Frequently asked questions
Please find below some frequently asked questions on employer related topics designed to help support the development of your organisation and your staff, whether they are existing AAT students or members, or are considering studying for one of our qualifications.
- What is the AAT?
- What qualifications does the AAT offer?
- How much does AAT training cost?
- Where is my nearest training centre?
- What level of the qualification should my employee begin on?
- Some of my staff members are studying the NVQ/SVQ or Diploma pathway. What is the difference between the pathways? Will this impact on my staff and my organisation?
- How will putting a member of my staff through an AAT qualification benefit my organisation?
- What funding is available to support the training of my AAT staff?
- What steps can I take as an employer to help my staff progress through their AAT training?
- How much should my organisation be paying an AAT trainee or a staff member who has completed their AAT studies?
- Will my staff be able to progress to chartered/certified accountancy after completing their AAT studies
- What is the difference between someone who is fully AAT qualified and an AAT full member?
- What are the benefits of my staff taking up full membership?
- How can I recruit for AAT trainees to join my organisation?
- How can I recruit AAT full members and people who are fully AAT qualified?
- What is AAT employer accreditation about?
- Who do I contact at the AAT for advice and support?
What is the AAT?
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a professional membership body sponsored by the UK's leading chartered accountancy bodies- CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA and ICAS- and has over 113,000 members worldwide working in thousands of companies and organisations of every size. To find out more about AAT, please click here
What qualifications does the AAT offer?
As well as the AAT Accounting Qualification, we also offer a Certificate in Payroll Administration (QCF) and AAT Level 2 Award in Bookkeeping (QCF). Our qualifications are widely respected in business and industry and are recognised in the UK and abroad as meeting high professional standards. Many employers, including the NHS, HMV, Procter and Gamble and KPMG have chosen AAT qualifications to help their employees develop their accounting and finance skills. Find out more about the qualifications that we offer
How much does AAT training cost?
The majority of costs are in the form of tuition fees which are payable directly to the chosen centre/college. These can vary considerably but as a rough estimate expect fees to be in the region of £400-£800 per level. It is necessary to contact the individual centres to check current fee levels.
In terms of fees payable directly to the AAT, new students will be required to pay a one off registration fee of £33, and all students will pay an annual membership fee of £72. Exam fees are also payable directly to AAT, and cost between £30 and £35.
Where is my nearest training centre?
We have over 400 training providers in the UK. To find your nearest centre, you can use our Find a training provider service. The qualification can be studied in a classroom environment or on a part-time or distance learning basis. Please contact your nearest training provider for more information.
What level of the qualification should my employee begin on?
You do not need previous qualifications to study for AAT qualifications. All we expect is that the student is numerate, can take examinations and skills tests in English and is prepared to commit time and hard work to complete their course.
What level is suitable to start on?
You do not need previous qualifications to study for AAT qualifications. All we expect is that the student is numerate, can take examinations and skills tests in English and is prepared to commit time and hard work to complete their course.
Although prior qualifications are not required, if your employee has previous relevant experience or qualifications, then they may be exempt from the introductory levels.
We recommend that once they find an appropriate college, the AAT Skillcheck is completed and taken to the chosen college to discuss which is their best entry level.
Some of my staff members are studying the NVQ/SVQ or Diploma pathway. What is the difference between the pathways? Will this impact on my staff and my organisation?
Prior to 1 July 2010, AAT offered two ways to study for the AAT Accounting Qualification, the National Vocational Qualification/Scottish Vocational Qualification and the Diploma. Each pathway was based on the same qualification content and leads to the same overall qualification at the end. The key difference is the assessment method. The NVQ/SVQ pathway is assessed by way of workplace evidence, whereas the Diploma pathway replaces workplace examples with work-based simulations to be taken in the college or training centre.
From 1 July 2010, the AAT Accounting Qualification is available within the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), and from 1 August within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) in Scotland. Students studying the NVQ/SVQ or Diploma pathways have until 30 June 2010 to complete their current level.
How will putting a member of my staff through an AAT qualification benefit my organisation?
Our qualifications are practical and skills based. From the first day of training, students learn techniques and processes that they can use at work. It's rewarding for your staff to be able to apply what they have learned so quickly and of course, it's excellent news for you as their employer.
As well as helping students to develop their technical abilities in accounting and finance, some of our qualifications also include modules designed to build communication and interpersonal skills. In this way, we can help your staff contribute even more effectively in the workplace.
What funding is available to support the training of my AAT staff?
