AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting

Frequently Asked Questions

• Entry requirements

  You don’t need any previous qualifications or accountancy experience to begin studying AAT Level 2. However, you must have a good standard of English literacy and basic maths skills. We also recommend that you register with AAT within four weeks of registering with us so you can receive your AAT student number, which enables you to enter for assessments. If you have any criminal convictions you will need to discuss this with AAT before purchasing a course.

• AAT Level 2 Certificate syllabus

  By the end of the AAT Level 2 Certificate course, you will be able to process daily business transactions in a manual and computerised bookkeeping system. You’ll also be able to control accounts, work on payroll and understand basic costing principles.

  Introduction to Bookkeeping (ITBK)

  • Setting up bookkeeping systems
  • Processing customer transactions
  • Processing supplier transactions
  • Processing receipts and payments
  • Processing transactions into the ledger accounts

  Principles of Bookkeeping Controls (POBC)

  • How to use control accounts
  • Reconciling a bank statement with the cash book
  • Using the journal
  • Producing trial balances

  Principles of Costing (PCTN)

  • How to understand the cost recording system within an organisation
  • Using cost recording techniques
  • How to provide information on actual and budgeted costs and income
  • Using tools and techniques to support cost calculations

  The Business Environment (BESY) – Synoptic Assessment

  • The principles of contract law
  • The external business environment
  • The key principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability
  • The impact of setting up different types of business entity
  • The finance function within an organisation
  • How to produce work in appropriate formats and communicate effectively
  • The importance of information to business operations
• How is this course assessed?

  The course is assessed by a combination of unit assessments and one synoptic assessment.

  Unit assessment

  A unit assessment only tests knowledge and skills taught in that unit. At Level 2 accounting they are:

  • Available on demand, mostly all year round
  • Scheduled by and sat at AAT approved assessment venues
  • Mostly marked by the computer, providing fast assessment results

  Synoptic assessment

  The synoptic assessment is an end of course assessment which tests a variety of knowledge and skills from several units. At Level 2 accounting it is:

  • Attempted once the unit assessments have been attempted
  • Available on demand, mostly all year round
  • Scheduled by and sat at AAT approved assessment venues

  Getting your results

  Assessment results are available in your MyAAT account within 24 hours for computer marked assessments*. For those assessments marked by the AAT you can expect to receive your results within 6 weeks and the results will be published via MyAAT.
  * For a short period, Q2022 results may take up to 15 days.

  Grading

  To be awarded the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting qualification you must achieve at least a 70% competency level in each unit assessment and in the synoptic assessment.

  Resits

  You can resit an assessment to improve your grade. Results from the assessment with the highest marks will be used to calculate your final grade. There are no resit restrictions or employer engagement requirements for any fee paying student on any of our AAT courses.

  AAT external assessment approved venues

• What’s included, and what support will I get?

  • Partnering with the best, you’ll always have access to market leading tutor led online learning modules and content developed by Kaplan and Osborne books. All day, every day for as long as you subscribe.
  • Unlimited access to the AAT Level 2 content with the use of all other levels. Empowering you to progress when you’re ready at no extra cost.
  • Instant access to our unique comprehensive Study Buddy learning guide.
  • Access to Consolidation and Progress Tests, and computer and self marked Mock Exams.
  • You’re fully supported with access to expert tutors, seven days a week, responding via email within four working hours.
  • You’ll be assigned a mentor to help and guide you through the order of subjects to study in, and check that the level you’re starting at is right for you.
  • Your subscription includes all the online content you need to succeed, but if you want to supplement your learning with books, Eagle students get 50% off hard copy study materials.
• What could I do next?

  Once you’ve passed Level 2, you can work in roles such as accounts payable clerk, accounts officer, payroll administrator, or finance assistant, with salaries of up to £23,000. Alternatively, if you want to continue studying, your Eagle subscription gives you unlimited access to all AAT levels, meaning you can continue your studies and move onto the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting at no additional cost.

• Additional costs

  You are required to become a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) launch to fulfil your qualification. Fees associated with admission and exam fees are in addition to the cost of the course. Admission and membership fees are payable direct to AAT. Exam fees are paid to the exam centre.

  • AAT one-off Level 2 registration fee £172
  • AAT Assessment Fees: £70 to £80 per unit, but fee can vary depending on where you sit your assessment

  Please be aware that these are subject to change.