1. Course structures
We offer three different short qualifications.
Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping (Level 2, FCIB), comprises of two units (also known as subjects).
Foundation Award in Accounting Software (Level 2, AIAS) is made up of one unit (subject).
Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping (Level 3, ACIB) comprises of three units (subjects).
If you take and pass all three qualifications, you can become a Professional AAT Bookkeeper (AATQB).
Entry requirements
You don’t need any previous accounting experience or qualifications to start studying the AAT short qualification, just a willingness to learn. It’s ideal if you’re a school or university leaver, or thinking of changing career, and want to try AAT without making a commitment to the full qualification.
Course structures
Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping (Level 2)
£354.20 - £754.20 (inc. VAT)
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Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping (CIB) students must study Bookkeeping Transactions first, before starting Bookkeeping Controls.
Included
Bookkeeping transactions (BTRN)
You’ll learn how to understand and demonstrate basic financial transactions within a bookkeeping system, across supplier, customer and business accounts.
- Number of lessons:
- Classroom: 4 days/8 evenings
- Live Online: 8 sessions
- OnDemand/Distance Learning: study at your own pace
Subject assessment: computer-based exam
Included
Bookkeeping controls (BKCL)
You’ll identify appropriate payment methods and the effect they have on the bank balance. You’ll learn about control accounts, reconciliation and the purpose of using the journal.
- Number of lessons:
- Classroom: 3 days/6 evenings
- Live Online: 6 sessions
- OnDemand/Distance Learning: study at your own pace
Subject assessment: computer-based exam
Foundation Award in Accounting Software (Level 2)
£249.00 - £459.00 (inc. VAT)
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Included
Using accountancy software (UACS)*
You’ll process sales and purchase transactions, bank and cash transactions, perform period end routine tasks like processing journals and reconciling bank statements, and produce reports for customers and suppliers.
Please note - you will be using Xero Accounting Software for the UACS exam.
*(Available via Live Online, OnDemand and Distance Learning study methods only.)
- Number of lessons:
- Live Online: 4 sessions
- OnDemand/Distance Learning: study at your own pace
Subject assessment: computer-based exam
Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping (Level 3)
£666.30 - £1,383.30 (inc. VAT)
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Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping (CIB) students must study Advanced Bookkeeping prior to studying Final Accounts Preparation. Indirect Tax can be taken at any point within this qualification.
Included
Advanced Bookkeeping (AVBK)
You’ll learn how to apply the principles of advanced double entry bookkeeping. You’ll prepare depreciation calculations, period-end adjustments and learn how to extend the trial balance.
- Number of lessons:
- Classroom: 5 days/10 evenings
- Live Online: 10 sessions
- OnDemand/Distance Learning: study at your own pace
Subject assessment: computer-based exam
Included
Final Accounts Preparation (FAPR)
You’ll learn how to prepare final accounts for sole traders and partnerships, identify alternative organisation structures, and examine the regulations governing company accounts.
- Number of lessons:
- Classroom: 3 days/6 evenings
- Live Online: 6 sessions
- OnDemand/Distance Learning: study at your own pace
Subject assessment: computer-based exam
Included
Indirect Tax (IDRX)
You’ll examine and apply VAT legislation requirements, complete VAT returns, and study the implications of errors, late filing and payment, and how to report VAT related information.
- Number of lessons:
- Classroom: 1 days/2 evenings*
- Live Online: 2 sessions*
- OnDemand/Distance Learning: study at your own pace
*This is a Blended learning course that includes Classroom and OnDemand learning.
Subject assessment: computer-based exam
2. Study methods
Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have four study methods that suit different learning styles, to fit around your life.
Study methods available for this qualification
Whichever study method you choose, you’ll be exam confident, as we offer hundreds of practice questions. We offer expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates. You’ll benefit from award-winning tutors, practical learning methods, and ongoing support, even after your exams.
