AAT bookkeeping qualifications provide training for a huge range of bookkeeping roles and are recognised by employers worldwide. They can prepare students to become an AAT bookkeeping member and also open up the opportunity to be your own boss.
We offer five short bookkeeping qualifications, which take from six weeks to six months to complete.
Students can start with any qualification depending on their existing skills and experience. If they already have some accounting experience, they should use AAT Skillcheck to find out which qualification is right for them.
Typical job roles vary according to the level of bookkeeping qualification undertaken – take a look at each qualification to find out more.
Access qualifications explained
A great introduction for young people into the world of finance.
AAT Access qualifications are entry-level qualifications and take just 6-12 weeks to complete. They’re ideal if you’re at the start of your career and are interested in numbers. Learn more about whether our Access qualifications are right for you, then find out more about each qualification below.
Access Award in Bookkeeping
How long it takes on average: 6–12 weeks, depending on the student and mode of study
Level 1
Access Award in Accounting Software
How long it takes on average: 6 weeks, depending on the student and mode of study
Level 1
Bookkeeping qualifications explained
Gain essential skills for a range of finance roles.
AAT bookkeeping qualifications take from six weeks to six months to complete and will give you the fundamental skills that underpin many roles in finance. See where each qualification can take you, then find out more about them below.
Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping
How long it takes on average: 12 weeks, depending on the student and mode of study
Level 2
Foundation Award in Accounting Software
How long it takes on average: 6 weeks, depending on the student and mode of study
Level 2
Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping
How long it takes on average: 6 months, depending on the student and mode of study
Level 3
This qualification can be used as a route to professional AAT bookkeeping member (AATQB) status.
What job will you discover?
Our access and bookkeeping qualifications help you gain essential skills and knowledge that can used in a variety of finance roles. But what’s it like to be a bookkeeper?
Once you complete the AAT Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping, you can apply to become an AAT bookkeeping member and use the letters AATQB after your name to demonstrate your knowledge.
Become self-employed: by studying AAT, you can progress to become an AAT licensed member and run your own accounting or bookkeeping practice.