AAT Level 2Certificate in Accounting

You should have a reasonable standard of English and Maths (eg. GCSE Level 4 or equivalent).

If English is your second language, we recommend you have an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, but we’re happy to review your case on an individual basis.

If you have a criminal record or have been made bankrupt, AAT might not accept you as a member making you unable to sit your exams. Please contact AAT directly for more advice.

Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Excel to complete the course.

This certificate in accounting is fully online. You'll study 4 units which will introduce you to basic accounting principles:

• Introduction to Bookkeeping
• Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
• Principles of Costing
• The Business Environment

For full details of what you’ll learn on each unit, download our AAT course guide.

You’ll sit 4 in-person, computer-based assessments at an AAT exam centre. Find an exam centre near you.

• Introduction to Bookkeeping (90 minutes)
• Principles of Bookkeeping Controls (90 minutes)
• Principles of Costing (90 minutes)
• The Business Environment (2 hours)

The exams will have a range of question types, from multiple choice to written responses. You’ll also complete online mock tests throughout your course to ensure you’re well-prepared for your exams.

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is the UK’s leading professional body offering skills-based accountancy and finance training, along with dedicated accounting courses.

It has over 124,000 members worldwide and their prestigious qualifications are internationally recognised and respected by employers. 

An AAT qualification is the perfect starting point for a lucrative career in finance and can set you on the path to starting your own accountancy practice or achieving Chartered Accountant status. Whether you're studying a certificate in accounting or a diploma, AAT qualifications are highly regarded by employers, making them a useful asset to have. 

If you’re not sure which AAT course to choose, we recommend taking the AAT Skillcheck. It’s a 30-minute online multiple-choice test that will suggest the right level for you based on your accounting knowledge.

The AAT Level 2 Certificate is perfect if you have no accounting experience or if you haven’t mastered essential skills like double-entry bookkeeping yet. Most students start at Level 2, even if they have some accounting experience.

The AAT Level 3 Diploma is for you if you have significant practical accounting experience and a firm grasp of all the topics covered at Level 2.

The AAT Level 4 Diploma could be ideal if you understand everything covered at Foundation and Advanced level and are fully competent in double-entry bookkeeping. Students rarely enrol directly onto the Level 4Diploma without completing Level 2/ Level 3 or a similar practical accounting qualification first.

If you plan on completing multiple levels, you can save money and transition smoothly by studying our Level 2 & Level 3 or Level 3 & Level 4 combined courses.

And if you'd like to become a bookkeeper rather than an accountant, one of our AAT Bookkeeping courses could be right for you. 

Before you enrol with us, our expert AAT advisors will talk through your experience and ambitions to ensure you’re choosing the perfect course. You can also verify that your course is budget friendly when you use our handy affordability calculator. 

We think our students say it best. They've rated us 4.7/5 from more than 10,000 independent Trustpilot reviews, giving us a rating of Excellent. Plus, we're the most experienced online learning provider - we've been in education for 130 years.

We're committed to helping everyone build a career that they're proud of, and a huge part of that involves giving people the freedom to shape their qualification around their lives. 

Our AAT Level 2 Certificate is the perfect accounting course for you if you have a full-time job, kids, an irregular working pattern, a busy schedule, or if you simply want to be in control of your learning.

From our self-paced course structure to our extended study periods to our unlimited tutor support, we give you the flexibility you need to achieve your certificate in accounting, no matter what life throws at you.

That’s why every year, we help thousands of AAT students like you get qualifications they need to succeed.

An accountancy career has the potential to to take you anywhere you want to go. Whether you want to work in TV, sport, fashion, or for a charity, every organisation in every sector needs qualified accountants. 

Finance professionals are in consistently high demand the world over, so when you choose to study an AAT Level 2 certificate, you'll be opening the door to hugely rewarding and respected career opportunities.

Want to start your own accounting practice or go freelance? Once you complete your AAT Level 4 Diploma, you can. 

Is becoming a Chartered Accountant your goal? Your AAT training can be a stepping stone to ACCA, CIMA, and other Chartered Accountancy qualifications, and will even allow you to skip certain modules - potentially getting you to Chartered status faster than the university route.

And if you've got your eyes set on the boardroom, more than half of FTSE 100 CEOs began their career in finance. 

Yes! You're not required to have any qualification or previous certificate in accounting or finance to enrol on the AAT Level 2 Certificate as this is an introductory course. 

However, you must be able to demonstrate a reasonable standard of English and Maths (eg. GCSE Level 4 or equivalent). If English his your second language, then an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is recommended.