AAT FOUNDATION - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

sally-anne · Veteran Member

AAT FOUNDATION

Rhianrach · Expert

No unfortunately, there are certain elements of the exam structure that need to be assessed by a learning provider so you have to study through one, which costs money but if you want to gain employment in this industry rather than being self-employed then it will be worth every penny.
IAB is a good place to start if you would like to self study without a provider, however I've yet to see a job advertised that asks for IAB qualifications but a great idea if going self employed.

sally-anne · Veteran Member

Hi Steve
Thanks for your reply, could i still do the AAT by myself, do the main units as an external canditate, then do the simulations in the workplace? yawn

Rhianrach · Expert

You know it's an interesting thought that, if you can find a learning provider that you can pay per unit, which I think BPP or Kaplan do, then I suppose yeah there doesn't appear to be a reason that you couldn't just pay for the units that require their assessment, but I would talk to the AAT about that, sound theory though.

As far as the simulations go then no as they no longer do simulations, the course has now changed and they do everything computer based, this can only be done at an approved centre and not at work anymore.

Best bet is to see about only paying for the units that require a learning provider to assess them and see if you can do the rest of your own back through a test centre.

I would be interested to know how that pans out.

sally-anne · Veteran Member

So if all the exams are computer based, wonder if you can learn the whole of the new AAT foundation on your own, then find your own centre as an external candidate. Do you think AAT would let me know if this is possible?

Rhianrach · Expert

Ask them yes, they told me it couldn't be done as a few of the units need assessing, but it's worth a try.

sally-anne · Veteran Member

Thanks for your answers. I want to do this qualification the cheaper way, i did enroll with Home Learning College, which was the biggest mistake of my life. The course cost £1600, which unfortunately i have too pay over the two years. I cannot do the course, the work books are really (and i mean really) full of errors, the tutor support is not existent. I feel totally conned out of money by them, and am working loads of overtime to clear off this debt, Home Learning College don't give a dam they got their money, hence the reason why i want to learn this on my own. Have tried to get my money back, because really they are breaking the law, selling faulty materials, but not had no luck.

Rhianrach · Expert

sally-anne wrote:

Thanks for your answers. I want to do this qualification the cheaper way, i did enroll with Home Learning College, which was the biggest mistake of my life. The course cost £1600, which unfortunately i have too pay over the two years. I cannot do the course, the work books are really (and i mean really) full of errors, the tutor support is not existent. I feel totally conned out of money by them, and am working loads of overtime to clear off this debt, Home Learning College don't give a dam they got their money, hence the reason why i want to learn this on my own. Have tried to get my money back, because really they are breaking the law, selling faulty materials, but not had no luck.

I agree not the best learning provider, sorry to hear you aren't getting the support, however places like premier training are good.

If the workbooks are flawed then it might be an idea to cut your losses and try and buy some new books off e-bay or amazon, I have the BPP books but to be honest I never used them for foundation so don't know how good they are, I bought them and they sat on my shelf all year.

margo · Member

Which of the units need assessments by a provider for AAT level 3 and what way is this done in practice for the new syllabus?

Rhianrach · Expert

Excel unit and I think indirect tax though I'm not sure it could be ethics smile

They are assessed through assignments I'm led to believe.

Call Premiere Training and ask about them or better still Kaplan or Bpp allow you to buy individual units, maybe they could help.

margo · Member

Thanks

Scotchpie · Veteran Member

On the subject of AAT Foundation, does anyone know what the "Working Effectively in Accounting and Finance" module is about.

It sounds a very vague title for a module and neither Kaplan nor Amazon currently have the book in stock - which begs the question, if you are about to start the course how are you meant to study it!

jerohm · Veteran Member

Hi, a book about "Working Effectively in Accounting and Finance" is available to view online for free. There is a sample assessment (and answers) too.

http://www.bookstorediscovery.com/discovery/urlResolver.do?id=9781905777273&pub=osborne

Scotchpie · Veteran Member

Thanks for that, I've only glanced through but it seems to be a mixture of everything not covered by the bookkeeping and management accounts/costing modules.

Theory of Management, Business Maths, etc.

jerohm · Veteran Member

Actually it is a sort of good pinciples traitee for bookkeepers. It is not too boring, I read it at once.

It is mostly about ethical rules.