AAT Accounting Level 4 Diploma

Throughout the programme you'll explore:

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

Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements - Focuses on drafting, analysis, and interpretation of financial statements of limited companies. This builds on the Foundation and Advanced levels, where the emphasis of the financial accounting units is on identifying and recording transactions in accounts and ledgers following the principles of double entry bookkeeping and drafting the financial statements of unincorporated organisations from the accounts and records prepared.

Applied Management Accounting - You'll understand how the budgetary process is undertaken. You will be able to construct budgets and then identify and report both on areas of success and on areas that should be of concern to key stakeholders. Additionally, you will gain the skills required to critically evaluate organisational performance.

You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills across a range of systems that will help to enhance the control environment of the organisation. Appreciating that there are many methods and understanding how and when it is appropriate to use each of them, will allow students to advise a business in a range of situations.

You will also gain an appreciation of the methods used to deal with the issues surrounding both short-term and long-term decision making. It is vitally important to understand the different challenges and uncertainties between the two types of decision making. Only by appreciating and incorporating those differences into the analysis produced can a management accountant consider themselves to be an integral part of the decision-making process.

Internal Accounting Systems and Controls - Expplore and consider the role and responsibilities of the accounting function, including the needs of key stakeholders who use financial reports to make decisions. You will review accounting systems to identify weaknesses and will make recommendations to mitigate identified weaknesses in future operations. You will apply several analytical methods to evaluate the implications of any changes to operating procedures.

Business Tax - An introduction to UK taxation relevant to businesses. Discover the computing of business taxation, preparation of tax returns and how taxation has an impact on the running of a business for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.

Personal Tax - Understand the key aspects of taxation that affect UK taxpayers. It covers income tax, National Insurance, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax.

AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting or any equivalent qualification.

A good understanding of finance for business and a AAT Level 3 qualification.

AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting

This qualification can be used to progress into other accounting qualifications such as CA, ACCA and CIMA.

There is a formal external exam held in the College at the end of the unit. However, prior to this, mock exams and homework will be organised to prepare candidates for the final exam.

Lecturers will set exercises to be completed at home and reviewed the following week. You may wish to undertake self-study outside of classroom hours. Approximately three hours a week of non-class work is recommended.

You do not need to be in relevant work to undertake this course although having some applied knowledge of bookkeeping, finance and accountacy in a work situation would be an advantage.

In addition to the course fees, there is a qualification fee payable directly to AAT of £251 and exam registration fees of £330, that are payable to the College.