L1 Business Skills with Bookkeeping

A combined course providing two AAT qualifications, designed to help you gain skills which will improve your employment prospects. The course is suited to people who have little or no background in accounting and finance or who need a short refresher in basic business and finance skills. Self-employed people can also gain useful knowledge to understand and support the development of their enterprise. This course is a good introduction to the world of business and finance in the workplace. You will develop the relevant skills required in this area. It gives you a broad understanding of the world of work, alongside basic accounting techniques and principles.

As a student completing this qualification you will develop an understanding of the role of the bookkeeper, gaining a broader understanding of the business environment and the underpinning theory of assets, liabilities, profit, loss, cash, credit etc. You will learn the basics of being an Accountant in Business and Bookkeeping. You will also be introduced to, and develop skills, for double entry bookkeeping and the processing of transactions into the cash book in preparation for bank reconciliation. The subjects of anti-money laundering legislation and responsibilities are also covered. You will also benefit from learning basic accounting techniques and including single-entry bookkeeping. You will learn the basics of accounting in Business and the units include Preparing for Work, Using numbers in Business, Sales, and Purchases in Business. This will lead to two final assessments which covers the topics you have learned (Business Skills and Bookkeeping) for certification.

The course will consist of taught sessions focusing on different units that make up the qualification. At the end of the course, you will be assessed via a final computerised examination which will take place at the college. Exam fees are included in the course cost, but resit fees will be payable by you, except in the case of extenuating circumstances. To maximise success rates, exams will be scheduled by the tutor in negotiation with you. The level 1 qualification is a unit-based award that is built up of units and delivered and assessed at the college through taught sessions with written and spoken assessments. There are two endpoint exams which you will gain two nationally recognised AAT qualifications.

Whilst there are no specific entry requirements, it is expected that you will be working at an equivalent to Entry 3 Functional skills in English and Maths at least. English qualification certificates or an English and Maths assessment may be required to evidence this. Essential digital skills are desirable, although learners in need of support can access free essential digital skills courses alongside their AAT courses. Access to a computer (Windows or Mac) outside of class time is essential for homework completion. You will be expected to undertake a vocational initial assessment to make sure this is the right level course for you. You can chose to do this assessment during the introductory course you will be enrolled on before this course, but you will not be guaranteed a place until the assessment has been completed.

This course is the starting point into industry-recognised, AAT accredited qualifications. As a student on any AAT course, you will be registered with the association and can access resources to help with your onward career planning. The next step could be AAT level 2 accountancy, bookkeeping or level 2 certificate in computerised accounts. Leicester Adult Education are pleased to offer a free, impartial in-house careers service to support our learners in making decisions around their future career goals and choices. We have physical and digital resources available to support you and face to face careers appointments with our qualified and experienced adviser, all of which are easily accessed once enrolled.