KEY COURSE DETAILS

Course code: 60547
Study method: online study
Course length: 14 months
Study per week: 8-10 hour

COURSE FEE*^:
£2,573 – Self-funding and Advanced Learner Loan
(* Exams and AAT Membership included)
(^ Fees are subject to change)

AIMS OF THE COURSE

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy or finance.

The purpose of the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting is to enhance the skills
developed from the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, enabling students to maximise
opportunities in their current or new employment.

By studying for this qualification, students will acquire professional accountancy and finance
skills that will be useful throughout their careers, including:

• drafting financial statements for limited companies
• having the knowledge and skills to use complex management accounting techniques
• the ability to analyse accounting systems and their associated controls
• having knowledge and skills in specialist accountancy and finance subjects.

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting qualification will suit those who:

• have completed the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and who would like to continue to build their accounting skills
• are already working in finance and would like a formal recognition of their skills
• would like to go on to become an AAT full member and/or study for chartered accountant status
• would like to start their own business through the AAT licensed members scheme.

BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting is delivered 100% via ELearning, so you do not need to attend classes in the College but have the flexibility to study at times to fit around your existing commitments.

You will be set a study plan with deadlines to submit your assignments and work towards the unit exams.

You will be required to travel to an Approved AAT Centre which is local to you to sit exam. Remote exams can also be accommodated and require downloading of software at home.

SUPPORT PROVIDED

Your assessor will guide you through the course providing assistance and a tailored course experience for you.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

The Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting covers high-level accounting and finance topics and tasks. Students will look at and become comfortable with a wide range of financial management skills and applications, and will gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategies and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports. Students will also learn about specialist areas such as tax, auditing, credit and debit management and cash and financial management. Key themes have also been introduced throughout the suite of accounting qualifications, including technology, ethics, sustainability and communication.

This qualification comprises three mandatory units and two specialist units selected from a choice of five options (390 guided learning hours in total).

The mandatory units are:

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

The optional units are:

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

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.

HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED?

Students must successfully achieve the 3 mandatory unit assessments and 2 optional unit assessments to achieve this qualification. The proportion of this qualification assessed by externally marked assessment is 100%. All assessments in this qualification:

• are set and marked by AAT
• are computer based
• are time-limited
• are scheduled by training providers or assessment venues
• take place at approved training providers and assessment venues under controlled conditions.

Unit assessments are available to be scheduled on demand throughout the year, except during periods set and communicated by AAT

The 3 mandatory units and 2 optional units are assessed individually through computer-based end-of-unit assessments.

WHAT COULD I PROGRESS ON TO?

The accountancy skills developed through this qualification will enable a student to seek employment with confidence.

Once qualified, and having met AAT’s criteria, students can apply for full AAT membership,
which will allow them to use the designatory letters MAAT after their name.

However, the primary and most important outcome of the Level 4 Diploma in Professional
Accounting is that it can lead to a wide variety of well-paid accountancy and finance jobs, some of which include:

• Professional Accounting Technician
• Assistant Auditor
• Assistant Management Accountant
• Commercial Analyst
• Payroll Manager
• Senior Bookkeeper
• Senior Financial Officer
• Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor
• Assistant Financial Accountant
• Cost Accountant
• Fixed Asset Accountant
• Indirect Tax Manager
• Payments and Billing Manager
• Senior Fund Accountant
• Senior Insolvency Administrator
• Tax Supervisor
• VAT Accountant

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.
• Completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting/Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting

Recommended:

• Prior attainment of other business or finance studies would also be beneficial.
• Currently or formerly working in a financial environment

FUNDING OPTIONS:

SELF-FUNDING

Staged Payments – for courses of over 12 weeks and £200, students can pay in 5 instalments of, the first taken as a deposit on enrolment (via BACS or Debit/Credit Card) and then 4 further instalments taken via Direct Debit.

LOAN FUNDED (ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN)

This course is Advanced Learner Loan funded providing you meet the below eligibility criteria:

• 19+ years old
• be living in the UK on the first day of your course
• be a UK national or Irish citizen or have ‘settled status’ (no restrictions on how long you can stay)
• have been living in the UK, British overseas territories, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 3 years in a row before the first day of the first academic year of your course (apart from temporary absences such as holidays)

Full eligibility criteria can be viewed by visiting: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/eligibility.

This Government loan will be paid directly to the college, and is linked to your attendance.

You will start to repay your loan when you start to earn over £27,295 per annum (correct at time of posting).

For more information about Advanced Learner Loans visit: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

There is a cooling off period of 14 calendar days from enrolment, during which a student may withdraw and receive a full refund. As set out in the Tuitions Fee Policy, fees are not refundable except when the College cancels, relocates or changes the time and date of a course for any reason. Students are liable for the balance of any fees remaining unpaid should they withdraw early.