AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
Learning Hours: 250-300
Duration: Up to 18 Months
Exams: 4
Further develop the skills you need to handle complex accounting transactions, make year-end adjustments and prepare financial statements.
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Includes L3 registration and question banks (worth £319) |
You will also gain an understanding of the business environment, the technology used in finance and accounting, business issues regarding payroll and value-added tax (VAT), issues in business, management accounting techniques, ethical principles, and sustainability considerations for accountants.
Our unique and highly effective learning materials and resources have been developed to ensure you are able to progress smoothly and quickly through the units ensuring a higher rate of success.
No other training provider includes as many materials, lessons, examples and activities.
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Exceptional AAT pass rates |
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Winner! AAT Training Provider Awards 2024 |
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Study whenever you want - at your own pace |
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Award-winning tutor support |
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Dedicated accounting and bookkeeping training provider |
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Interest-free payment plans to spread the cost |
Includes free bonus course
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Free Xero Course and Certification
This enhances your CV and gives you the experience of using one of the most in-demand types of accounting software.
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Training Link focuses on three subjects: Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll.
This keeps us focused on delivering the best student experience. And that’s why over the last 28 years we’ve won over 20 awards – from AAT’S Best New Training Provider in 2018 to ICB’s Large Training Provider of the Year on 11 occasions. And several of our tutors have been awarded ‘Tutor of the Year’ by the ICB.
And in 2024 we were the only training provider to be nominated in three categories at the AAT awards:
- Distance Learning Provider of the Year
- Tutor of the Year
- Distance Learner of the Year
Training Link has created all of the study material in our blended and blended live course packages. The printed study manuals, online resources, videos, tests, and mock exams – are exclusive to Training Link and are not available from any other distance learning provider.
And because we control this material, we continually improve it based on student feedback and results. This is what helps Training Link students achieve a 85.8% pass rate at level 3 based on exams from 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
Online
Our most cost-effective option. Ideal if you want a digital-only study experience with tutor support. This does not include Training Link’s bespoke online materials or books.
Blended
Our most popular package. This is the core Training Link study experience.
Included in the Blended course package
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Our printed study manuals contain: lessons, examples, activities and assessments |
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Award-winning Tutor support by e-mail and phone |
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Videos – on-demand tutorials and explainers |
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Online resources to help fast-track your studies
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Exam preparation including our own mock exams |
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Student services department - 7-days a week |
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Talk with tutors and students on Student Street |
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Entitlement to apply for a Totum card |
Blended Live
Our top study package.
Includes everything from the Blended option and Live Online Exam revision sessions and an extra 52 hours of video content across levels 2, 3, and 4.
Choose a course package to see pricing.
AAT was established in 1980 and is the world’s leading professional body for accounting technicians with over 130,000 members.
AAT’s qualifications are internationally-recognised, OfQual regulated, and the syllabus has been developed after feedback from businesses so students develop real-world skills which improve their employability. They award 80% of all vocational qualifications in accounting.
Organisations such as Sainsbury’s, P&G, Morgan Stanley, the Ministry of Defence and many more continue to hire AAT qualified members for their knowledge, skills, and diligence.
Studying for an AAT qualification is a much more cost-effective option for school-leavers. It offers the promise of a career in a well-respected profession and doesn’t lead to the eye-watering levels of debt associated with a typical university education.
80% of AAT members that have completed an AAT accounting qualification agree that it has increased their earning potential.*
* – source – AAT’s salary survey 2021
You can complete this course in 18 months or less.
Unit 1 – Tax Processes for Businesses
This unit explores tax processes that influence the daily operations of businesses. It helps you develop skills in understanding, preparing, and submitting value-added tax (VAT) returns to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
You will gain the knowledge and skills to keep businesses compliant with laws and practices that apply to VAT and payroll. You will learn about legislation and the importance of maintaining technical knowledge by monitoring updates.
- Understand legislation requirements relating to VAT
- Calculate VAT
- Complete VAT returns
- Understand principles of payroll
- Report information within the organisation
Unit 2 – Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
You will gain the skills to produce statements of profit or loss, statements of financial position for sole traders, and partnerships using a trial balance. In your job, you may be required to prepare the final accounts and this unit will give you the theoretical knowledge needed to do this.
It will also allow you to understand how final accounts are produced, either manually or by using accounting software.
