This diploma will give you the opportunity to become a qualified bookkeeper with AAT, enabling you to work in a self-employed capacity, providing bookkeeping services to small businesses.
This diploma is designed for those who wish to work as a self-employed bookkeeper or gain employment as a senior bookkeeper. It could be a great stepping stone for your career!
Core Courses
Bookkeeping Transactions and Controls Part 1
In this course, you will learn the processes and procedures involved in manual bookkeeping. You will cover the double-entry system, the basics of VAT, checking invoices for accuracy, day books, general ledger, purchase and sales ledger, prompt payment discount, petty cash books, balancing ledger accounts, and more.
Bookkeeping Transactions and Controls Part 2
This course is ideal for those who wish to work as a Bookkeeper or Accounts Assistant. This intermediate bookkeeping course is suited to those who wish to further develop their bookkeeping skills and want to learn the correct methods and techniques to be able to confidently manage the financial records for businesses.
Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
This course provides you with the skills required to produce statements of profit or loss and statements of financial position for sole traders and partnerships using a trial balance. In employment, you may be required to prepare a portion of, or all, the final accounts, and this course will give you the theoretical knowledge needed to complete that task. It will also allow you to understand how final accounts have been produced, either manually or automatically through the use of accounting software.
Tax Processes for Businesses
This course explores tax processes that influence the daily operations of businesses and is designed to develop your skills in understanding, preparing, and submitting Value Added Tax (VAT) returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The course provides you with the knowledge and skills that are needed to keep businesses, employers, and clients compliant with the laws and practices that apply to VAT and payroll. Once you have achieved the AAT qualifications, you can apply for AAT bookkeeping membership, which offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your bookkeeping skills and expertise to employers, colleagues, and clients. You’ll gain professional recognition when you use the designatory letters AATQB after your name. And you can apply to
become self-employed and offer bookkeeping services.
AAT Exams
To gain the AAT Level 2 and 3 qualifications you
will need to sit the following exams:
• Introduction to Bookkeeping
• Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
• Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial
Statements
• Tax Processes for Businesses
Aims and Objectives
The Diploma in Bookkeeping with AAT will help you prepare for the AAT Level 3* Certificate in Bookkeeping qualification, which is a recognised industry standard that will boost your CV.
Career Path
This diploma develops skills and knowledge to an advanced level for anyone wishing to pursue a career in bookkeeping, either to gain employment in a bookkeeping role or to work as a freelance bookkeeper. As with all our training, this is a flexible diploma that
can be studied via a combination of methods: in one of our training centres or remotely from home or work. We’ll support you every step of the way with:
• Flexible training that fits around your commitments
• Support on hand from our friendly Learning Coaches
• Access to the online MyAAT student study support
centre
• Opportunity to gain a prestigious AAT Level 3
qualification
Pre-Requisites
You don’t need to have any specific experience or qualifications before starting this diploma programme. * Level 3 is the equivalent of Level 5 in Ireland and Level 6 in Scotland.
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“I studied the Fast Track Microsoft Skills Diploma and touch typing. Before my training with Pitman I was unemployed as I had been made redundant. Within 4 months of starting my training I got a job working as Receptionist/Admin for The Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre. I was successful in my application over other applicants due to the training I was doing and my boss was very impressed with the knowledge and skills I had learned with Pitman.
I was promoted to Operations manager within 6 months this was partly due to my knowledge base of Microsoft Office.
I thought the training I received with Pitman was second to none and would recommend your services to anyone. The service is excellent and the staff are very helpful and understanding. Thanks to the excellent service and training of Pitman I am now more confident and efficient at my job.”
NG – Fast Track Diploma
Marion had great knowledge. I benefited from the examples provided. Great that Marion encouraged discussion, as the hints and tips will help me in my work environment.
Natalie – Executive Assistant – Executive PA Seminar
“After 12 years working for an airline I decided to make a career change and started looking into various training companies. I selected Pitman Training based on their helpfulness and support.
I started studying in August of 2007 and initially signed up for Comptia’s A+ to ensure I was making the right choice. After completing this with the great help I got from John and Martin I then went on to study for my MCSA.
