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AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

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Overview

This level will suit you if you want to develop the technical skills to start, or progress, your career in accountancy. This will allow you to continue with your studies onto Level 4.

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Average duration

6-12 months

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Assessments

4 exams

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Kaplan pass rate

Consistently higher than the global average

Timetables

Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled Classroom and Live Online sessions to see when the next one is running.

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Who it’s for

Entry requirements

You should have either passed AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, or you may be eligible for relevant exemptions if you’ve been working in an intermediate accounts role before enrolling on this course, or have achieved relevant A Levels. You may want to take the Skillcheck on the AAT website to find out which level you should start at.

If you are starting on Level 3, we advise that you enrol onto the Kaplan Introduction to Bookkeeping course, as there is an assumption at this level that you have a good knowledge of Double Entry Bookkeeping.

If you have achieved a university degree in accountancy or related, we recommend that you move straight onto ACA, ACCA or CIMA.

Learning outcomes from the course

Level 3 Diploma in Accounting covers a range of essential and higher-level accounting techniques and disciplines. You will learn and develop skills needed for a range of financial processes, including maintaining cost accounting records, advanced bookkeeping and the preparation of financial reports and returns.

You will learn how to prepare financial statements for sole traders and partnerships. You will also understand the internal and external business environment and the need for ethics and governance within an organisation. You will also understand the importance, purpose and techniques required for Management Accounting, as well as dealing with VAT and payroll processes.

Apprenticeships

You may be eligible for an apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances.

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The way in which the subjects are taught are very easy to understand. The recorded sessions allow you to refer back if you forgot something that has been taught previously. Very good tutors and their approach to teaching the course is great.

Yaw Appiah-Boateng
Yaw Appiah-Boateng Kaplan AAT Live Online student

Course content

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Compulsory

Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements (FAPS)

You'll learn how to apply the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping, acquisition and disposals of non-current assets. You'll prepare depreciation calculations, period-end adjustments and produce an extended trial balance. You will also learn how to prepare final accounts for sole traders and partnerships and deal with incomplete records.

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  • Understanding the accounting principles underlying final accounts preparation
  • Understanding the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping
  • Implementing procedures for the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets
  • Preparing and recording depreciation calculations
  • Recording period end adjustments
  • Producing and extending the trial balance
  • Producing financial statements for sole traders and partnerships
  • Interpreting financial statements using profitability ratios
  • Preparing accounting records from incomplete information

Compulsory

Management Accounting Techniques (MATS)

You will understand the purpose and use of management accounting and learn the costing and spreadsheet techniques required for organisations and the principles behind cash management. You will also investigate variances between budgets and actuals and use management accounting techniques to support short-term decision-making.

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  • Understanding the purpose and use of management accounting within organisations
  • Using techniques required for dealing with costs
  • Attributing costs according to organisational requirements
  • Investigating deviations from budgets
  • Using spreadsheet techniques to provide management accounting information
  • Using management accounting techniques to support short-term decision-making
  • Understanding principles of cash management

Compulsory

Tax Processes for Businesses (TPFB)

You'll examine and apply VAT legislation requirements, calculate VAT, review and verify Making Tax Digital (MTD) VAT returns, understand principles of payroll, and study the implications of errors, late filing and payment, and how to report VAT related information.

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  • Understanding legislation requirements relating to VAT
  • Calculating VAT
  • Reviewing and verifying VAT returns
  • Understanding principles of payroll
  • Reporting information within the organisation

Compulsory

Business Awareness (BUAW)

You will learn about different business types, structures, governance, the legal framework they operate in and the impact of the micro and macroeconomic environment. You will also learn about the relevance of ethics in accountancy and how technology impacts businesses, but also the risk associated with it and the need for data security.

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  • Understanding business types, structure and governance and the legal framework in which they operate
  • Understanding the impact of the external and internal environments on businesses, their performance and decisions
  • Understanding how businesses and accounts comply with principles of professional ethics
  • Understanding the impact of new technologies in accounting and the risks associated with data security
  • Communicating information to stakeholders

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Exams

AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

Computer Based Exams

You can take your exams at any time as they are on demand. It is important you aim to book your exam as soon as you intend to finish your course. We recommend you book early to avoid disappointment as this could disrupt your study plans. Please note, you'll need to book your exams separately. All assessments on this level are computer-based exams (CBE).

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You'll be awarded a grade (pass, merit, or distinction) based on how you perform across the qualification. Unit and synoptic assessments are not awarded grades individually, but the marks achieved in all assessments contribute to your overall grade for the qualification.

Courses

Inc VAT, excludes exams

Classroom from £710
OnDemand from £575
Live Online from £450
Distance Learning from £410
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Everything you need to succeed

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Expert material

Our courses include expert content, designed to help you pass your exams. You’ll get printed and digital study materials, as well as marked mock exams and practice questions.

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If your results aren't as expected, we provide free access to extra content, extended tutor support, and guidance for resitting until you pass your exams.

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Well-being support

Access well-being support through our resource library or speak confidentially with Kaplan's Mental Health First Aiders, safeguarding team, or your tutor and talent coach.

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Accessibility

We're committed to an inclusive learning environment, ensuring accessibility and personalised support for all students to succeed.

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Course includes

  • Printed integrated workbook*A key resource for your studies, it guides you through the syllabus and details when to use your other study resources. Includes space to add handwritten notes.
  • Printed study textTextbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities.
  • Online study modulesEngaging, online modules including bite-sized tutor led lectures taking you step by step through the whole syllabus. (Distance Learning courses do not include all modules).
  • Printed exam kitGives you plenty of exam style questions and answers to test your knowledge and practice. It includes our recommended revision approach and a revision plan, and exam technique guide.
  • Printed pocket notesPocket-sized revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass your AAT exams.
  • Regular testingKnowledge checks will help assess your understanding of a topic before you move onto the next one. You’ll enhance your understanding with consolidation tests (excludes TPFB), and a progress test designed to get you ready for the revision phase of your course.
  • Mock exams2 mock exams that evaluate your performance across the syllabus, highlight your strengths and weaknesses, and help you plan your revision efficiently.
  • Personalised online study spaceMyKaplan is your online learning portal that allows you to access your course content, contact your tutors, and take part in discussion forums. Learn More

*Not included in Distance Learning.

Study methods

Get everything you need to succeed, along with tailored features depending on which study method you choose.

Feature

Classroom
from £710

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Live Online
from £640

Free trial

OnDemand
from £575

Free trial

Distance Learning
from £410

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Live, tutor-led classes at set times
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Interactive study modules for the whole syllabus
Speak face-to-face with tutors and other learners on the same course
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Study at your own pace

I chose Kaplan because it offered me the resources and flexibility I needed to study. Having the study materials online was extremely helpful because I travel a lot for work and it meant I could study anywhere.

Alex Calliman
Alex Calliman Kaplan AAT Live Online student

Being able to study at home gives me so much more flexibility around my job. When it's really busy at work I generally don't get time to study during the week, so I make it up at the weekend.

Julie Dove
Julie Dove Kaplan AAT Distance Learning student

Ways to pay

Pay for your course using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We also offer alternative payment methods to suit your needs.

Invoice your employer

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning.

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Alternatively, you can apply for one of our payment plans. Spread the cost by paying monthly, so you can focus on learning and passing exams.