accounting and finance topics and tasks. Students will look at and become comfortable with a wide range of financial management skills and applications, and will gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategies and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports.

Students choose to take Business Tax or Credit and Debt Management.

All assessments in the qualification will be computer-based assessments (CBAs). CBAs are an up-to-date method of assessment that directly reflect the practical tasks that you currently perform or will be performing in the workplace. 

You will be graded as an overall Pass, Merit or Distinction at the end of your qualification. The pass mark for each exam is 70%.

Please refer to the college website for up to date tuition fees. An indication of course costs for you to consider are:

• Tuition Fees £2,090
• Exam Fees £315
• Books £114
• AAT Membership Fees £240

The course is eligible for a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan. For fee enquiries please contact course advice on 01743 342333.

There is nothing to stop you progressing on to even higher accounting qualifications such as ACCA (Associations of Chartered Certified Accountant), ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales) or CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). 

To ensure success in your course, you will be expected to commit to significant home study as well as attendance to college. We generally recommend a minimum of 6 hours per week.

Previous convictions: Please note - When registering with AAT, you will need to declare whether you have committed any criminal convictions or had civil convictions against you. All declarations will be followed up by AAT. Serious convictions may result in you being barred from becoming an AAT registered student.

All learners will be interviewed prior to enrolment to give an opportunity to ask questions and to ensure suitability.