Study method comparison table keyboard_arrow_down
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Classroom |
Live Online - full day |
Live Online - afternoon/evening |
Award winning OnDemand |
Distance Learning |
| Live, tutor-led classes at set times |
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| Re-watch your lessons |
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| Learning materials available - including study text, pocket notes/revision cards and exam/revision packs |
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| Award winning online learning resources including bite-sized tutor-led videos |
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| Marked mock exams and lots of additional practice questions |
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| Access to Academic Support 7 days a week |
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| Learning Coaches offering advice, guidance and support to help keep your learning on track |
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| Interact with other students studying the same course |
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| Pass Guarantee available with full course |
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| Study at your own pace |
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| Classes capped at 40 students |
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Pass Guarantee Available
Award-winning structured online course with the flexibility to start anytime and study anywhere.
- Topic focused learning modules, containing tutor-led bite-sized videos.
- Engaging activities designed for effective online learning.
- Integrated programme to guide you efficiently through the whole syllabus.
View OnDemand 5 day free trial
Every module and topic has been through a detailed instructional design process, which means we‘ve considered how to best explain each area and cement your understanding of the subject. This includes a variety of concise learning formats such as bite-sized tutor-led lectures, and activities to help link topics together. Every module is scripted and links on screen animations with graphics found within your integrated workbook. This provides a high quality online learning experience, which is so much more than a live recorded tutor session or even a tutor narrating highlighted text book visuals.
In addition to Academic Support, our team of Learning Coaches offer advice, guidance and support, on how to best learn and progress through your course. They use data to identify if you need extra support and will help you get back on track if you need it.
Pass Guarantee
OnDemand is a complete course, which includes tuition, revision and exam preparation, and comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you are unsuccessful, the Pass Guarantee will give you FREE ongoing tutor support until you do pass. MyKaplan can also be extended on request to help you get back on track.
Pass Guarantee Available
A traditional scheduled programme with face to face tutor-led classes.
- Classes with your peers at set times of day
- Centrally located in most major cities: View all classroom locations
- Access to our award winning OnDemand online learning resources
View Classroom demo
Classroom is a complete course, which includes tuition, revision and exam preparation, and comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you are unsuccessful, the Pass Guarantee will give you FREE ongoing tutor support until you do pass. MyKaplan can also be extended on request to help you get back on track.
Pass Guarantee Available
The same as classroom, but live interactive online classes at a set time.
- Interactive live lectures delivered online by our expert tutors
- Full weekday, weekend, afternoon or evening classes available
- Re-watch and replay lessons through recordings
- Access to our award winning OnDemand online learning resources
View Live Online 5 day free trial
Live Online is a complete course, which includes tuition, revision and exam preparation, and comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you are unsuccessful, the Pass Guarantee will give you FREE ongoing tutor support until you do pass. MyKaplan can also be extended on request to help you get back on track.
Pass Guarantee Available
Self-study online modules for you to work through at your own pace.
- Study remotely with printed and online materials
- Includes a variety of additional online resources
View Distance Learning 5 day free trial
Distance Learning is a complete course, which includes tuition, revision and exam preparation, and comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you are unsuccessful, the Pass Guarantee will give you FREE ongoing tutor support until you do pass. Access to MyKaplan and OnDemand content can also be extended for £50 to help you get back on track.
Timetables - Classroom and Live Online
date_rangeView timetables
3. Exams and sittings
Timings and working towards a sitting
- Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping takes around 12 weeks to complete.
- Foundation Award in Accounting Software takes around 6 weeks to complete.
- Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping takes around 6 months to complete.
Book an exam
Exams
You must pass all unit assessments in the qualification you are taking. All assessments are computer-based exams and have a time restriction.
Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping (Level 2)
- Bookkeeping Transactions - 2 hour computer-based exam
- Bookkeeping Controls - 2 hour computer-based exam
Foundation Award in Accounting Software (Level 2)
- Using Accounting Software - 2 hour computer-based exam
Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping (Level 3)
- Advanced Bookkeeping - 2 hour computer-based exam
- Final Accounts Preparation - 2 hour computer-based exam
- Indirect Tax - 90 minute computer-based exam
4. Study materials and delivery costs
Study materials
The following materials are included in each course:
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Study text
A textbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities.
