AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting (Q2022)

Since the pandemic, we've really embraced online learning. We know that study habits have changed, and more and more people are taking advantage of the convenience of studying online.

Our online courses are perfect for helping you to improve knowledge, boost your CV, and progress your career. You can choose from an excellent range of subjects such as accounting, leadership, and care-related courses.

We'll also provide you with an online support tutor, so you won't be left on your own to figure it all out for yourself. Your support tutor will always be on hand to guide and steer you in the right direction and give you feedback on your assignments.

Please note that some of the Level 2 courses may be fully funded* if you are unemployed or earn under the low-income threshold of £25,000 or less (annual gross salary).

(*subject to postcode check)

*We will use your postcode to determine if you live in an area we can fund with a fee waiver. If your postcode is devolved** then you may decide to waive your funding rights and proceed with self-funding.

**There are currently 12 areas with mayoral devolution in England: Greater London, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Tees Valley, West of England, York and North Yorkshire, East Midlands, and the North East.

We are also unable to support with funding with a fee waiver if you live in Wales, Scotland or Ireland.

For more information on eligibility please contact us:

  • Email: ELearning@escg.ac.uk
  • Tel: 030 300 38368

Site

Workplace/Other

Level

Level 2

Course Type

Adult

Courses

Options Course Code Starts Ends Days Standard Fee
enquire apply 60532-01 07/04/25 07/02/26 Various Throughout Year £1000

What will I study?

The Level 2 Certificate in Accounting is ideal for anyone wishing to study accountancy and finance alongside a range of complementary business and personal skills. The purpose of the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting is to offer the foundation accounting knowledge needed to progress to employment or further study in accountancy and finance, alongside business and personal skills that are transferable to any sector and additional business knowledge relevant to accountancy. The qualification offers a broader focus across several subject areas which enhances employability and is particularly suitable for young people studying full-time.

Students should choose the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting if they’re interested in developing transferable business and personal skills alongside their core accountancy skills. This qualification may also be valuable for those entering the workplace for the first time or for those changing careers who would like additional support in upskilling to enter, or re-enter, a business environment.

The Level 2 Certificate in Accounting covers a broad range of core accounting skills, as well as accountancy-related business skills and personal skills. Key themes have also been introduced throughout the suite of accounting qualifications, including technology, ethics, sustainability and communication.

This qualification comprises four mandatory units (255 guided learning hours in total):

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

Working in accountancy requires good communication skills, information technology (IT) skills and an understanding of the business environment, as well as an understanding of daily finance/accounting functions. The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that students are well rounded and well prepared to progress into a career in business, finance or professional accountancy, or into further education.

A student completing this qualification will develop accountancy skills in double-entry bookkeeping and basic costing, as well as an understanding of purchase, sales and general ledgers. Students will learn an understanding of accounting software and develop the professional skills and behaviours needed to contribute effectively in the workplace.

The qualification develops additional business skills that have particular relevance to those working in accountancy, finance and general business roles.

Students are introduced to elements of commercial law that might have an impact on them when working in accountancy, such as contract law, employment law and company law. In addition, students will further develop their business communication and personal skills and will learn how to manage their personal and professional development through lifelong learning.

Three units are assessed individually in end-of-unit assessments. This qualification also includes a synoptic assessment that draws on and assesses knowledge and understanding from across a number of units.

DELIVERY STYLE

This online course differs to a classroom course, as you will not be taught. Instead, you will study independently, and your progress will be monitored by the support tutor and admin team. The support tutor is available to contact if you have any questions or wish to have some additional tuition.

The learning materials and all unit assessments for this course is through an online platform (VLE). You will be required to complete 100% of the unit assessment questions by a set deadline and then revise and sit an AAT assessment (exam) at an approved AAT exam centre. This is the format for each unit of study.

What previous qualifications or experience do I need?

  1. Completion of AAT Skills Check. 2. Passed assessment 1 by the deadline set on Equal. 3. Have set up payment method for your course fees (eg payment plan, Advanced Learner Loan). 1.Confirmed acceptance of the offer (see link at the end of the letter). 2. Passed Unit 1 by no later than 4 weeks from your start date. 3. Have ‘approved’ loan status or instalment plan set up if self-funding within 6-weeks of your start date. 4.By the course start date to have the use of a suitable device, eg a PC, Laptop, Tablet, to access your online course material. 5.Completed the East Sussex College short online training courses by the end of your course.

How will I be assessed?

Exams

The AAT Level 3 qualification consists of a series of computer-based assessments (CBAs), which are overseen by AAT Approved training providers or assessment centres.

Assessments can be taken at any recognised AAT testing location nationwide, including the East Sussex College campuses in Eastbourne, Hastings, and Ore Valley. Remote invigilation for some exams is now available. Read more about Remote Invigilation here

In total, there are 4 exams. You will be required to schedule an exam following each study unit on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This structured approach allows you to focus on one topic at a time and apply your knowledge while it's fresh.

What qualification will I achieve?

What can I do after completing this course?

The accountancy and business skills developed by studying this qualification will enable a student to seek employment with confidence and/or to progress to the next level of learning.

A student completing this qualification will develop skills in double-entry bookkeeping and will understand how to use journals, control accounts and a trial balance. Students will also gain an understanding of accounting software packages, how to process financial information in accordance with company procedures and schedules, and how to provide information to colleagues, suppliers and/or customers as required.

Skills developed through this qualification could lead to employment as:

  • an Accounts Administrator
  • an Accounts Assistant
  • an Accounts Payable Clerk
  • a Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk
  • a Trainee Accounting Technician
  • a Trainee Finance Assistant.

The accountancy and finance knowledge developed in this qualification is also the underpinning knowledge needed for the higher-level accountancy and financial skills developed in the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting. For example, double-entry bookkeeping at Level 2 is the basis for Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements (Level 3), which leads on to Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements (Level 4).

Are there any extra costs?

Purchasing books isn’t a requirement as the learning materials are embedded into the virtual learning environment, however, should you wish to purchase additional learning materials then this is your choice Osborne, BPP and Kaplan exam kit are publisher’s learners have previously used, so would be a good choice. The fees include AAT Memberships and exams, but you will have to pay yourself should you need to re-sit exams.

Additional Info

KEY COURSE DETAILS

Study method: online study

Course length: 10 months

Recommended study per week: 7 hours

COURSE FEE^: £1000

£0* if eligible for fee waiver

(* Exams and AAT Membership included) (^ fees are subject to change)

FUNDING OPTIONS:

SELF-FUNDING

Staged Payments – for courses of over 12 weeks and £200, students can pay in 4 instalments of, the first taken as a deposit on enrolment (via BACS or Debit/Credit Card).

Fee waiver:

Unemployed and low wage waivers Students who are unemployed and receipt of certain benefits, or students who are employed/self-employed and earn less than £25,000 annual gross salary, may be eligible for a waiver of tuition and/or exam fees. Note that students aged 19-23 may not be eligible if they are studying their first level 2 (subject to postcode check).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Essential:

  • Access to a device (laptop/PC/tablet) the minimum recommended study time per week (study via a mobile device isn’t advised)

  • Internet access

  • Demonstrate good standard of English and math – (GCSE/Functional Skills Certificates or complete an Initial Assessment)

  • Completion of AAT Skills Check Please save your results as they will be required to support your application.

Our online courses have various start dates each month. Our upcoming dates are below:

  • 28th April 2025
  • 26th May 2025
  • 23rd June 2025
  • 21st July 2025