Available across the UK the Apprenticeship scheme is aiming to create a new generation of skilled workers, with a focus on combining workplace training with off-the-job learning. Funding is available for both the Foundation (NVQ Level 2) and Intermediate (NVQ Level 3) of the AAT Accounting Qualification for existing staff and is now open to people of all ages. For more information please visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Depending on the needs of your organisation and the AAT qualifications your employees take, you may be able to secure funding to help meet the costs of training. The Foundation (NVQ Level 2) of the AAT Accounting Qualification is eligible for funding under Train to Gain, a service that is run across England by the Learning and Skills Council. For further information call 0870 900 6800 or visit www.traintogain.gov.uk
Funding information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Skills Development Scotland: call 0141 225 6710 or visit www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
DELLS (part of the Welsh Assembly Government): call 0845 606 6160 or visit www.new.wales.gov.uk
Department for Employment and Learning (part of the Northern Ireland Government): call 028 9025 7777 or visit www.delni.gov.uk
What steps can I take as an employer to help my staff progress through their AAT training?
Our records indicate that students are almost twice as likely to pass an exam if they are supported by their employer. You might choose to pay training centre fees for your staff, or pay for their AAT membership- or both. Paying for books, or offering a bonus or pay review upon completion of the AAT qualification are also excellent ways to help your staff succeed. Many organisations also find that allowing their staff paid leave to attend classes, to revise or to sit exams, boosts AAT pass rates. For additional help with formulating a training policy for AAT study click here
How much should my organisation be paying an AAT trainee or a staff member who has completed their AAT studies?
Please click here to view a salary survey which provides an indication of average salaries of AAT students and of those staff members who have completed their AAT qualification.
Will my staff be able to progress to chartered/certified accountancy after completing their AAT studies?
The AAT is sponsored by the UK's leading chartered accountancy bodies- CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA and ICAS and the AAT Accounting Qualification is an excellent route for staff wishing to progress to chartered accountancy training. All of the UK's chartered accountancy bodies grant exemptions in the first level of their professional training for people who have completed the AAT Accounting Qualification.
We also offer membership at a reduced fee for full members studying for further finance related qualifications. Please click here for more information.
What is the difference between someone who is fully AAT qualified and an AAT full member?
The AAT is a professional membership body and upon completion of the AAT Accounting Qualification students can apply to become full members of the AAT.
AAT full membership, denoted by the letters MAAT, offers professional status to reflect the skills they've gained and guarantees their commitment to maintaining and developing their competence. Those people who become MAATs commit to undertaking a cycle of continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure that they stay up to date and develop their skills to deal with new challenges. If you specify AAT full membership when recruiting new team members, you can be confident of employing credible, committed and effective professionals.
What are the benefits of my staff taking up full membership?
Your organisation's effectiveness depends on the capabilities of its staff. Every MAAT (AAT full member) has committed to undertaking the continuing professional development (CPD) they need to do their job effectively, and to develop their skills to deal with new challenges. Our CPD framework allows your staff to maintain the skills and knowledge they need to keep up to speed with changes in accountancy, finance and business. This will ensure that your organisation remains competitive, and offers you a tangible return on the time and resources you invest in supporting your staff.
How can I recruit for AAT trainees to join my organisation?
The AAT Trainee Recruitment Service is a free online recruitment service which allows employers to advertise vacancies for AAT trainees/ apprentices. Your vacancy will be viewed by up to 4000 candidates who are currently registered to use the service. Please click here for more information on this service, or feel free to contact us to set up an account. Alternatively your organisation can attend AAT local events in your area aimed at prospective students. Please email employer@aat.org.uk for more information.
How can I recruit AAT full members and people who are fully AAT qualified?
If you want to recruit fully qualified members of the AAT, you can advertise in the official monthly magazine of the AAT, Accounting Technician and on its website, or rent direct mailing lists for sectors of the AAT membership (subject to terms and conditions). Please get in touch with the Business Development team for more information.
What is AAT employer accreditation about?
AAT employer accreditation shows that you are serious about the professional development of your staff. The investment you make in your staff, and their professional development, to ensure that you have the skills that you need to be an effective organisation can be recognised by becoming an AAT Accredited Employer. The appraisal processes and staff development policies you have in place show the investment you are making and it is these that we check during the accreditation process.
The advantages of being an AAT Accredited Employer include;
- Full and fellow members will automatically meet their mandatory CPD requirements by following your internal systems
- AAT Accredited Employer logo to use on your website and stationery
- Exam results service to help you keep track of your students' progress
- Preferential booking onto AAT CPD master courses for all your staff members
- Regular updates to keep you informed on relevant new developments
You can apply for accreditation on the basis of being already accredited with Investors in People, or one of the chartered/certified accountancy bodies (e.g. ACCA, CIPFA). If you are not yet accredited with one of these bodies you can still apply for accreditation by submitting evidence to show you support your staff's development.
Full details on becoming an AAT Accredited Employer click here
Who do I contact at the AAT for advice and support?
The AAT's Business Development team is available to answer your employer related questions and provide any additional support that your organisation requires. We can be contacted by calling 0845 863 0795 or by emailing employer@aat.org.uk
We have also have two dedicated hotlines for students and members. If you have a prospective student who would like to know more about the qualification, such as which route of study would be most appropriate and for help finding a centre at which to study, please ask them to call the Student Recruitment team on 0845 863 0802. All current student and member enquiries should be directed tot the Student and Member Services team on 0845 863 0801.