What are Accounting Technicians?

Accounting Technicians work in accounting and finance alongside chartered accountants, in a wide range of jobs from accounts clerks to credit control officers to financial managers.

Accounting Technicians work in all sectors of the economy, in industry and commerce, accountancy practices and the public and voluntary sectors. Some are self-employed, offering their services to the general public.

About AAT

The AAT is the professional body for Accounting Technicians, with more than 100,000 Members and Students worldwide. Formed in 1980, it is sponsored by four of the major accountancy bodies in the UK:

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)

These organisations provide non-financial support and are represented on the AAT's Council. They offer fast-track entry or exemptions into their qualifications to AAT-qualified Students.

The AAT is unique in that it is the only professional accounting body to be accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), and is the only specialist awarding body for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Accounting. The AAT is also approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to provide Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Accounting.

Why choose an AAT qualification?

There are many organisations offering accounting qualifications. However, the AAT is the only professional membership body to offer an NVQ/SVQ in Accounting (also known as the AAT's Accounting Qualification).

Improve your prospects with a qualification that opens doors

As an AAT-qualified accounting technician you will have an internationally recognised and respected qualification that shows potential employers that you have been trained to a high standard. What's more, since the AAT's qualification is based on actually doing the work, they'll know that as well as the underpinning knowledge, you have the skills and practical experience not just to perform in an accounting role, but to excel in it.

The Education and Training Scheme

The AAT awards NVQs/SVQs in Accounting at Levels 2, 3 and 4. These three levels are also known as the Foundation, Intermediate and Technician Stages of the AAT's Education and Training Scheme. Approximately 69,000 Students throughout the world are currently registered on the Scheme.

The AAT Accounting Qualification

The AAT Accounting Qualification gives you the relevant and practical skills to do a wide range of accounting and finance jobs. The course is extremely flexible and is open to all, no matter what your age or previous experience.

Gain the AAT Accounting Qualification and you can apply for full membership of the AAT, allowing you to use the letters MAAT after your name. Decide to progress to chartered accountancy or study for a degree and you'll enjoy significant exemptions with CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA, ICAS or ACCA and many universities.

There are now two routes to the qualification: the NVQ/SVQ and the Diploma.

Both are competence-based, but the new Diploma pathway doesn't have the workplace evidence requirement that is key to the NVQ/SVQ route. The pathways both lead to the same recognised and respected overall qualification: you just need to choose which route is best for you.

Click here for more information on the NVQ/SVQ pathway and the Diploma pathway.

Click here for NVQ/SVQ AAT Accounting Scheme at a glance.

International Award in Accountancy Training (IAAT) - an alternative qualification

The International Award in Accountancy Training (IAAT) is based on the AAT Accounting Qualification's six mandatory exams from the NVQ/SVQ pathway and you will be awarded IAAT when these are successfully completed.

The IAAT is ideally suited to those who are not currently working in the field of finance and accounting as assessment of competence is through written examination only. Unlike the NVQ/SVQ pathway, the IAAT does not require students to prepare work based evidence of skills.

Those who are considering a career in Accounting, but who are not able to attend class room based training sessions, may also find the International Award in Accountancy Training (IAAT) an ideal Distance Learning study programme.

AAT NVQ 3 considered higher than A-grade A-level by UCAS (New Window) 

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