AAT Level 3Diploma in Accounting (SCQF Level 7)

Similar to the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, the AAT Level 3 Diploma course also covers 4 units which include:

• Preparing Financial Statements
• Management Accounting Techniques
• Tax Processes for Businesses
• Business Awareness 

While AAT Level 2 is an introductory course into the accounting profession, AAT Level 3 further explores topics such as Management Accounting and Business Awareness, designed for mid-level accounting professionals looking to move into the next stage of their career.

Yes! Once you’ve completed the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, you can progress to the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting, the final stage of the AAT qualification pathway.

After finishing Level 4, you'll be eligible for full AAT membership (MAAT) and can also apply for fast-track entry to Chartered Accounting qualifications with bodies like ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW.

Many universities also accept AAT Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications as part of their entry requirements for accounting and finance degrees, making it a great route into higher education.

As an ICS Learn student, you'll always have the support you need to succeed. From the moment you enrol, you'll gain access to:

• Our all-in-one virtual learning platform, mystudyspace
• Access to all of your interactive online course materials
• Online Induction Programme, Live Induction Session and AI-led videos
• FREE online study planners 
• Personalised tutor support
• Access to our Resource Library, full of tools, tips and guidance
• Our friendly Student Services team to help you with non-academic questions

You'll also have lifetime access to our Career Hub, which offers you thousands of resources to help you impress employers, master critical business skills, and build your dream career. This includes:

• A CV and cover letter builder
• An interview simulator
• An elevator pitch builder
• Career and work psychology assessments
• In-depth industry and employer profiles
• 350+ employer films with practical advice from hiring managers
• 1000+ short courses, articles and videos on key career skills like negotiating a raise and leading a team

You can take a sneak peek at the Career Hub and sign up for free today.

There are no practical assessments or case studies involved in our AAT Level 3 courses.

Instead, you will be assessed on the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through the course through computer-based assessments, which are administered by AAT training providers via remote invigilation or in-person exams. 

You’ll be assessed for your AAT qualification through a series of computer-based assessments designed to test your understanding in practical, real-world scenarios. 

These exams are set and marked by AAT and take place either online via remote invigilation (depending on your course and/or location) or at an AAT exam centre near you.

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 accounting qualification, 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. 

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.

As an AAT-qualified Accounting Technician, your salary will depend on your level of qualification, experience, and job role, but AAT qualifications are known to significantly boost earning potential.

According to AAT’s latest salary survey (2023), the average salaries per level are as follows:

• AAT Level 2 (Foundation): £24,500
• AAT Level 3 (Advanced): £25,000
• AAT Level 4 (Professional): £26,000 
• Fully qualified AAT Accounting Technicians: Between £30,000 to £40,000+ 

With experience, many AAT members go on to become senior finance professionals, team leaders, or continue on to Chartered Accountant status, further increasing their earning potential.

Plus, if you join the AAT fast-track with a Chartered Accountancy body like ACCA or CIMA, you could earn even more as a Chartered Accountant. 

The AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting is completely flexible, fully online, and self-paced.

This means that there’s no minimum study time! You set the pace. You’ll have up to 18 months of tutor support for the AAT Level 3 Diploma, though many students complete the course in around 8 months on average.

We specialise in flexible, 100% online learning designed to fit around your life. Whether you're working full-time, caring for family, or just need more control over your studies, we give you the freedom to learn at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.

Here’s why thousands of students choose ICS Learn every year:

• 24/7 course access so you can study anytime, on any device
• Personalised tutor support from subject experts
• Flexible payment plans to spread the cost
• Trusted by students in over 100+ countries 
• Career-ready qualifications recognised by employers and universities

With ICS Learn, you’re in control of your education – and your future.

Enrol online or get in touch with our Course Advisors today! 

They’ll talk through your experience, education and ambitions to make sure you’re choosing the right course, then get you enrolled with a flexible payment plan.

You can also verify that your course is budget-friendly when you use our handy affordability calculator. 

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.