Before completing my course I started applying for a few jobs and was lucky to secure a position with BCF Technology as an IT support engineer. I have no doubt that taking this course had a lot to do with their decision.
Throughout my involvement with Pitman Training I received nothing but encouragement from all the staff and fellow students, which certainly made learning easier and more enjoyable. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending Pitman Training to anyone that asked and will be using them for any future training I may need to undergo.”
MM – IT Technical
Julie was able to convey the content of the course clearly and used lots of real life examples to demonstrate. As we were a small group she was able to detail the course to meet our own objectives. Very useful course with knowledgeable trainer. I have learnt skills which will be used immediately within the workplace and at home.
Cara – Assistant Accountant – Influencing Skills
“I started off with Pitman doing Microsoft Office 2007 specialist before progressing into Microsoft Office 2010 and attaining Microsoft Office Master status by sitting Microsoft exams at Expert Level in Word and Excel and standard level Outlook and PowerPoint.
To add to my knowledge I have just completed Pitman’s ‘Train the Trainer’ 3 day course and applied to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). With this training I have plans to increase the knowledge of Office within East Coast Mainline staff.
The skills and knowledge I gained, studying at Pitman Training, have made my job easier by using the advanced features in Microsoft Office to ‘correctly’ format and automate reports and simplify data collation. The ‘Train the Trainer’ course has provided me with increased confidence in dealing with people and situations and will allow me to improve working practice in the office by imparting my ‘Pitman gained’ Microsoft Office Knowledge to others. By raising the overall Office knowledge this should allow the depot to operate better with less time spent ‘trying’ to figure out bullet points and how to create graphs and more time spent doing the actual work.
You have an amazing team of staff at York Place, they are all a credit to you.
The flexibility of learning at Pitman Training is excellent given that you are able to study at Pitman Offices or distance learning at work or home to suit your personal circumstances.
I would thoroughly recommend Pitman Training whether you are looking to improve your situation by training to get a better job or improve your job security at your current location by improving your skills.”
KS – Microsoft Office
Excellent. Very approachable and knowledgeable. Made the subject interesting.
Angela – Assistant Facilities Manager – Excel
“I studied the Legal Secretarial Diploma with Pitman because I wanted to have some formal IT qualifications and was interested in finding work in the legal or property sector. Before taking the course I was doing housekeeping and cleaning work and I had decided I wanted to look for something with a more administrative focus.
I had used computers a lot before doing the diploma but I now feel like I have a much better and more organised understanding of programmes like Microsoft Word and Excel and I am confident enough to experiment with them.
I thought I could already type very well but I am so much faster now that I’ve done the Typaz and speed development courses.
I have just been offered a job as a Plans Officer with Registers of Scotland through the Pertemps agency. I wouldn’t have been able to apply for this job without my Pitman diploma.
I would definitely recommend Pitman to others, especially other graduates, because it gives you more confidence and more options. I liked being able to work at my own pace and the supervisors in the training room were really helpful with all my modules.”
HB – Legal Secretarial
Well delivered, friendly and approachable.
Claire – Property Services Assistant – Report Writing
I believe that the only reason I was granted an interview let alone being offered this position, is because I had enrolled for your course at Pitman Training, Edinburgh.
F C – Medical Secretary
Very good.
Laura – Project Co-ordinator – MS Project
The trainer was excellent and took time to make sure we all understood what we were doing.
Louise – Commercial Manager – Word
‘’Over the past two years we have used Pitman Training for a number of courses and the feedback has always been excellent.
I have personally been on two – Delegation Skills and Supervisory Skills, both proved to be well constructed, interactive and of great use not just in the workplace but as useful tools in general life.
One of our other teams have used their Project Management course to great effect. It was carried out by someone who has masses of experience in Project Management so gave a solid practical slant rather than a Trainer delivering a course.It would be fair to say that the two courses that I attended were the same.
On the whole I find them extremely professional, also great if you want a bespoke course.
I have over the years used a variety of companies and Pitman always seem to deliver exactly what you want.’’
