Working in finance?

Take the next step on your career ladder by enrolling on the AAT Accounting Qualification with CIPFA Northern Ireland. This will equip you with the relevant and practical skills to do a range of accounting and finance jobs. The course is extremely flexible and is open to all, no matter what your age or previous experience.

The qualification will lead to AAT full membership (allowing you to use the letters MAAT after your name) and progression onto the CIPFA's Professional Accountancy Qualification.

The AAT Accounting Qualification is based on the practical skills and knowledge you need to fulfil an accounting role. The content is regularly reviewed to make sure it is up-to-date with current work practice and that you gain the necessary experience that any progressive employer will expect.

From July 2010, CIPFA Northern Ireland are introducing the revised version of the AAT Accounting Qualification, in line with the new frameworks for creating and accrediting qualifications in the UK and Northern Ireland. The revised qualification has been developed with more flexible study options and content tailored to today’s business environment.

The AAT Accounting Qualification is split in to three levels.

• Level 2
• Level 3
• Level 4

Each Level consists of a number of units and is a qualification in its own right. A certificate is issued at each completed level.
 

AAT Level 2 (Day Release - February 2012)

This is the first stage of the qualification and is geared towards people with no finance experience. Skills learned at this level include administrative processes, double entry bookkeeping, accounting systems and purchase, sales and general ledgers. The units covered include:

• Basic Accounting 1
• Basic Accounting 2
• Working effectively in accounting and finance
• Basic costing
• Computerised accounting

AAT Level 3 (Day Release - October 2012)

Stage two of the qualification. This is the natural progression from Level 2. Students with previous bookkeeping and finance experience can enter the qualification at this stage (once a skills based test has been taken). Skills learned at this level include administrative and management processes, preparing final accounts for small businesses, cost accounting recording and preparing reports and returns. The units covered at Level 3 include:

• Accounts preparation 1
• Accounts preparation 2
• Cash management
• Costs and revenues
• Indirect tax
• Spreadsheets software
• Professional ethics in accounting and finance

 AAT Level 4 (Day Release - October 2012)

This is the final stage of the qualification. Once this stage is completed, students are fully qualified members of AAT and are Accounting Technicians. Skills learned at this level include complex management accounting tasks and general management skills and drafting financial statements. Units covered at Level 4 include:

• Financial statements
• Budgeting
• Financial performance
• Internal control and accounting systems

For further information on the AAT Accounting Qualification please visit the AAT website here. Alternatively, please contact Sheelah Gault via e-mail at sheelah.gault@cipfa.org.uk or telephone Sheelah on 028 9026 6774.

**AAT distance learning students may sit their Computer Based Assesments (CBA) at the CIPFA Northern Ireland centre, at a fee of £120 per CBA.  Please contact Sheelah Gault for further details.

To book a place on any of the AAT Accounting Qualification courses please download a  booking form and return it to Sheelah Gault.