Bookkeeping and accountancy courses

Jobs in bookkeeping and accounting are diverse and offer exciting career opportunities. Studying bookkeeping or accounting will ensure you have the skills and experience that employers are looking for.

There are three accounting qualifications, each of which takes 6–18 months to complete.

Level 2 Certificate in Accounting

Get a foundation in finance administration and core accounting skills, including double entry bookkeeping, basic costing, and sales and purchase ledgers.

6–12 months depending on study method. On-Demand is studied at your own pace and you could take anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months per unit. Live Online courses at Online Accountancy Training run over 8 weeks per unit with a 2–4-week break between each unit to sit your exam, depending on the time of year.

What it covers

Level 2 Units

Click to jump to Level 2 and find out more about what the course covers and each unit.

Level 3
Diploma in Accounting

Study this qualification to learn higher accounting techniques and disciplines.

6–12 months depending on study method. On-Demand is studied at your own pace and you could take anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months per unit. Live Online courses at Online Accountancy Training run over 6–12 weeks per unit with a 2–4-week break between each unit to sit your exam, depending on the time of year.

What it covers

Level 3 Units

Click to jump to Level 3 and find out more about what the course covers and each unit.

Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting

Study this qualification to master complex accounting tasks..

12–18 months depending on study method. On-Demand is studied at your own pace and you could take anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months per unit. Live Online courses at Online Accountancy Training run over 6–12 weeks per unit with a 2–4-week break between each unit to sit your exam, depending on the time of year.

What it covers

Level 4 Units

Click to jump to Level 4 and find out more about what the course covers and each unit.

Level 2 Certificate in Accounting

This course gives students a solid foundation in finance administration and core accounting skills, including double entry bookkeeping, basic costing and an understanding of purchase, sales and general ledgers. Students will also learn about accountancy-related business skills. You will be introduced to the four key themes embedded in the qualification: ethics, technology, communications and sustainability.

This is where most students will begin their bookkeeping or accounting studies.

If you are studying the complete Level 2 Certificate in Accounting this course will help give you the skills to pass your exams. This includes four separate units. If you prefer, you can study these units one at a time.

Live online evening classes with your tutor. Pass Level 2 in under 12 months. Price £1,399. Includes all four units.

Enrol now Enquire here

This unit provides students with an understanding of manual and digital bookkeeping systems, including the associated documents and processes. Students will learn the basic principles that underpin double entry bookkeeping systems.

Learning outcomes

Process transactions into the ledger accounts.
Understand how to set up bookkeeping systems.
Process customer transactions.
Process supplier transactions.
Process receipts and payments.

This unit can be studied on-demand or via live online evening classes with your tutor.

On-Demand Live Online

This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from studying Introduction to Bookkeeping and explores control accounts, journals and reconciliations. Students will develop the ability to prepare the value added tax (VAT) control accounts as well as the receivables and payables ledger accounts. They’ll use the journal to record a variety of transactions, including the correction errors. Students will be able to redraft the initial trial balance, following adjustments.

Learning outcomes

Produce trial balances.
Use control accounts.
Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book.
Use the journal.

This unit can be studied Live Online evening classes with your tutor.
On-Demand for this unit will be coming in 2026.

On-Demand (Coming Soon) Live Online

This unit gives students an introduction to the principles of basic costing and builds a solid foundation in the knowledge and skills required for more complex costing and management accounting tasks. Students will learn the importance of the costing system as a source of information that allows management to plan, make decisions and control costs.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 20%.

Learning outcomes

Use tools and techniques to support cost calculations.
Understand the cost recording system within an organisation.
Use cost recording techniques.
Provide information on actual and budgeted cost and income.

This unit can be studied Live Online evening classes with your tutor.
On-Demand for this unit will be coming in 2026.

On-Demand (Coming Soon) Live Online

This unit provides knowledge and understanding of key business concepts and their practical application in the external and internal environment in which students will work. Students will gain an understanding of the legal system and principles of contract law and an appreciation of the legal implications of setting up a business and the consequences this may have. This unit will also give an understanding of how organisations are structured and where the finance function fits.

Percentage contribution of this unit to the overall qualification grade: 30%.

Learning outcomes

Understand the importance of information to business operations.
Understand the principles of contract law.
Understand the external business environment.
Understand the key principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability.
Understand the impact of setting up different types of business entity.
Understand the finance function within an organisation.
Produce work in appropriate formats and communicate effectively.

This unit can be studied Live Online evening classes with your tutor.
On-Demand for this unit will be coming in 2026.

On-Demand (Coming Soon) Live Online

Still unsure? If you have a question before enrolling, just send us a message below — we’re happy to help.

