AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting - Level 4
Overview
AAT accountancy courses are designed to teach you practical skills that you can transfer directly to your workplace or aid your career progression. In this qualification you will cover higher accounting tasks including drafting financial statements, managing budgets and evaluating financial performance, as well as optional specialist units including business tax, personal tax, external auditing, credit management, and cash and treasury management.
An AAT qualification offers you a professional status that reflects the skills you’ve worked so hard to gain. So when employers see the letters MAAT after your name, they’ll know they’re dealing with a credible, up-to-date professional.
As a member of the AAT, you’ll have the support of the largest professional body for accounting technicians worldwide.
For further information on the AAT courses and qualifications, click here.
Start dates and fees
The course has multiple start dates throughout the year, please get in touch for further information.
We offer daytime and evening classes.
- Monday daytime 9.30am-3.30pm
OR
- Monday and Tuesday evenings 6-9pm
On top of the course fees, you will also be required to join the AAT professional body, which may incur a charge.
The course fee can either be paid in full or in four instalments.
If you wish to pay in instalments, you will be required to pay 25% (£643.25) of the total fee on the day of enrolment and a Direct Debit mandate would then need to be completed to enable the college to collect a further three payments of £643.25 bi-monthly. The payments will be taken on the date you choose on the Direct Debit mandate form.
Please contact the college’s finance department for further details on 0808 100 3626.
| Start Date | Code | Annual Fee (Age) | Actions |
| over 19 |
| 31/07/2025 | 1760A901 | £2573.00 | Apply |
| 09/09/2025 | 1760A101 | £2573.00 | Apply |
What will I study?
Applied Management Accounting
- Understand and implement the organisational planning process
- Use internal processes to enhance operational control
- Use techniques to aid short-term and long-term decision making
- Analyse and report on business performance
Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements
- Understand the reporting frameworks that underpin financial reporting
- Draft statutory financial statements for limited companies
- Draft consolidated financial statements
- Interpret financial statements using ratio analysis
Internal Accounting Systems and Controls
- Understands the role and responsibilities of the accounting function within an organisation
- Evaluate internal control systems
- Evaluate an organisation’s accounting system and underpinning procedures
- Understand the impact of technology on accounting systems
- Recommend improvements to an organisation’s accounting system
Personal Tax
- Understand principles and roles that underpin taxation systems
- Calculate UK taxpayers’ total income
- Calculate income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) payable to UK taxpayers
- Calculate capital gains tax payable by UK taxpayers
- Understand the principles of inheritance tax
Credit and Debt Management
- Understand relevant legislation and contract law that impacts the credit control environment
- Understand how information is used to assess credit risk and grant credit in compliance with organisational policies and procedures
- Understand the organisation’s credit control processes for managing and collecting debts
- Understand different techniques available to collect debts
Entry requirements
- An AAT Level 3 qualification in accounts or a degree in accounting.
- This course is for learners aged 19+ only. If you are aged16-18 and wishing to pursue a career in accounting, please consider a level 2 business course or an apprenticeship.
How long is the course?
15 months.
What does the course lead to?
Full membership of the AAT and entry for ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA qualifications is possible upon completion of the full qualification.
What can I progress onto?
Full membership of the AAT and entry for ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA qualifications.
Career opportunities