AAT Foundation is the first step on the AAT ladder and introduces you to the basic principles of accountancy, and is perfect if you’ve never studied accounting before.
The level takes around six to twelve months to complete, and you’ll study subjects such as double-entry bookkeeping, costing and preparing financial statements, as well as how to use accountancy software.
Even though it’s just the first level of AAT, you can use your Foundation/level 2 qualification to get a great job, or advance in the role you already have.
What jobs can I do with the AAT Foundation level?
Accounts Assistant
Accounts Assistants provide admin support to accountants - be it a team or an individual, in a large or small business. You would typically help them with a range of day-to-day financial operations. These could include processing payments, filing documents, reconciling invoices and tracking expenses.
Expected salary: Around £23,000 a year.
Accounts Administrator
Accounts Administrators receive and verify billing and requisitions, for goods and services. You might also make sure that bills are taken care of accurately and in a timely manner. You may have to contact clients and vendors to resolve issues and discuss discrepancies.
Expected salary: Around £19,000 a year.
Trainee Accounting Technician
Accounting Technicians do a lot of the detail work involved in accountancy. You would help to prepare the financial information that professional accountants or business managers use to give financial advice, or make business decisions. With AAT Foundation you could begin your training in this area.
Expected salary: Around £22,000 a year - when qualified you could expect £30,000+ a year.
Accounts Payable Clerk
Accounts Payable Clerks do a range of accounting and clerical tasks, including receiving, processing and verifying invoices, tracking and recording purchase orders, and processing payments. You will need to be very detail oriented and stick to tight deadlines.
Expected salary: Around £20,000 a year.
After AAT Foundation
Once you’ve completed the first level of AAT, you can go into a large range of job roles, but you could also move on to the AAT Advanced level and open even more doors.
Following that you could aim for more senior positions, such a Finance Officer, Assistant Accountant, or Advanced Bookkeeper. It’s really up to you how far you go with AAT.
Think AAT is for you?
If you think AAT may be the way forward, have a look at our AAT pages for more information and details about our study methods - all designed to suit the individual learner.
Sources:
Totaljobs.com
glassdoor.co.uk