Elma C——HR Administrator (Training)—–NHS Education for Scotland
I finished a Pitman Secretarial Diploma in 2008 and after one month working as a temp. I was lucky enough to be offered a permanent job as Clerical/Admin Assistant which is where I am still working now.
Learning to touch type at Pitman definitely helped to secure the job, and also having a certificate from all the units of the secretarial diploma which showed that I could use Microsoft Office programs competently.
I took the option to study from home as living in Perth , it meant I could fit in work around the kids school hours. Though I did enjoy going into Edinburgh occasionally to do Outlook, and Audio. The course was really straightforward, and the tests were an enjoyable challenge.
I love being able to touch type, and it will be useful for the rest of my life, in whatever job I do. I have even got my children started on the BBC’s cool typing lessons for kids, where singing animals encourage you, and I hope that they will be able to type by the time they are teenagers.
All the trainers at Pitman were really helpful, and always ready to explain things, when I phoned or emailed with questions.
GA – Secretarial Diploma
“I really enjoyed the Diploma which I am sure will improve my career prospects. I am looking forward to putting what I learned into practice.”
CC – Diploma
Very useful, customised experience, highly recommended.
Sam – Programme Officer – Project Management Principles
Julie was excellent, she has given me the tools and skills to go forward as a trainer and do it confidently.
Natalie – Business Travel Consultant – Train The Trainer
I am now confident in managing manipulative behaviour and also how to manage staff that just do their own thing.
Lorna – Senior Staff Nurse – Conflict Management
Very good, no improvements to suggest. Marion was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Joyce – Governance manager – Better Business Writing
The skills that I learnt on the course come up time and time again on a daily basis and I am sure that the diploma on my CV has ensured interviews for a number of job applications.
L B – PR Assistant
I am currently working in the city in London as a PA. It is lots of fun, however very hard work!
L P – Personal Assistant
I am now at the start of a great career in Networking, due mainly, to starting my MCSE course.
J M – Trainee Network Analyst
‘’I would like to say how much I enjoyed the above course yesterday. I have to say this ranked as one of the very best courses I have attended and I now have a more positive attitude towards meetings/minute taking. Please pass my thanks to the trainer.’’
L D
No Improvement required. Speed, clarity and technique ideal. The trainer was excellent!
Wendy – Receptionist – Meetings and Minutes
Our trainer was excellent, by bringing real life examples it makes it easier to put into context.
Lesley – Operational Risk Analyst – Meetings and Minutes
Excellent trainer. Knowledgeable with a very pleasant and helpful manner.
Julie – Manager – Outlook
“I just want to thank you and your staff for all the help you offered me while I was studying my Executive PA Diploma at Pitman in Glasgow.
Before doing my training with Pitman I had studied ACCA but did not have much work experience, by doing the course I gained valuable skills that are now helping me at my new job at one of the big accountancy firms.
What I liked best about the course was flexibility of the course, I was able to choose the time and hours I did the course. The staff were very helpful and I will not hesitate to recommend this course to any of my friends.
Thank you again for all your help.”
SK – Executive PA Diploma
Very good. I did a full semester in university on Project Management and this course taught me much more than I learned at university.
Rosemary – Wind Farm Developer – Project Management Principles
“The Executive PA course is by far the best course I have attended. Our Trainer was a fantastic tutor and really knew her subject, she was able to communicate parts of the course content with her own real life experiences. I have attended many courses in the past, some of which were quite boring but I must say the tutor had my full attention over the course of the two days.
The size of class was also perfect, which allowed everyone to have their say and share similar experiences. Overall all, it was a very enjoyable course and I would be keen to attend other relevant courses”
Michelle Anderson—–PA—–Airtricity
“I had been having trouble making the databases at work behave themselves but every problem that I had been having has been dealt with today.”
Access Level 2 A M——-Administration Co-ordinator
“I would just like to say thank you to yourself and all your staff for the wonderful training I received at Pitman Training!
