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Original poster

Struggling with AAT

33 replies

solosunflower · 10/03/2023 22:09

I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm struggling to get my head around AAT level 2 bookkeeping! I know this is such a basic level, too.

OP posts:
Dragonsandcats · 10/03/2023 22:11

are you studying through your work? What support do they offer? Can anybody there help you? Is there a specific topic you’re struggling with. Don’t blame yourself, everyone struggles with new stuff.

percypal · 10/03/2023 22:13

YouTube is your friend!

Do you work in accountancy?

DEADCLIC really helps even if it doesn’t make sense to you just use the rules and eventually you’ll get there.

percypal · 10/03/2023 22:13

Happy to help on anything specific OP :)

Original poster
solosunflower · 10/03/2023 22:14

Thank you.

I'm self-studying whilst working full-time. The plan was to get level 2 under my belt, then hopefully secure an entry level position, and continue to progress through the levels.

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Original poster
solosunflower · 10/03/2023 22:16

Would you recommend any specific youtube channels, please?

I don't currently work in accountancy....I'd like to move into the arena :)

OP posts:
ToDoListAddict · 10/03/2023 22:19

I really struggled when I started AAT so don't be hard on yourself.
Do you use T accounts? (It's been like 15 years since I studied so not sure how they teach it now).
I just kept trying and it did click eventually. I felt so stupid at first because some other people on the course had done a bookkeeping course beforehand and were finding it so easy!

PicturesOfDogs · 10/03/2023 22:21

Open tuition were great when I was studying ACCA. I’ve just checked and it looks like they do AAT too.

They have lots of material, and access to YouTube videos

Believeitornot · 10/03/2023 22:22

What are you struggling with? (I’m a qualified accountant)

Paperexcelandpens · 10/03/2023 22:23

I'm an accountant so could help.

percypal · 10/03/2023 22:25

I think when you’re not using the theory day to day it will be harder but when you’re physically posting a journal in accountancy software to change a TB it makes much more sense.

I can’t remember any specific channels sorry but just search and you’ll definitely find some!

GMH1974 · 10/03/2023 22:30

I'm doing it too. I bought a lot of extra books to do more practice. There's practice stuff on the AAT's website too. PM me if you like if you want recommendations. Are you going to classes or doing any online modules? My course involves both. I'm very lucky to have an accountant friend who will explain stuff at length to me too. I've just managed to get a short term but full time accountancy job off the back of the level 2 course which I'm part way through.

Ilikealltings · 10/03/2023 22:36

How are you struggling? What specifically is it?

OverHereTryingToFigureItOut · 10/03/2023 23:39

It was years ago I did AAT but like you I wasn't working in accounts when I started it and found some of the concepts quite tricky to get my head around. But once I got an accounts assistant job it all made a lot more sense.
Happy to try and help if you want to give specific examples, but are you ok with T accounts and the PEARLS acronym? Once that has clicked you're halfway there.

Wardza · 07/10/2023 09:02

Hello!

I know it's a relatively old post, but I see it's been a few months and I would just like to find out how you are getting on? What helped you?

I've recently started AAT Level 2 myself (3 weeks ago) and I thought it was going to be easier :( some days I go throught the modules understanding but then comes the practice exercise and I blank out! I'm doing self study through a service provider and maybe it's not for me ? :(

😑

Original poster
solosunflower · 07/10/2023 11:54

Hello,

Unfortunately I'm not self-studying AAT at the moment. I'm currently on maternity leave. I thought (wrongly) that I'd have the time....I absolutely do not!

I think you need to already be working in that arena for the content to 'click'.

OP posts:
Anothernamechange3 · 07/10/2023 11:58

I did a short course of evening classes to get a city and guilds qualification in bookkeeping. It wasn’t expensive (just over £100) but the in person teaching gave me a solid understanding of the basics. Then I went straight onto AAT 3 after that. Could be worth considering after your maternity leave? I had no bookkeeping experience before that but am now Finance Officer for a charity and love my job.

Matildahoney · 07/10/2023 12:00

I started a level 2 when I wasn't working in accounts & really struggled with it, then I moved into finance & found it sunk in a lot easier. But if you're struggling to study level 2 while working full time you'll struggle even more with level 3 & 4 cos they step up massively again & you need the time.

Anothernamechange3 · 07/10/2023 12:00

I have just finished AAT 4 now, the whole thing has been a combination of self study and attending classes and I do think the in person teaching is well worth it. I got an additional student loan to pay for my level 3 tuition (I already have a university student loan). I don’t have to pay this back until I’m earning more so that could be something to consider as well.

VivX · 07/10/2023 20:33

Self-study is hard - and all the harder if you're not actually working in accounts.Do you know anyone who works in accounting in real life? It might help to talk through the basics with them face-to-face.

Wardza · 07/10/2023 20:36

Congratulations @solosunflower on yor maternity leave!! :)

Thank you @Anothernamechange3 for the tip, I will defo look into it, I just feel as I understand it and then turns out I don't? I have a degree in languages and been a SAHM for a while and started AAT thinking let's get a qualification to change careers and open some doors... I used to work as a PA and did my share of expenses and credit card conciliations but never worked in finance, I am looking or junior roles but I can't really find anything without experience/qualifications... will keep searching!

My plan for the moment being is to finish level 2 and hopefully get some cash in to help pay the mortgage :-l then possibly level 3... who knows :-D

Wardza · 07/10/2023 20:38

@VivX I don't unfortunately, is it worth getting a private tutor or something like that for a few hours you reckon? Do AAT private tutors even exist?

VivX · 07/10/2023 20:49

@Wardza I imagine there are private tutors for AAT but I didn't mean just for learning. I was thinking more from the point of view of having someone put things into perspective. Explain how what you're learning relates to the work place and may be go over a couple of things that you're struggling with.But really just for basic human encouragement.Although, on the learning front, have you done lots of worked examples? They're much more useful than ploughing through the (very dry) theory?

Anothernamechange3 · 09/10/2023 15:32

Yes if you’re a student member of AAT there’s some good resources on the life long learning portal, I find the green light tests useful (complete one then check the answers to understand where you went wrong)

Original poster
solosunflower · 15/10/2023 11:17

@Wardza
Hello.
How are you attempting to study? Are you studying with the books at home?
No that things have settled a bit with my DC, I'm looking to get back into this. Ideally, I think I need a night class. Problem is that I have no childcare for my DC.

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Original poster
solosunflower · 15/10/2023 11:18

I've been looking for assistant finance type role on indeed. Everything asks for AAT level 2 at least.

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