If you have no previous accounts experience or qualification, this is only a suggestion. It would be best to start at AAT level 2, level 3 is not a walk in the park as you will need to understand the basics of accounting and have some previous knowledge/exposure before taking on level 3. Level 3 expands on and go into depth and take on a lot more in that if you do not have been taught the basics you will struggle. I am doing level 3 at the moment and although I did not do level 2. I had other accounting papers and prior experience that was my tool to draw on to help with some of the things I am being taught.

There are students in my class that did level 2 AAT and is still finding it a challenge. So this is to just give you some idea that is requires a lot of the foundation to accounting to pass level 3. I am not say don't take in it on as there have been others that have and they have excel by putting hard work. I am just stating my point of view. HTH

Np, some of the topics cover at Level 3 are Extended Trial Balance, Control Accounts, Income Statement, Statement of Financial Position, Fix Asset Register, Depreciation, Double Entry Book-keeping (re-cap), Accural, Prepayments, Journals, Irrecoverable & Provision for Bad Debts etc etc etc etc there are more but I am little lazy to think at the moment >.
Let us know how it goes :), hope all goes well.

Hi,

If it was me I would go in at Level 2. I started at Level 3 and I had manual and computerised OCR qualifications and I found it tough going as I didn't have a job in an acounts office. You will need to know the basics first about bookkeeping before proceeding any further. I agree with KTC that a computerised qualification alongside a manual one is a must for getting a job, as Employers will expect you to know a computerised system, which is usually Sage or sometimes now its QB's there are a few others out there as well but they are the 2 most popular ones.

HTh

I also agree, if you have no prior knowledge , doing level 2 would be very beneficial as the debits and credits are the building blocks for the rest of the AAT.

You could do it on your own or with a distance learning provider and you will find it is alot quicker than doing it at college. 

Or as Shaun said, you can just buy the books yourself, go through them without sitting the exams, and then go on to level 3.  If you go to a training provier or college though you will have to sit the skills test to show that you are able to go on to level 3, if you havent taken any of the level 2 exams.

There are many ways of getting this knowledge, but i really do think you need to get it.

All the best.

I think the general response is:- If you are not going to start at level 2, at least use the study materials to give you a good idea of what you know and what you need to know. The BPP revision companion book is, as Shaun says, an excellent little book.

At eagle education we encourage as many people as possible to start at level 2 especially if customers have no or little experience of the double entry bookkeeping system. There are many people who have been working in accounts for years but actually have little understanding of the system as the computer does most of the work! So when there's no delete button avilable people can soon get the accounts in a right mess. As Nick said it forms the building blocks for the rest of the qualification. Level 2 is challenging for many even those who have been working in accountancy for years! Once you've grasped the system though it makes learning more enjoyable and motivating. I see many who start at level two accelerate past those who start at level three! Too many people struggle when they choose to start at level three (in my experience) and that includes some with A levels in accounts. There will be training providers that encourage customers to start at level three because customers mention the word experience or A levels. It's not the level it's the topic that people can find challenging. Also you need to consider the type of jobs you're applying for. If it's entry level jobs then a level 2 qualification will demonstrate you have the knowledge an employer is looking for. You have to think about what you want too. Are you studying to develop your knowledge and skills perhaps to improve services to clients or employers? If so then why skip out levels that really do make a difference? AAT is a great choice. Good luck with your decision :)

I just thought you were just one of those girls that never takes a breath between sentences Sonya lol.

Hello, just an update. I'm going into the college tomorrow and am sitting in on a lesson (level 3 I think). After the lesson I'm having a talk with the tutor and asking what she thinks will be the best for me. Thank you a lot for all the replies if I hadn't asked I would of gone straight into level 3 blindly and struggled all through the year. Hopefully they'll let me on the level 2 course :P