Level 4 AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting (Standard Package)

The course is split into 3 mandatory units and 2 optional ones.

Mandatory units

Unit 1: Applied Management Accounting

This unit focuses on the three fundamental areas of management accounting: planning, control and decision making. All organisations rely on the provision of accurate, business-focused information in order to make sound business judgements.

Unit 2: Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements

This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge for drafting the financial statements of single limited companies and consolidated financial statements for groups of companies. Students will also acquire the tools and techniques required to analyse and interpret financial statements using ratio analysis.

On completion of this unit, there will be a computer-based test at a local centre of your choice. Topics from this unit may also appear within the synoptic assessment.

Unit 3: Internal Accounting Systems and Controls

The key aim of this unit is to provide students with the tools to evaluate internal controls and to recommend improvements. Students will learn to identify appropriate controls, assess their impact in terms of cost-effectiveness, reliability, and timeliness, and ensure that all functions adapt their working practices to meet new requirements in an ethical and sustainable way.

On completion of this unit, there will be a computer-based test at a local centre of your choice. Topics from this unit may also appear within the synoptic assessment.

Optional units – learners will need to do two of these units*

Business Tax

This unit introduces students to UK taxation relevant to businesses. Students will understand how to compute business taxes for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. They will also be able to identify tax planning opportunities while understanding the importance of maintaining ethical standards. This is an optional unit.

Personal tax

This unit provides students with the fundamental knowledge of the three most common taxes that affect taxpayers in the UK: income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. With this knowledge, students will be equipped to prepare not only the computational aspects where appropriate of these taxes, but also appreciate how taxpayers can legally minimise their overall taxation liability. This is an optional unit.

On completion of this unit, there will be a computer-based test at a local centre of your choice.

Audit and Assurance

This unit aims to develop a wider understanding of the principles and concepts, including the legal and professional rules of audit and assurance services. The unit will provide students with an awareness of the audit process from planning and risk assessment to the final completion and production of the audit report. This is an optional unit.

On completion of this unit, there will be a computer-based test at a local centre of your choice.

Cash and Financial Management

This unit focuses on the importance of managing cash within organisations and covers the knowledge and skills required to make informed decisions on financing and investment in accordance with organisational policies and external regulations. This is an optional unit.

Credit and Debt Management

This unit provides an understanding and application of the principles of effective credit control systems, including appropriate debt management systems. This unit will consider the techniques that can be used to assess credit risks in line with policies, relevant legislation, and ethical principles. Students will also consider what techniques are used to enable the collection of any overdue debts. This is an optional unit.

On completion of this unit, there will be a computer-based test at a local centre of your choice.