AAT Level 2

[frog]

I'm looking at doing this course, I have done 2 City & Guilds certificates that the college will take in place of the foundation stage and part of this. In my research some people have said you *must* be in an accounts job to be able to complete this while others say it doesn't matter. I can get a few hours a week of unpaid low-level experience to run alongside the course but my actual job is admin. My question to Damsels who have done their AAT is how essential it is to have the experience at this level- would the unpaid bit be enough or is it a waste of time to take the course if I'm not in an accounts job? I've looked at the syllabus and tbh it doesn't seem too bad but theory and practice don't always match!

TIA

[Ladyluck]

Hi Frog,

Its been 5 years since I completed my AAT but I worked in an Admin role when I started doing the qualification. When I started my Level 3 I then got promoted.

I dont know if this has now changed.

Good luck with it!

[frog]

Thanks Ladyluck

[bisy backson]

hi frog,

i used to teach this, I would say if you have some business experience and awareness, and access to people you can ask for help you should be fine.

If you can get work experience in the relevant areas then that will help, but if the college is any good the lecturers should be able to provide enough support for someone who works in a related area.

good luck!

bbxx

[louise]

Hi Frog,

Its been 5 years since I completed my AAT but I worked in an Admin role when I started doing the qualification. When I started my Level 3 I then got promoted.

I dont know if this has now changed.

Good luck with it!

This was the same for me. To be honest for most of the technician level, I was working in an accounts role but only doing VAT returns and queries so not traditional accounts work (no double entrys / bank recs, balance sheet or P&L work) and didn't feel that it made it harder to grasp the concepts or pass the exams.

Good luck!

[frog]

Thanks very much for the replies!

TBH my main concern stems from my last bout at college (C&G Accounts) and we were told then that we needed to be in an accounts role as there was a project at the end of AAT level 2 that required experience of accounting software- I think they said you needed to be able to criticise it and suggest ways to improve it. I would much rather do level 2 without the experience if at all possible as getting the experience at my work is only possible on the day the course runs at college and so spending that day in the office means I would have to do the course 2 evenings a week which I would rather not do if possible as it's on top of work and home- I know people do this but just the thought of it makes me feel tired!