Adult Courses, Higher Education

Professional Accounting (Level 4 Diploma)

Course Overview

Fee disclaimer

All students pay £30 college membership fee.

On this course you may be eligible for a HE Loan, find out more

Course fees listed below are the maximum fee if paid.  Click here to find out more and if you are eligible for free or discounted courses.

Entry requirements

You will need to have completed the AAT Level 3 qualification at Merit grade. It is also desirable to have GCSE grade 4 in Maths and English, or alternatively, a skills test can be completed which would require a Level 2 or above outcome.

The professional diploma will suit you if you are already working in finance and would like a formal recognition of your study skills, or if you would like to go on to be an AAT full member (MAAT) or study chartered status.

Course information

Gain a recognised AAT qualification and improve your high-level accountancy skills.

This AAT Professional Accounting diploma enhances your skills further, covering complex accounting techniques and team leadership skills. On completion, you will have mastered the art of drafting financial statements, managing budgets and evaluating financial performance, while also having the opportunity to specialise in areas such as tax, auditing and credit control.

This qualification is studied one day a week over four academic terms and all units are assessed through practical computer-based assessments.

This qualification also includes a synoptic assessment, which draws on and tests your understanding of connections between different topics covered across the qualification. Students will have to apply for membership of AAT and purchase their study books.

Key topics

  • Drafting and interpreting limited company accounts
  • Preparing draft budgets and revising them as required by the business
  • Measuring performance and preparing performance reports
  • Reviewing the finance function, identify risks and make recommendations for improvements
  • Draft financial statements for limited companies
  • Management accounting: budgeting
  • Management accounting: decisions and control
  • Learn accounting systems and controls
  • Business tax
  • Personal tax
  • How you are assessed

    The qualification is awarded through a series of exams.

Select your campus option to apply

Dates Schedule Max. fee per year
Start: 06/01/2026
End: 31/03/2027
To be confirmed
£3137.00

What Can This Course Lead To

With relevant work experience, you can progress onto AAT full membership, using the letters MAAT after your name - this is internationally recognised as a mark of accounting excellence. You could also become your own boss as an AAT licensed member or you could progress onto chartered studies with an exemption from the first level of its professional qualification.

Jobs that you can progress to after completing this qualification include:

  • Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor
  • Assistant Financial Accountant
  • Commercial Analyst
  • Cost Accountant
  • Fixed Asset Accountant
  • Indirect Tax Manager
  • Payments and Billing Manager
  • Payroll Manager
  • Senior Bookkeeper
  • Senior Finance Officer
  • Senior Fund Accountant
  • Senior Insolvency Administrator
  • Tax Supervisor
  • VAT Accountant

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