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 a GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English.

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.

Units include:

Applied Management Accounting

This unit allows students to understand how the budgetary process is undertaken. Students will be able to construct budgets and then identify and report on both areas of success and on areas that should be of concern to key stakeholders. Students will also gain the skills required to critically evaluate organisational performance.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 30%.

Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements

This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge for drafting the financial statements of single limited companies and consolidated financial statements for groups of companies. It ensures that students will have a proficient level of knowledge and understanding of international accounting standards, which will then be applied when drafting the financial statements. Students will also have a sound appreciation of the regulatory and conceptual frameworks that underpin the preparation of limited company financial statements.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 20%.

Internal Accounting Systems and Controls

This unit teaches students to consider the role and responsibilities of the accounting function, including the needs of key stakeholders who use financial reports to make decisions. Students will review accounting systems to identify weaknesses and will make recommendations to mitigate identified weaknesses in future operations. Students will apply several analytical methods to evaluate the implications of any changes to operating procedures.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 20%.

Business Tax (option)

This unit introduces students to UK taxation relevant to businesses. Students will understand how to compute business taxes for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. They will also be able to identify tax planning opportunities while understanding the importance of maintaining ethical standards.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 15%.

Personal Tax (option)

This unit provides students with the fundamental knowledge of the three most common taxes that affect taxpayers in the UK: Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax. With this knowledge, students will be equipped to not only prepare the computational aspects of taxes, where appropriate, but also appreciate how taxpayers can legally minimise their overall taxation liability.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 15%.

All assessments in the qualification will be computer-based assessments (CBAs). CBAs are an up-to-date method of assessment that directly reflects 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%.

There is nothing to stop you from progressing on to even higher accounting qualifications such as ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), 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 at 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.

Tutor Contact Details - Donna Lester – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

You can apply online by clicking the apply button above, where you will need to create an account as a new user. If after reading this factsheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Admissions Team on 01743 653333 or email parttimecourses@scg.ac.uk