COURSE INFORMATION

The Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping develops existing skills and knowledge to an advanced level for anyone wishing to pursue a career in bookkeeping. 


This qualification offers progression if you already have bookkeeping knowledge. You may either gain employment in a bookkeeping role or progress to further study. 
This qualification is suitable for you if you have completed the Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping course. This course may also help you if you are already working in a bookkeeping role, as you will progress by having formal recognition of your skills.

The purpose of the Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping is to ensure that students have the advanced bookkeeping skills necessary to work in a bookkeeping role or to progress to higher level accountancy. 

 
This qualification comprises two mandatory units (210 guided learning hours in total):
  • Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
  • Tax Processes for Businesses
You will develop the skills needed for financial processes including:
  • Accounting principles and concepts
  • Advanced bookkeeping 
  • Preparing financial statements

You will also understand business issues regarding payroll and value added tax.
  • Up to one year. 
  • This qualification is achievable in a shorter timeframe of around six months.

Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements - 

  • This unit provides you with the skills required to produce statements of profit or loss and statements of financial position for sole traders and partnerships using a trial balance. 
  • In employment, you may be required to prepare a portion of, or all, the final accounts and this unit will give you the theoretical knowledge needed to complete that task. 
  • It will also allow you to understand how final accounts have been produced, either manually or automatically through use of accounting software. 
  • You will gain the double-entry bookkeeping skills required to record financial transactions into an organisation’s accounts using a manual bookkeeping system. You will take this forward to carry out adjustments, ensuring that the accounts conform to the accruals basis of accounting. 
  • You will understand depreciation, where the loss of value of a non-current asset during a period is reflected in the profit figure for that period. 
  • You will also learn to account for allowances for doubtful receivables where account is taken of the likelihood that not all credit customers will pay in full. These adjustments are regularly carried out by employers to ensure accounts give a more accurate view of both the profitability and the financial stability of the organisation. 
 
Tax Processes for Businesses - 
  • This unit explores tax processes that influence the daily operations of businesses and is designed to.
  • Develop your skills in understanding, preparing, and submitting Value Added Tax (VAT) returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 
  • The unit provides you with the knowledge and skills that are needed to keep businesses, employers and clients compliant with laws and practices that apply to VAT and payroll. 
  • You will learn about legislation and the importance of maintaining your technical knowledge through monitoring updates. 
  • AAT Certificate in Accounting Level 6. 
  • AAT Level 2 in Bookkeeping. 
  • Higher accounting. 
  • Work experience will be considered.
  • Once completing this qualification, you may wish to go on and complete the Level 3 Diploma in Accounting. 
  • If you wish to continue studying and choose to complete one of the full AAT Accounting Qualifications, your achievement/s in this qualification may be transferred to the larger qualifications.

The bookkeeping skills developed by studying this qualification will enable a student to seek employment with confidence and/or to progress to the next level of learning. The skills developed while studying this qualification could lead to employment as: 

  • Professional Bookkeeper 
  • Senior Bookkeeper 
  • Accounts Manager 
  • Ledger Manager
  • Applications are open all year round and you will be contacted by one of the lecturers to discuss your application.