AAT Level 2 - is it the right qualification?

[NeedSleepNow]

I posted the other day but in the wrong section so reposting here.

I'm currently working in a school doing general admin work and there is talk of me helping with some of the financial work eventually but I have a feeling nothing will materialise from it. I would really like to move into school finance and have been looking at AAT qualifications.

I was thinking of doing the level 2 as an evening course over a year. It will be tough juggling work and the kids (I'm a single Mum to 3 so don't have a lot of free time!) but think it is doable but I wonder whether the level 2 AAT qualification will actually help me. Have people found it opened up many opportunities for them or is that only once you get to level 3 or 4? Do you have to start at level 2 or is it possible to go straight in at level 3 with a bit of extra home study? Before working in a school I worked in a scientific field, I am good with figures, numbers and maths, love spreadsheets haha, have a BSc and MSc but have no direct finance experience.

My hope is that once I have some extra qualifications I could eventually get a finance assistant job in a school and then once I have enough experience I could get a finance manager role. Maybe I will need to move out of working in a school, it just fits in around the kids so well at the moment I don't feel ready to take that step career wise.

I'd be really grateful for info and advise from those that have completed AAT level 2 and/or higher levels. I need to do something to make a career for myself as I don't see scope for movement where I am now, but would hate to put in so much time, effort and money if the qualification isn't going to help much. Thanks

I haven't done AAT but I work in accounting and I do rate it as a qualification and a sign someone wants to learn and develop when I employ them. I work in industry though, not the education sector.

I recommend speak to the AAT tutor in your college. I would expect you can go straight in at level 3 but the tutor can advise based on your skills and background.

There is also a forum on the AAT website, worth searching and asking there for help. The skills assessment tool on the AAT website perhaps isnt worth bothering with as they will tend to push you down to a lower level than you need (after all, they want money for exam registrations and they want people to pass and continue so will tend to start them at an easy pace).

For school finance however, qualified by experience school is a huge positive and you are in an excellent position for that already. Search on Indeed for school bursary jobs and read the Person Spec of as many jobs as you can find. Figure out if the qualification is worth the investment.

Thank you @Popaholic , that's very helpful and good to hear the qualification is rated. I did look at the AAT skills assessment and it said I should start at level 2 but I'm now wondering if I could easily do that myself at home if I bought the books, paid for the exams and then go to college for level 3.

I was originally signed up for the level 2 locally to start later this year but the course was cancelled which had made me question If it is the right one for me (I signed up on a bit of a whim, knowing I needed to do something to further my career but not really certain what!)

I have done my AAT many years ago as a single mum. Although it wasn't easy to juggle everything somedays, it's definitely worth it and I'm glad I've done it.

I worked as a finance manager in a school in my previous role, and although I had other qualifications and many years of finance experience it was very hard to get through the door without a school experience, so you're already one step ahead there.

I'm now working with someone who's doing their AAT via apprenticeship. Is this something your school may be able to support you to do? Alternatively, if you want to stay in school would 'school bursar' or 'school business manager' (sorry can't recall what were they called exactly) qualifications be better for you?

Thanks so much for your reply. I don't think my school would be very supportive of me doing the course, I hash planned not to tell anyone! I think it would be seen almost as stepping on toes of those who do the finance roles there now as if it's saying I eventually want their roles.

I don't really know about what qualifications are needed for school bursar or school business manager roles. I will have a look and see what is it there.

I did my AAT years ago too, and have people on my team studying it. As you are not already working in accounts I would recommend you do level 2 and then seek a suitable entry level accounts role that will back you up when it comes to level 3.

The course is synoptic, which means you cannot just cram or rote learn a topic for a paper, an exam may ask a question at level 4 high you covered at level 2, exams test your knowledge retention across the previous modules.

Level 2 teaches you a lot of the basic bookkeeping entries, where the debits and credits go, basic computer entries such as Sage etc, the courses is modular, with each step building on your previous knowledge.

the level 3 will give you enough general bookkeeping knowledge to either get you into a role where they offer further study, or to get you a reasonable well paid job in a large service centre function.

but I do recommend you seek an accounting role as soon as possible so you can gain experience and build your knowledge.

kaplan.co.uk/study-methods/ondemand/aat-free-trial?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_La1gpr7-QIVTJ7tCh1cFATPEAAYASABEgJNTfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I would suggest that you sign up for this to see if yiu think L2 or L3 is pitched at the right level for you. You could start L3 immediately. They are moving from AQA 16 TO AQA22 at the moment, but the fundamentals won't change in papers like L2 ITBK.

Thank you that is very helpful. I have found another level 2 course locally so I am thinking of trying to enrol on that and will keep my eyes open for any suitable jobs to apply for.

Thank you, I will take a look

I have taken the plunge and have found a part time course at another local college and have signed up. I start next week!

Good luck. Is ITBK Intro to Bookkeeping your first paper?

Yes I think that is the first paper

It's a nice one to start with as you'll feel you've really achieved something when it clicks.

Hi im studying AAT i am progressing onto level 4 now been at it for 20 months.
I started off at level 2 and i suggest you do too, as level 3 is a massive step up and it will really help if you have the knowledge from level 2.
I also work in the finance side of the school and i really love it!!!
I also studied my AAT online, its a lot cheaper and easier to manage around kids. (ive got 2 and i work 45 hours a week- so defo doable!)
My aim to become bursar/ finance manager after I've got my level 4 however i also want to do the sbm course once my kids are little older just to really push for a higher wage.
Hope this helps let me know how you get on!

Thanks @Hk0302 ,i started my level 2 qualification at a local college one day a week and am just about to take my first exam. I have signed up to do level 3 with the college next year and am looking around for more finance oriented school jobs to apply for. I was also thinking that long term I would like to aim for a finance manager/bursar/school business manager role. I don't know much about the sbm qualifications, are they generally essential for a business manager role do you know?