Level 4 Q22 AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting (Standard Package)

The course is split into 10 units, with unit 10 being an additional revision unit for the synoptic assessment. Units 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 are mandatory units and you will then pick two specialist units from a selection of the remaining five:

Unit 1: Management accounting: budgeting

Learn how to prepare forecasts of income and expenditure, how to prepare budgets and report budgetary information to management and learn about the different ways you can demonstrate how budgeting can improve organisational performance.

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 2: Management accounting: decision and control

Explore the skills and techniques used in accounting when making decisions and managing accounts. Topics included are how to analyse costing techniques, calculate standard costing, analyse business information and evaluate a range of cost management techniques.

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: Financial statements of limited companies

Discover key aspects of financial statements, such as the reporting frameworks and ethical principles that underpin financial reporting and the key features of a published set of financial statements. This also includes how to draft statutory financial statements for a limited company and consolidated financial statements.

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 4: Business tax

Develop an understanding of how to complete tax returns for limited companies, sole traders and partnerships. Once you have completed this unit, you will be able to provide advice on the UK’s tax regime and advise business clients on tax reliefs, as well as prepare tax computations for sales.

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

Unit 5: Personal tax

Learn how to analyse the theories, principles and rules that underpin taxation systems, how to calculate a UK taxpayer’s total income, national insurance and income tax. This also includes the basics of inheritance tax.

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

Unit 6: External auditing

Discover how to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of auditing and the importance of professional ethics. This includes learning how to evaluate the audit entity’s system of internal control and audit procedures, and key aspects of the planning process and audit procedures.

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

Unit 7: Cash and treasury management

Understand the use of statistical techniques and financial information to prepare forecasts of cash receipts and payments, and the preparation of cash budgets. This includes learning how to evaluate the principles of cash management and the different ways of investing surplus funds within organisational policies.

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

Unit 8: Credit management

Learn how to analyse relevant legislation and contract law, critically analyse information from a variety of sources, evaluate a range of techniques to collect debts and critically evaluate credit control alongside organisational policies and procedures.

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

Unit 9: Accounting systems and controls (synoptic unit)

Explore the role and responsibilities of the accounting function in an organisation, and learn how to evaluate internal control systems and an organisation’s accounting system. After completing this unit, participants will be able to analyse recommendations made to improve an organisation’s accounting system.

Once you have completed this unit and Unit 10, participants will be ready to sit the synoptic exam.

Unit 10: Synoptic assessment preparation

This is an additional unit that has been created to prepare for the synoptic examination. This unit will recap all the key points learnt about in units 1, 2 and 3, which allows participants to revise appropriately for the synoptic examination until fully prepared.