What’s included in your on-demand course

Everything you need to pass first time

  • Step-by-step pre-recorded lessons
  • Downloadable notes
  • Practice questions after each lesson
  • Question bank
  • Two Marked Mock Exams
  • Tutor Email Support
  • 6 Months Access to the course
  • Progress at your own pace

What’s included in your live online classes

Everything you need to pass first time

  • Weekly Live Lessons
    Join your expert tutor (Kyle) every Wednesday evening for live, interactive lessons delivered via Zoom.
  • Small Class Sizes
    Ask questions, get clarification and learn alongside motivated adults.
  • Weekly Homework
    Build confidence with guided tasks and practice questions each week.
  • Two Fully Marked Mock Exams
    Receive personalised feedback to make sure you’re exam-ready.
  • Live Tutor Support
    And email support between classes — get unstuck quickly and stay on track.
  • 6 Months Access to Materials
    Rewatch lessons, revisit notes and continue practising at your own pace.

Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

This course covers a range of essential and higher-level accounting techniques and disciplines. Students will learn and develop skills needed for a range of financial processes, including maintaining cost accounting records, advanced bookkeeping and the preparation of financial reports and returns.

This is where students who have completed level 2 will continue their studies.

If you are studying the complete Level 3 Diploma in Accounting this course will help give you the skills to pass your exams.
If you prefer you can study these units one at a time.

Live Online evening classes with your tutor. All four units. Pass Level 3 in under 12 months. Price £1,699. Includes all four units. Coming soon.

This unit provides students with an understanding of the business, its environment and the influences that this has on an organisation’s structure, the role of its accounting function and its performance. Students will examine the purpose and types for businesses that exist and the rights and responsibilities of the key stakeholders, as well as gain an understanding of the importance of professional ethics and ethical management within the finance function.

Learning outcomes

Communicate information to stakeholders.
Understand business types, structure and governance and the legal framework in which they operate.
Understand the impact of the external and internal environments on business, their performance and decisions.
Understand how businesses and accounts comply with principles of professional ethics.
Understand the impact of new technologies in accounting and the risks associated with data security.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit provides students with the skills required to produce statements of profit or loss and statements for financial position for sole traders and partnerships, using a trial balance. Students will gain the double-entry bookkeeping skills needed to record financial transactions into an organisation’s accounts using a manual bookkeeping system.

Learning outcomes

Prepare accounting records from incomplete information.
Understand the accounting principles underlaying final accounts preparation.
Understand the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping.
Implement procedures for the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets.
Prepare and record depreciation calculations.
Record period end adjustments.
Produce and extend the trial balance.
Produce financial statements for sole traders and partnerships.
Interpret financial statements using profitability ratios.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the role of management accounting in an organisation, and how organisations use such information to aid decision making. Students will learn the principles that underpin management accounting methodology and techniques, how costs are handled in organisations and why organisations treat costs in different ways.

Learning outcomes

Understand principles of cash management.
Understand the purpose and use of management accounting within organisations.
Use techniques required for dealing with costs.
Attribute costs according to organisational requirements.
Investigate deviations from budgets.
Use spreadsheet techniques to provide management accounting information.
Use management accounting techniques to support short-term decision making.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit explores tax processes that influence the daily operations of businesses and is designed to develop students’ skills in understanding, preparing and submitting Value Added Tax (VAT) returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The unit provides students 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.

Learning outcomes

Report information within the organisation.
Understand legislation requirements relating to VAT.
Calculate VAT.
Review and verify VAT returns.
Understand principles of payroll.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

Still unsure? If you have a question before enrolling, just send us a message below — we’re happy to help.

Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting

This course covers complex accounting and finance topics and tasks leading to students becoming confident with a wide range of financial management skills and applications. Students will gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategies and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports.

This is where students who have completed level 3 will continue their studies.

If you are studying the complete Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting this course will help give you the skills to pass your exams. This includes five separate units. If you prefer you can study these units one at a time.

Live Online evening classes with your tutor. All five units. Pass Level 4 in under 18 months. Price £2,499. Includes all four units. See timetable below for dates.

This unit allows students to understand how the budgetary process is undertaken. Students will be able to construct budgets and then identify and report on both areas of success and on areas that should be of concern to key stakeholders. Students will also gain the skills required to critically evaluate organisational performance.

Learning outcomes

Analyse and report on business performance.
Understand and implement the organisational planning process.
Use internal processes to enhance operational control.
Use techniques to aid short-term and long-term decision making.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge for drafting the financial statements of single limited companies and consolidated financial statements for groups of companies. It ensures that students will have a proficient level of knowledge and understanding of international accounting standards, which will then be applied when drafting the financial statements. Students will also have a sound appreciation of the regulatory and conceptual frameworks that underpin the preparation of limited company financial statements.

Learning outcomes

Interpret financial statements using ratio analysis.
Understand the reporting frameworks that underpin financial reporting.
Draft statutory financial statements for limited companies.
Draft consolidated financial statements.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit teaches students to consider the role and responsibilities of the accounting function, including the needs of key stakeholders who use financial reports to make decisions. Students will review accounting systems to identify weaknesses and will make recommendations to mitigate identified weaknesses in future operations. Students will apply several analytical methods to evaluate the implications of any changes to operating procedures.

