Accounting is crucial for all businesses, no matter how large or small. All companies need to monitor their figures and plan their finances – and so they depend on people trained in accountancy.
Because the AAT Accounting Qualification provides knowledge and practical accountancy skills, it shows employers you’ve been trained to a high standard. That’s why it’s internationally recognised and many organisations ask for AAT qualifications in job adverts. Indeed many firms pay AAT qualified staff up to 15% more than their unqualified colleagues
Why do AAT qualifications?
The AAT Accounting Qualification is unique because it provides you with theoretical knowledge and practical accounting skills.
AAT is preferred by students because you can apply irrespective of your age, experience or previous qualifications – and you can study full time; part time or at home.
The qualification is widely respected and often preferred by employers like Rolls-Royce, the NHS and Pricewaterhousecoopers because AAT qualified staff have hands-on experience in doing the job. This is why AAT qualified staff can earn up to 15% more than their unqualified colleagues.
AAT is a fast-track, non-graduate route into charted accountancy. People who choose this route can become chartered much faster than if they had gone to university. And one in 12 chartered accountants now qualifies via this route.
On gaining the AAT qualification you can also become a full member of the AAT and use the letters MAAT after your name, providing a huge boost to your career prospects. Many AAT full members go on to very senior levels at work and over 1,500 now run their own accountancy businesses.
What is an Accounting Technician?
The term covers a wide range of accounting jobs, ranging from administrative roles through to head of finance positions – it just depends on where you work, what experience you gain and how ambitious you are. Once AAT qualified, the sky’s the limit!
What do accounting roles do? How much can they earn?
The AAT Accounting Qualification has 3 levels. On completion of each level, AAT students will be capable of doing the following roles:
- Foundation (NVQ Level 2) / Certificate Jobs with an administrative emphasis such as Finance Administrator or Assistant.The salary per annum range from £12,500 to £22,500
- Intermediate (NVQ Level 3) / Advanced certificate Jobs with a more evaluative emphasis such as Finance Officer.The salary per annum range from £13,500 to £25,500
- Technician (NVQ/SVQ Level 4) / Diploma Jobs with a management emphasis such as Finance Team Leader or Senior Finance Officer.The salary per annum range from £15,500 to £28,000
- AAT full member (MAAT) After qualifying, you may become a full member of the AAT. You can run your own accountancy company, go for even more senior level roles or move onto Chartered Accountancy.The salary per annum range from £18,500 to £80,000+
What next?
The next step is to visit the AAT website to request more information and find out which level is best for you to start at.