- Understand the accounting principles underlying final accounts preparation
- Understand the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping
- Implement procedures for the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets
- Prepare and record depreciation calculations
- Record period end adjustments
- Produce and extend the trial balance
- Produce financial statements for sole traders and partnerships
- Interpret financial statements using profitability ratios
- Prepare accounting records from incomplete information
Unit 3 – Management Accounting Techniques
You will learn about the role of management accounting and how organisations use this information to make decisions.
- Understand the purpose and use of management accounting within organisations
- Use techniques required for dealing with costs
- Attribute costs according to organisational requirements
- Investigate deviations from budgets
- Use spreadsheet techniques to provide management accounting information
- Use management accounting techniques to support short-term decision making
- Understand principles of cash management
Unit 4 – Business Awareness
You will gain an understanding of the business, its environment and its influence on an organisation’s structure. You will also learn the role of its accounting function and its performance.
- Understand business types, structures and governance, and the legal framework in which they operate
- Understand the impact of the external and internal environment on businesses, their performance and decisions
- Understand how businesses and accountants comply with principles of professional ethics
- Understand the impact of new technologies in accounting and the risks associated with data security
- Communicate information to stakeholders
You need to hold a Level 2 AAT Accountancy qualification or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification or have experience in Bookkeeping and Accounts. We can then advise you on possible exemptions. If you are not sure if level 3 is the correct starting point for you, try our AAT skills check.
A good understanding of the English language is essential.
Skills developed through this qualification could lead to employment as:
- an Accounts Assistant
- an Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor
- an Assistant Accountant
- an Audit Trainee
- a Credit Controller
- a Finance Assistant
- a Finance Officer
- a Payroll Supervisor
- a Senior Bookkeeper
- a Tax Assistant
AAT’s salary survey from 2021 suggested that the average level 3 student salary was £21,000.
Q: Is registration included?
Yes. As a special offer, we are including your Level 3 registration at no extra cost.
Q: Are assessment fees (exams) included?
Currently, these need to be completed at an approved AAT assessment centre of your choice. You would pay the test centre directly at the time of booking. We therefore do not include the cost of these with our courses.
Q: What is the average completion time for these courses?
Much depends on how easily you adapt or if you have any previous knowledge or experience. Our statistics show that our students take anything from 6 months to 18 months to complete this Level 3 course.
Ofqual suggest the Total Qualification Time equates to 620 hours.
Q: Can I start at Level 3?
If you have an equivalent Level 2 qualification or Accounting and Bookkeeping work experience then you should be OK to go straight into Level 3.
If you are unsure we recommend you try our AAT Skills Check. It takes 20 minutes and gives you an accurate test based on the required knowledge.
The four units in Level 3 are assessed by a Computer Based Assessment (CBA). You will complete these at an approved AAT assessment centre of your choice. Assessment fees are payable to the centre/venue and may incur an administration fee.
On completion of all units, you will get a Certificate from the AAT.
Assessment preparation
On our Blended and Blended Live course packages, you will encounter a series of online knowledge tests throughout the course. This includes End of course tests and Online exam simulation tests (Mock Assessments). Our specialist department will provide you with feedback advice and support, plus any additional lessons and tests you may need prior to taking an assessment.
Arranging an assessment:
There are over 200 external assessment venues available in the UK. To find your nearest venue go to AAT’s Assessment Venue Search.
When the time comes to take an assessment, you can choose from the list and contact them to arrange a suitable time and date.
Want more flexibility?
Our tutor support timeframes are deliberately generous and far exceed what most students need.
Most of our students finish well in advance of the course duration. But what happens if you do need a little longer?
This is where our course extension options come into play. We offer one-month, three-month, and six-month extensions so you can feel reassured by knowing that if you do need extra time you have that option.
Watch 3 of our videos – for free
Three free video examples – one for each level of study.
Whether you’re new to the subject or are studying at a higher level, these short, five-minute videos give you a flavour of what you can expect inside our e-learning platform.
Our videos perfectly supplement our award-winning study experience which is rooted in printed study manuals and award-winning tutor support.
Spread payments over 3 years
Our finance option is provided in partnership with Omni Capital. For your finance application to be considered you must meet the following criteria:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be employed for at least 16 hours per week or retired and in receipt of a private or company pension. Certain state benefit schemes may be considered.
- Be a permanent UK resident with a 3 year address history
- Have a good credit history with no late payments, debt relief orders or bankruptcies
- Have a valid email address and can access it
Please note that meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee finance acceptance.
If you want to enrol on a course and you have questions about your Omni Capital application or want to discuss other payment options please call us on 0800 594 2822.
Our new Blended Live study option includes live online exam revision sessions and an extra 52 hours of video content across levels 2, 3, and 4.
