Essential Things to Know About the AAT 2022 Syllabus

"This is a guide to AAT 2022 accounting and bookkeeping qualifications. What do you need to know about AAT exams, synoptic assessments, and results? What about the job role and salary scales?"

KBM Training & Recruitment is an AAT-approved training provider. We explain the essential things you need to know for the AAT 2022 Syllabus. This guide will include the following points and FAQs:

  • What are the Necessary Things You Need to Know about the AAT 2022 Syllabus?
  • Which AAT courses can I study?
  • Can I study AAT at any age?
  • How about AAT exams?
  • Where and when can I sit for my AAT exams?
  • What are the AAT grades?
  • How can I re-sit the AAT assessments?
  • How can I become a member of AAT?
  • What are the Jobs when I complete the AAT qualification?

What are the Necessary Things You Need to Know about the AAT 2022 Syllabus?

If you pursue your accountancy or bookkeeping career or want to gain accounting or bookkeeping skills, the AAT qualifications will help you achieve your career goals effectively.

To gain AAT qualifications, you can select to Study Online to give you more flexibility to adjust your studies into your life than ever before.

If you have considered studying AAT, you will perhaps have many questions before you make your decision to Study the AAT.

Hence, we put together all your queries and issues in a guide to know everything for studying AAT 2022 syllabus.

Which AAT courses can I take?

AAT offers the following five courses covering accounting and bookkeeping from levels 2 to 4:

AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting

The AAT level 2 accounting offers a sound finance administration. It provides core accounting foundation knowledge and skills. You will understand how to prepare purchases, sales and general ledgers. Also, you will learn double-entry bookkeeping and basic costing skills.

This course will deliver knowledge on the four key themes. These include ethics, communications, technology, and sustainability. Also, you will acquire accountancy-related business and personal skills. This AAT level 2 accounting qualification requires the following four units' completion:

  • Introduction to Bookkeeping
  • Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
  • Principles of Costing
  • The Business Environment

You can complete the AAT level 2 accounting in 12 months, depending on your study schedule and learning options. Weekly, six to eight hours of study complete the qualification in 6 months.

AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping

The AAT level 2 bookkeeping offers double-entry bookkeeping skills. It also includes practical bookkeeping and accounting knowledge. Also, you will learn the associated documents and accounting processes.

Further, you will understand transactions for accuracy and make entries in accounting books and ledgers. Also, you will learn about sales invoices and credit notes' calculations. This level 2 bookkeeping course completes with the two study units:

  • Introduction to Bookkeeping
  • Principles of Bookkeeping Controls

The level 2 AAT bookkeeping qualification has three months completion time, depending on your study timetable and method.

AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

This AAT level 3 accounting qualification focuses on essential and higher-level accounting skills and techniques. It delivers financial processes skills more comprehensive range.

You will acquire maintaining cost accounting records, advanced bookkeeping and financial reporting, and preparing returns skills. It requires the following four units’ completion:

  • Business Awareness
  • Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
  • Management Accounting Techniques
  • Tax Processes for Businesses

It depends on choosing the study method and schedule you will complete in 6-12 months.

Also, you become eligible to apply for AAT bookkeeping membership (AATQB) at completion. This AATQB membership demonstrates your bookkeeping knowledge and skills to employers, clients, and colleagues.

The AAT level 3 accounting provides an opportunity to become self-employed and a freelancer to offer bookkeeping services.

AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping

This AAT level 3 bookkeeping course offers financial processes competence. You will gain the bookkeeping role's complex knowledge and skills to perform effectively. Also, you will acquire accounting principles and concepts valuable understanding.

You will learn how to prepare advanced bookkeeping and financial statement. Further, you will acquire business payroll and value-added tax (VAT) understanding.

This AAT level 3 bookkeeping provides progression to higher level accounting and bookkeeping job roles or further study. You will study the following two units to complete the course: 

  • Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
  • Tax Processes for Businesses

You will complete this level 3 bookkeeping qualification in 2 months.

Also, you will become eligible to apply for the AAT bookkeeping member (AATQB). Further, you will become AAT Licensed Bookkeeper to start your accountancy business.

AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting

This level 4 professional accounting diploma delivers financial management knowledge and applications focusing on professional accounting. You will gain complex accounting and finance topics and tasks knowledge and skills.

At completion, you can:

  • Draft limited companies' financial statements
  • Recommend an organisation's accounting systems strategies
  • construct and present complex management accounting reports

This level 4 accounting diploma requires the following three mandatory units' completion:

  • Applied Management Accounting
  • Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements
  • Internal Accounting Systems and Controls

Further, you will complete two optional specialist units from the following five options:

  • Business Tax
  • Personal Tax
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Cash and Financial Management
  • Credit and Debt Management

So, achieving the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting needs three mandatory and two optional specialist units' completion.

