AAT About

Association of Accounting Technicians

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is an established and well-respected professional membership body with over 100,000 students, full and fellow members worldwide.

The AAT was formed in 1980 by bringing together the membership of the Institute of Accounting Staff (IAS) and the Association of Technicians in Finance and Accounting (ATFA). The current sponsoring bodies of the AAT are CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA and ICAS.

While primarily known for its Accounting qualification, the AAT also offers accreditation in Payroll, Government Finance and Bookkeeping. In academic terms, the stages of these qualifications are equivalent to NVQ/SVQ levels 2 to 4. In addition to technical accounting skills, the AAT Accounting qualification is acknowledged to provide studiers with improved communication, time management and IT skills.

AAT students are traditionally ambitious younger personnel. For example, the AAT Accounting qualification is ideal if you are a GCSE or A level school leaver looking to further your financial career. As the qualification is based on undertaking actual work, you will gain relevant, practical accounting and finance skills as well as theory. In addition, a qualified AAT Accounting Technician enjoys exemption from the opening stages of CIMA, ACA and CIPFA qualifications. If you are a school leaver looking to return to university to study an accounting or finance related degree, many UK universities now offer exemptions for successful AAT studiers.

The AAT Education and Training scheme consists of three levels called the Foundation (NVQ in Accounting level 2), Intermediate (NVQ level 3) and the Technician stage (NVQ level 4). Each level represents a qualification in its own right and you will receive a certificate for each level achieved. Upon completion, you will be a certified Accounting Technician.

Should you choose the alternative route of study - the AAT Diploma in Accounting - you will only have to pass the formal examinations. However, you will not be designated an Accounting Technician until you have completed three years of relevant work experience.

In order to become a Member of the AAT (MAAT), you will need to be accredited at all three stages - Foundation, Intermediate and Technician - gain one year’s relevant experience and apply for membership of the association.

Many AAT student members receive some form of support from their employers, and in addition some employers also run incentive schemes, rewarding staff for success in their studies.

Contact details
AAT - Association of Accounting Technicians
140 Aldersgate Street
London EC1A 4HY

Tel: 020 7397 3000
Fax: 020 7397 3009
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: http://www.aat.org.uk