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Original poster

AAT level 2 is it worth it?

16 replies

NeedSleepNow · 03/09/2022 19:41

I currently work 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?

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. 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 off the qualification isn't going to help much. Thanks

OP posts:
Hill1991 · 13/09/2022 07:54

Bump

Im also looking at doing AAT level 2 and maybe 3&4 aswell but I'm looking at doing it online have you looked into it.

Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 13/09/2022 17:46

@Hill1991 As I didn't get any replies on this thread I also posted in the higher education section if the forum and had a few replies from people who have done the course before. There were some really useful replies so might be worth looking for the thread if you are thinking of doing it too.

In the end I have signed up for a level 2 course at my local college. I start later this week, just 1 day a week until June. I did look at doing it online but I managed to get it free at the college and I quite fancy getting out of the house and meeting people so for me online wasn't the best option.

OP posts:
goodnessidontknow · 13/09/2022 17:59

AAT level 2 is a great foundation for bookkeeping and as an introduction to accounting. I did it and then decided to go for chartered qualifications and after 20 years I now run my own practice from home 😃
Level 2 isn't too heavy as a workload but does give you a really practical base as an assistant so I would highly recommend it, good luck!

skyeisthelimit · 13/09/2022 18:19

sorry, I have only just seen this, but well done on signing up and I don't think you will regret it.

Level 2 is the most basic qualification and you would need Level 3 to then be able to become an AAT Licenced Bookkeeper. If you wanted to proceed to being an Accountant, and also want to work as Finance Manager etc then you would need Level 4. The AAT qualification is highly respected in a lot of finance roles.

I worked in general practice accountancy for over 20 years, and qualified as Level 4 AAT in my late 20's and when I was mid 30's after having my DD I left my job to run my own small bookkeeping and accountancy business.

I have over 100 clients now and work a lot of hours, but I was able to attend every school event that DD had as I could work around it.

I now work 100% from home since covid, but prior to 2020 I used to do a mix of onsite bookkeeping 2-3 days a week, with accountancy filling the other 2-3 days.

I have been a single parent since DD was 4, now 14, and its not easy, but gets easier as DD gets older.

Good luck with it. There are some great facebook groups for students so get joined up and you can get help with study and just get support from others in the same situation.

Iliveonahill · 13/09/2022 18:22

Definitely do it. I work in local government. We certainly recruit part qualified AAT staff. Great qualification and can lead onto Cipfa, Cima and Acca

wizbit93 · 13/09/2022 18:29

Sorry, I didn't see your earlier post. I have AAT level 4 and work as a finance manager in a school. I had already done a Pitmans in bookkeeping but did the level 2 anyway.
AAT is such a versatile qualification, it can lead to so many different roles. Good luck!

Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 13/09/2022 20:00

wizbit93 · 13/09/2022 18:29

Sorry, I didn't see your earlier post. I have AAT level 4 and work as a finance manager in a school. I had already done a Pitmans in bookkeeping but did the level 2 anyway.
AAT is such a versatile qualification, it can lead to so many different roles. Good luck!

Thanks @wizbit93 . Are there any particular training courses or other qualifications that you would say would be helpful for a school finance role?

OP posts:
Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 13/09/2022 20:06

Thanks all, your replies are all very encouraging. I only signed up last week and start the course in a couple of days time. I'm feeling rather nervous about going back to college but excited too. It seems like a massive step!

OP posts:
Surtsey · 13/09/2022 20:06

For day-to-day helping with school finance, and for any general accounts department jobs in industry, studying AAT level 2 useful. So is doing GCSE accounts, which is the first one I did.

wizbit93 · 13/09/2022 20:19

I would say just the AAT is fine. Once working in a school there should be plenty of opportunity to do relevant training for whichever packages you might use.

Hill1991 · 14/09/2022 00:48

@NeedSleepNow thank you will check it out you will have to keep us updated on how your getting on with the course, my circumstances are a little different as I work evenings and my ds is autistic so only can really study when he's at school.

Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 18/09/2022 14:26

I had my first day at college this week and it went well. It was a bit daunting but I think I will enjoy the course and it will hopefully open up a new career path for me 🙂

OP posts:
Emmav2020 · 06/09/2023 14:42

@NeedSleepNow Sorry to jump on this like a year later? how was your first year? i start mine in October.

one question though, ive worked doing basic accounts for 7 years but no qualifications but gained experience. using Sage 50. my local college wants me to start level 1, do you think all think i need to do this level or shall i ask to skip to level 2. thanks

Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 09/09/2023 21:42

I did the AAT level 2 certificate in accounting with no proper financial experience beforehand so I'm sure you'd be fine to go with the level 2. Which qualification are you looking to do, is it the bookkeeping or accounting (I didn't think there was a level 1 for accounting, just for bookkeeping, but I might be wrong).

I really enjoyed it, I did find it tough juggling work, the kids and study but I managed it and got a distinction in the end. I'm about to start my level 3, although I will be doing distance learning this time instead of attending college 1 day a week like last time. I would much prefer to do it at college but have increased my hours at work so can't, I made a great set of friends at college last year and most of them are staying on to do their level 3 this year.

OP posts:
Original poster
NeedSleepNow · 09/09/2023 21:55

@Emmav2020 sorry I meant to tag you in the last post so that you saw it but didn't and I don't know how to edit it!

OP posts:
Surtsey · 09/09/2023 22:17

@Emmav2020 Level 2 is the equivalent of a GCSE, if that helps.

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