Alongside your job role preparation, this AAT level 4 qualification delivers valuable self-employment and freelancing competency.

Further, you can apply for MAAT and AATQB memberships after completion. These memberships tremendously allow you to run your own accountancy business.

Can I study AAT at any age?

If your age is 19 years or over, you can gain the AAT qualification, but there is no age limit. It's never too late to get the change if you seek a career in the accounting and finance industry.

How about the AAT exams?

At each level of the AAT, you will have a preset number of computer-based exams in the shape of the units and Synoptic Assessment.

Units’ assessment will test what you learned in the specific unit. The unit assessment is mostly multiple-choice questions but sometimes needs written answers to some questions.

Synoptic Assessment

Synoptic assessments will test the understanding of connections between the different topics studied. You should complete all the individual units before you sit for the synoptic exam.

Assessment methodology

The AAT assessment methodology includes:

  • Unit assessment only
  • Synoptic assessment only
  • Unit assessment and as part of the synoptic assessment

Where and when can I sit for my AAT exams?

You will sit for your AAT exams at the AAT-approved assessment venue. KBM has its AAT-approved venue to assist your exams. You will take a unit assessment after finishing studying each unit.

The exams will be at the end of your qualification and when you feel prepared. Then, you will sit for the synoptic assessment. You will set your review at the learning venue if you study AAT in a classroom.

If studying AAT online, you must find the nearest exam venue using the search tool. You can sit for your exams at specific times of the year for each AAT Level synoptic exam known as "Synoptic Windows" you can find the timetable for synoptic review here.

AAT gives schedules frequently for the unit assessment - you may contact your nearest AAT exam venue to find out their timing for the Assessment. 

What are the AAT grades?

Your final result grades are Pass, Merit and, Distinction. The AAT grades limits are:

  • Pass: 70 to 79%
  • Merit: 80 to 89%
  • Distinction: 90 to 100%
  • Fail: 70% Below 

How can I re-sit the AAT assessments?

The AAT entitles you to re-sit the Assessment if you are not successful. There is no restriction on re-sit numbers. However, you must consult your tutors about the revision before attempting the re-sits. 

How can I become a member of AAT?

Surely! You must join AAT student membership by studying the AAT qualifications and sitting your exams. You will also have access to the additional AAT study resources and support to help in your studies the preparation for your exams.

After the AAT level 4 professional diploma, you automatically will become an AAT affiliate member. It grants access to advice and support from the AAT, technical resources and exclusive discount options.

You can apply for the entitlement of full membership of AAT (MAAT) if you already possess some work experience in accounting and finance and you have also completed the Professional Diploma. MAAT will allow you to use these designatory letters "MAAT" after your name on your business cards, CV, emails and other messages.

The next step is to progress your membership to a fellow membership (FMAAT), which is the highest level of the group. AAT will allow you to upgrade the designatory letters to "FMAAT". The full membership for five years or more makes you eligible for the FMAAT.

What are the Jobs when I complete the AAT qualification?

When you are studying AAT qualification, this will help you to start or accelerate your career in accounting. Each AAT level will prepare you for the next phase of the development.

Job opportunities | AAT Level 2 Accounting and Bookkeeping

  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Accounting Administrator
  • Semi-senior Bookkeeper
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Administrator
  • Purchase Ledger Clerk
  • Trainee Bookkeeper
  • Sales Ledger Clerk
  • Accounts Assistant
  • Finance Assistant
  • Clerical Assistant
  • Accounts Clerk
  • Bookkeeper

Job opportunities | AAT Level 3 Accounting and Bookkeeping

  • Audit Trainee
  • Credit Controller
  • Senior Bookkeeper
  • Accounts Assistant
  • Practice Bookkeeper
  • Accounts Administrator
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Payable Supervisor
  • Accounts Expenses Supervisor
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Professional Bookkeeper
  • Payroll Administrator
  • Accounts Manager
  • Payroll Supervisor
  • Finance Assistant
  • Ledger Manager
  • Tax Assistant

Job opportunities | AAT Level 4 Accounting

  • Tax Supervisor
  • Billing Manager
  • Payroll Manager
  • Cost Accountant
  • VAT Accountant
  • Senior Bookkeeper
  • Payments Manager
  • Commercial Analyst
  • Indirect Tax Manager
  • Senior Finance Officer
  • Fixed Asset Accountant
  • Senior Fund Accountant
  • Accounts Payable Supervisor
  • Accounts Expenses Supervisor
  • Assistant Financial Accountant
  • Senior Insolvency Administrator
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