Bookkeeping - AAT Level 1 Award

What the course is about

This is an accredited course designed to provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills to take the next steps into a Level 2 qualification. You will undertake an assessment in manual bookkeeping and gain a Level 1 Award but also study the principles of computerised bookkeeping throughout your course.  

Traditionally, bookkeepers kept paper records of business transactions. Today, a bookkeeper's tasks are diverse and highly sophisticated, requiring skilled knowledge. The introduction pathway is pitched at level 1 and is made up of 5 themes:

• Introduction to Bookkeeping
• Keep double entry records and prepare a trial balance
• Prepare reconciliations
• Introduction to computerised accounting
• Set up a computerised accounting system and process data

With regular attendance and home study, by the end of this course you will;

• Understand the basics of double entry bookkeeping
• Understand bookkeeping terms
• Recognise source documents and understand their purpose
• Understand the basics of VAT
• Understand the purpose of the trial balance and petty cash and bank reconciliations
• Use the journal
• Record transactions in a double entry bookkeeping system
• Prepare a trial balance
• Reconcile the petty cash balance
• Prepare a bank reconciliation statement
• Understand the basics of computerised accounting
• Understand accounting terms
• Set up a computerised accounting system
• Process transactions, sales, receipts and payments
• Reconcile the balance on the bank current account
• Generate reports

This course provides an introduction to the skills and underpinning knowledge of financial record keeping, giving you the necessary skills to record financial transactions in a double entry, manual, bookkeeping system, using commercially available computerised accounting software. 

Regular home study will be necessary to successfully complete this course. You will be supported to develop good study skills. Your tutor will also support you to improve your English and maths skills alongside your learning of your vocational subject. This will include assessing your current skills and planning learning activities related to your subject that are designed to develop your skills in these areas. To support this, you may undertake some e-learning modules, where appropriate, as homework.

Please note if you do not successfully complete the course within this academic year, you will not be able to repeat it at the subsidised fee.