AAT Level 2Certificate in Accounting (SCQF Level 6)

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 your free AAT course guide.

You’ll sit 4 exams in total. You can choose to sit your exams via remote invigilation or at an AAT 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.

Please note that your exam fees and AAT registration fees are not included in your course cost. However, if you'd like to bundle your registration fee into your overall course cost, reach out to one of our course advisors today – they'll be happy to help! 

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

AAT's globally recognised qualifications provide a strong foundation for careers in bookkeeping, finance, and accountancy, making them highly valued by employers across industries.

With over 130,000 members and students worldwide, AAT supports individuals at all stages of their accounting careers. Many AAT graduates go on to become chartered accountants, progressing to further qualifications with bodies such as ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW.

If you're looking to advance your accounting career, our flexible, online AAT courses allow you to study at your own pace, on your own terms.

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 key principles and 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 4 Diploma 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 can talk through your experience and ambitions to make sure you’re choosing the right course! 

The AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting is roughly equivalent to GCSE-level study (grades 9–4 or A–C)* in the UK.

It’s considered an entry-level qualification in accounting and finance, making it ideal for beginners or those with little to no prior experience in the field. It provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to progress to the AAT Level 3 Diploma or begin working in a junior accounting or finance role.

An accountancy career has the potential 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 in Accounting, you'll be opening the door to hugely rewarding and respected career opportunities, learning the basic principles and key business concepts required to further your career.

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.

You don't need to wait until you've completed your AAT course to start reaping the benefits of studying AAT. Simply putting 'Studying towards AAT' on your CV can help you attract employers and stand out from the crowd.

After completing the AAT Level 2 Certificate, you'll be ready to take on entry-level finance roles such as:

• Accounts Administrator
• Accounts Assistant
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk
• Trainee Accounting Technician
• Trainee Finance Assistant

Once you've completed the next qualification, the AAT Level 3 Diploma, you can move into roles like:

• Accounts Assistant
• Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Assistant Accountant
• Audit Trainee
• Bookkeeper
• Credit Controller
• Finance Assistant
• Payroll Administrator
• Payroll Supervisor
• Practice Bookkeeper
• Tax Assistant

Once you've achieved the most advanced AAT training, the AAT Level 4 Diploma, you have an even bigger pool of career options. If you'd like the freedom of working for yourself, you could start your own accountancy practice or work as a freelance accountant.

You could also become a Chartered Accountant by joining an AAT fast-track with ACCA, CIMA, or one of the other UK Chartered Accountancy bodies.