I did the Microsoft Office Plus Diploma which took me through the whole Microsoft Office package and gave me a firm understanding in all the different areas such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. It even allowed me to take electives in different areas such as book-keeping which widened my skills and knowledge in areas I hadn’t looked at before.
I undertook the training whilst I was studying at University and the confidence and experience the courses gave me during my degree and also when going for job interviews was priceless. The job market is terribly competitive at the moment but with the training I received at Pitman I had that something extra that employers were looking for, and the ability to talk about the courses and my experience at Pitman Training.
In particular, I had an interview where they tested my skills in Microsoft Excel. If I had not done the course this would have been a very daunting experience, however, knowing what I had learnt from the Excel course within the Diploma I was very confident in my skills with Excel. I even managed to spot a mistake in their test which I pointed out to them and no other candidate in the past had spotted it!
Consequently I got offered the job as a consultant in a pensions company. However, I did not take this job as an even better job came along within risk management in the banking industry and so I will be starting this in September. I know that they use a lot of Excel and other Microsoft packages and so I am looking forward to being able to show my skills in these areas and it makes starting my new job a more exciting prospect as opposed to one which before I may have been slightly worried about.
Thank you again!”
IM – Microsoft Office Plus Diploma
The trainer was engaging with audience, friendly, approachable and covered content of course excellently.
Tracey – Employer Engagement Officer – Communication Skills
‘Couldn’t improve, one of the best courses I have ever attended.”
Susan K—–Director—-The PA Exchange
“I started doing a Secretarial Diploma at Pitman because I had been working in retail since graduating from university in 2008. I had pretty good admin skills but no qualifications and felt like I was stuck in a rut. Pitman was a perfect fit for me because I was working shifts at my job at Glasgow Science Centre and could come in whenever I was free.
At first I thought I was just going to be getting a qualification for skills I already had but I actually learned a lot more than I expected. Modules like Effective Business Communication were helpful and I did electives in Access and Introduction to Medical Secretary which was extremely helpful in getting my new job.
In May 2013, before I had even completed my diploma, I started my job as an Audio Typist for the NHS. I had been searching the NHS pages before I started my diploma and it took the help of Pitman to actually help me find a job. My typing and audio typing skills along with the medical terminology learned in Pitman have been essential in my progress within my job with my manager telling me she feels I have a career in the NHS ahead of me.
I just discovered today that I received a distinction for my diploma and am now thinking of where to move up within my new sector. Without Pitman, I don’t think I would have been able to get out of retail so I’m very happy to have chosen to take this course!”
EJ – Secretarial Diploma
“I studied the Accounting Technician Diploma with Pitman Training in Edinburgh. I decided to do this course, as I was just about to be made redundant, and decided that I wanted to gain some new skills to help me when applying for a new job. I was also thinking about starting my own company, and thought that finance studies would never go wrong.
A couple of months after redundancy, I got a temporary post at SAMH, and then applied and got my current post as the HRD (Human Resources & Development) Administrator. Although I hadn’t completed the course when I got my job, the skills I had learnt so far has helped me out in my new job, as I have to monitor budgets and make monthly reports to my boss.
I enjoy learning at Pitman. You learn at your own speed, which makes it all much easier. This is the second course I’ve done at Pitman, and would recommend it to anyone.”
LM – Accounting Technician Diploma
Marion was really good and helped me to understand what I was doing and extremely fun.
Fiona – Trainee Administrator – Assertiveness
Everything I wanted from the course and more, Marion was approachable, I felt comfortable and at ease.
Charlotte – Executive PA – Executive PA Seminar
I am really enjoying the challenge of my new career and appreciate all that Pitman Training did to make it possible.
J M – Medical Secretary
Enjoyed the Supervisory Skills course, picked up useful tips and methods on how to handle difficult situations.
Deborah – Finance Team Leader – Supervisory Skills
Very good pace, pitch and tone. Excellent subject knowledge which was explained clearly. Well structured, informative course pitched at the right pace in a relaxed environment.
