Changing delivery to train the next generation of AAT accountants

With more young people choosing different routes after leaving school to continue their education, the amount of choice available is staggering. With the traditional college and university routes alongside apprenticeships and specific awarding bodies, it’s an exciting time for learning new skills.

Here we speak to Lead Accountancy Tutor, Niki Read, who recently passed her AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting with a Pass.

Niki said: "Achieving the Level 3 has enabled me to see it from a learners perspective. It's given me a sense of achievement and I can pass on my experiences to learners, signpost to great resources and offer enhanced support.

In my role, I lead on the AAT accountancy apprenticeships. With financial management at the heart of every business, it’s an attractive sector and even more now following the economic changes since coronavirus. This means employers are seeking a high level of work-readiness with accounting and finance skills."

Approved training provider

As an approved training provider with AAT (The Association of Accounting Technicians), Niki has been heavily involved in delivering apprenticeships at Level 2 and Level 3. The accountancy qualifications provide internationally recognised skills and cover practical, real-world accounting competencies.

Level 2 - Accounts / Finance Assistant - Apprenticeship Standard (view our information sheet)

This apprenticeship prepares you for junior and entry-level accounting roles. It delivers a solid foundation in finance administration, covering areas such as double-entry bookkeeping to basic costing principles and using accounting software.

Level 3 - Assistant Accountant - Apprenticeship Standard (view our information sheet)

In this apprenticeship, the disciplines are more complex including financial processes, advanced bookkeeping, final accounts and ethical practices for accountants. Level 3 provides a broader look at management accounting, exploring analytics, business planning and identifying trends. 

Niki continues: "As a result of completing the qualification, I've now become a qualified BookKeeper. The Standard provides more learning around knowledge, skills and behaviours, providing a more rounded approach to being in an accountancy job role. It blends the technical aspects with the behaviours needed in the workplace, making you a broader person and it has certainly given me more confidence." 

Why AAT?

AAT qualifications act as a badge of excellence to employers and colleagues. They are a highly respected sign of commitment and excellence in the finance industry, allowing both entry-level and experienced professionals to gain new skills, knowledge and behaviours to boost their careers.

The AAT can provide a fast track to chartered accountancy status upon successful completion of the advanced diploma. This means the progression opportunities are huge. With AAT on your CV, you are demonstrating a level of industry excellence that is recognised and sought after by employers across all industries.

PM Training have changed delivery to improve the next generation of accountants. We've moved from Frameworks to Standards, we're delivering an online model and the fact that Tutors are qualified in what they deliver means they can identify needs quickly and provide even more tailored support to learners and businesses.

It’s an exciting time for the next generation of accountants.