Learning outcomes

Recommend improvements to an organisation’s accounting systems.
Understand the role and responsibilities of the accounting function within an organisation.
Evaluate internal control systems.
Evaluate an organisation’s accounting system and underpinning procedures.
Understand the impact of technology on accounting systems.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit introduces students to UK taxation relevant to businesses. Students will understand how to compute business taxes for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. They will also be able to identify tax planning opportunities while understanding the importance of maintaining ethical standards.

Learning outcomes

Understand tax relief, tax planning opportunities and agent’s responsibilities in reporting taxation to HM Revenue & Customs.
Prepare tax computations for sole traders and partnerships.
Prepare tax computations for limited companies.
Prepare tax computations for the sale of capital assets by limited companies.
Understand administrative requirements of the UK’s tax regime.
Understand the tax implications of business disposals.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit provides students with the fundamental knowledge of the three most common taxes that affect taxpayers in the UK: Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax. With this knowledge students will be equipped to not only prepare the computational aspects of taxes, where appropriate, but also appreciate how taxpayers can legally minimise their overall taxation liability.

Learning outcomes

Understand the principles of Inheritance Tax.
Understand principles and rules that underpin taxation systems.
Calculate UK taxpayers’ total income.
Calculate Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) payable by UK taxpayers.
Calculate Capital Gains Tax payable by UK taxpayers.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit aims to give a wider understanding of the principles and concepts, including legal and professional rules of audit and assurance services. The unit will provide students with an awareness of the audit process from planning and risk assessment to the final completion and production of the audit report. Students will also get a practical perspective on audit and assurance, with an emphasis on the application of audit and assurance techniques to current systems.

Learning outcomes

Review and report findings.
Demonstrate an understanding of the audit and assurance framework.
Demonstrate the importance of professional ethics.
Evaluate the planning process for audit and assurance.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit focuses on the important of managing cash within organisations and covers the knowledge and skills to make informed decision on financing and investment in accordance with organisational policies and external regulations. Students will identify current and future cash transactions from a range of sources, learn how to eliminate non-cash items and use various techniques to prepare cash budgets.

Learning outcomes

Understand regulations and organisational policies that influence decisions in managing cash and finance.
Prepare forecasts for cash receipts and payments.
Prepare cash budgets and monitor cash flows.
Understand the importance of managing finance and liquidity.
Understand the way of raising finance and investing funds.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

This unit provides an understanding and application of the principles of effective credit control systems, including appropriate debt management systems. Students will be introduced to techniques that can be used to assess credit risks in line with policies, relevant legislation and ethical principles.

Learning outcomes

Understand different techniques available to collect debts.
Understand relevant legislation and contract law that impacts the credit control environment.
Understand how information is used to assess credit risk and grant credit in compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
Understand the organisation’s credit control processes for managing and collecting debts.

This unit will be available to be studied On-Demand or Live Online evening classes with your tutor. Coming soon.

Still unsure? If you have a question before enrolling, just send us a message below – we’re happy to help.

Why study with Kyle?

Learn from a working accountant who retrained as an adult

  • Whether you are learning on-demand or live online I am always there for you.

    “I retrained at 33, completed Levels 2–4 in 18 months and now work at an accountancy practice as well as teaching bookkeeping and accounting. Over 85% of the students I have taught pass their exams first time round. I know exactly what it feels like to study around work and family commitments. My goal is to make your accounting and bookkeeping studies as clear and as simple as I can, so that you can retrain in the world of accounting and finance with confidence.”
    Kyle Armstrong
    Your Tutor

Real students. Real results.

Here’s what learners say after studying with Kyle.

“Thank you for making my studies enjoyable and helping me pass all the exams.”
Lewis N
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“Thank you for putting up with all my many questions. Your explanations are so clear. You’re such a good tutor!”
Laura F
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“Thank you for being a great tutor!”
Dan K
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“If it wasn’t for you mate, I probably wouldn’t have passed my exams first time!! Nice one for all your help.”
Ray C
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Frequently Asked Questions

No. This course is designed for complete beginners. Everything is explained clearly, step by step, with no prior knowledge assumed.

Most students complete the ITBK unit in 8–12 weeks studying around 6–8 hours per week. You’ll have 6 months’ access, so you can move at a pace that suits you.

The exam fee is not included. You can find your local exam centre at  https://www.aat.org.uk/assessment-venues/search. This gives you flexibility to sit the assessment when you feel fully ready. We’ll guide you through exam booking and help you prepare with mock exams and tutor support.

No. Online Accountancy Training is an independent training provider specialising in bookkeeping and accounting courses designed to support students studying towards AAT qualifications.

You’ll have access to tutor email support, clear lesson explanations, practice questions, and two marked mock exams so you’re fully prepared before sitting the real assessment.

Yes. This course is designed for busy adults. You can study anytime, pause and replay lessons, and fit your learning around work and family life.

Still unsure? If you have a question before enrolling, just send us a message below – we’re happy to help.

READY TO START YOUR ACCOUNTING JOURNEY?

Choose your course option and join a supportive, flexible training programme led by a working accountant.

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