Nick – Change Manager – Train The Trainer
“I studied the Microsoft Fast Track Diploma and the computer keyboard skills course two years ago. At the time I was completing my Open University degree, and panicking because I had to submit a properly- bound word-processed project, including diagrams taken from scientific journals and I barely knew how to switch the computer on! In my first session I was advised to undertake the introduction to Windows course first because I didn’t have even the very basics.
Having overcome that first hurdle, I really enjoyed the course. The supervisors were really helpful and patient, and never made me feel that I was being stupid, even when I was! I got a distinction for the diploma, and first class honours for the degree. I am now studying for an MSc at Edinburgh University, and I don’t know how I’d cope without the IT skills I gained through the diploma. Even though I’ve forgotten a lot of what I learned through lack of use, I feel I have so much more confidence to try things I would not have attempted before.
My typing speed will never set the world alight, but compared to my former two-fingered jabbing it’s brilliant. Even my teenage daughters have stopped laughing at my efforts!
Thanks to Pitman for a real confidence boost!”
GD – Fast Track Diploma
I was recently promoted to secretary to the Clinical Director at the Princess Royal Maternity in Glasgow. The job is varied, interesting and very well paid. I still have fond memories of my days at Pitman Training.
E L – Medical Secretary to the Clinical Director
” I would like to thank you for giving me this unique opportunity to change my life and get a good job as a bookkeeper.
To be honest, as a foreigner I was scared at hat the course would be too hard to study and understand but I decided to take this challenging opportunity and improve my skills.
The training materials were amazing. They were very well presented and easy to learn. However the greatest advantage was the Training Supervisors. At any point when you are stuck with the subject or do not understand the questions then all you have to do is ask and all the help you need is there for you.
After I completed just three of the modules I decided to look of a job as a part time bookkeeper and I was in seventh heaven when I was offered a job before I had even finished my course.
The knowledge I have received from Pitman has helped me to develop my skills and improve my financial situation.
I strongly believe that anyone with a bit of discipline, patience and effort can change their lives for the best with the help of Pitman Training.”
AKS – Accounting Technician Diploma
I would have no hesitation in recommending Pitman Training to anyone who has an interest in investing in their personal development
C N – Executive Assistant
I was wary of attending the course as this was new to me but I fitted in very well and had a great two days. Thank you.
Louise – Office Manager – Supervisory Skills
Julie related ‘real life’ situations which I could relate to.
Paul – Problem Manager – Communication Skills
Marion created a fun training environment and always encourages questions and opinions.
Jennifer – Insolvency Administrator – Report Writing
It took me a day to find a job after I left the course. The diploma taught me how to type well and use all the necessary computer programmes to the point where I am helping others at work with their queries about Excel and Access.
R G – PA to Consultant Cardiologist
’Not only was this an excellent learning experience, but also great fun. I picked up some great tips on how to command and hold the attention of a less than enthusiastic audience and I found the section on voice coaching extremely useful.
The course really helps develop confidence, particularly with regard to the advice on body language and stance and I would recommend that everyone who has to present to small or large audiences should attend.’’
Jacqui C—-HR Manager—-Citizens Advice
“I studied the Microsoft Fast Track Diploma. I had been working in a beauty salon for 5 years – I was a therapist and in January I gave up treatments and became the full time receptionist. I really wanted a Monday – Friday receptionist role in an office but because I didn’t have much IT experience I knew that I would find the job search difficult.
The Microsoft training gave me the skills that employers were looking for and I found that once I had the qualification on my CV I started getting selected for interviews. As well as learning new skills the course also helped to just refresh my memory on some things that I could already do.
I am now working in a new job which is the Monday – Friday role I wanted. My job title is Customer Service Assistant. This is a Front of House role which involves a lot of meeting and greeting and looking after all of the tenants in the building who we provide serviced offices for.
I enjoyed the training as it felt very relaxed and I liked that I could go at my own pace. I am so happy that I got this qualification for myself. I really believe that without my qualification I would be stuck in a job that I really wasn’t happy in for many more years!
Thank you Pitman training!”
JS – Fast Track Diploma
The course was catered specifically to spreadsheets I use in my daily business, so was invaluable, useful and relevant.
Jennifer – Examinations Administrator – Excel
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