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Pocket notes
Our AAT pocket notes are pocket-sized, brief revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass your AAT exams.
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Exam kit
The exam kit gives you plenty of exam style questions and answers to test your knowledge and practice.
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Learning and assessment plan/study programme
Outlines the course structure.
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Online syllabus coverage
Covers key topics for Distance Learning and full coverage for other methods.
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Integrated workbook (Classroom, OnDemand, Live Online)
The integrated workbook helps you work through the syllabus, with room to write your notes. It helps you keep everything in one place to make it easy to study and revise from.
Classroom, Live Online and OnDemand students will receive printed and online study materials, while Distance Learning students have the option of printed and online, or online only.
To buy the materials separately...
You can buy AAT books for each subject on this level from Kaplan Publishing.
Buy AAT books
Delivery costs
subscriptions
How much it costs to deliver your study materials and how long it takes depends on where in the world you live.
Delivery fees are as follows:
UK and NI - £7 for the first package, £7 for subsequent packages
EU - £35 for the first package, £30 for subsequent packages
Rest of the World - £50 for the first package, £50 for subsequent packages
Please note that due to varying interpretations of the post-Brexit EU/UK trading agreement, some EU countries are imposing import duty on the value of the goods received from the UK. It is payable by the end consumer via the delivery company and your delivery may be withheld until paid. This may vary from country to country and be up to a value of 20% of the value of the study material.
A package relates to all the materials for a specific subject, for example AAT Bookkeeping transactions (BTRN). If purchasing a course for more than one subject, the additional package charges will apply.
Delivery fees are capped at 3 x the cost, per single order. So, if you buy 5 courses for UK delivery in a single order, it will be £7 x 3, rather than £7 x 5.
Our standard delivery times for Live Online, OnDemand, Online and Distance Learning are:
UK – 3 to 5 working days
EU – 5 to 7 working days
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days subject to availability.
Our standard delivery deadline for UK classroom courses is one week prior to the first course date.
Delivery charges apply to Classroom, Distance Learning, OnDemand, Online and Live Online courses which include printed materials. If delivery charges are applicable for your course, they will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.
5. MyKaplan: online learning environment
MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.
Online features
- View your detailed study programme and online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
- Contact a tutor directly using live chat. You can also email or request a callback
- Complete practice tests and get instant feedback
- Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
- Instant mock exam results
- Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app
Access duration
Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for.
Classroom
Six months from last course date, with a three month extension policy if required, then £50 for a further three months.
Live Online
Six months from last course date, with a three month extension policy if required, then £50 for a further three months.
OnDemand
Nine months from enrolment date, with a three month extension policy if required, then £50 for a further three months.
Distance Learning
18 months from enrolment date, with a three month extension policy if required, then £50 for a further three months.
computer Minimum system requirements for MyKaplan
6. Tutor support
We'll support you every step of the way throughout your AAT learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.
Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):
- Live chat (instant response via online messenger system)
- Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
- Discussion forum (we’ll get back to you within 4 hrs)
- Request a callback so you can speak to a tutor (we’ll arrange a call with you within 24 hours). Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students.
Academic Support opening times
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 8pm
Friday: 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - 1pm
7. Testing and Mocks
We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams. All study options come with the following:
8. Pricing structure
Unit prices can differ depending on your study method, location and the time you choose to study (if you’re choosing Classroom). Go to our study methods to learn more about each option.
Units are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether (for a discount), or separately as you need them. This also helps you split the cost to make it more affordable.
| Scheduled |
Flexible |
| Live Online |
OnDemand |
Distance Learning |
| from £449 (inc. VAT) |
from £329 (inc. VAT) |
from £199 (inc. VAT) |
Funding options
Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You'll need to speak to them to see if you're eligible and whether they would be willing to fund the cost.