Yes, upon completing the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting and becoming a full member (MAAT or FMAAT), you can accurately refer to yourself as an "AAT-qualified accountant" or "AAT-qualified accounting technician". While "accountant" is not a legally protected term in the UK, using the AAT designation indicates recognized, professional competence.
We offer two types of licence: AAT Licensed Bookkeeper and AAT Licensed Accountant. The services you can provide depend on the licence you hold. Each service is categorised within one of four tiers based on risk level, with Tier 1 having the highest risk level and Tier 4 being the lowest risk.
Legally anyone can call themselves an 'accountant' – they don't need any qualifications, training or experience. ICAEW Chartered Accountants are trained professionals you can trust.
AAT bookkeeping membership (AATQB) gives you the recognition, resources, and opportunities to grow. AATQB membership provides the professional letters after your name, celebrating your achievement and signalling your expertise.
AAT professional members
If you want to provide self-employed bookkeeping or accountancy services to the public in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, you must hold a valid AAT licence and be supervised for anti-money laundering compliance.
7 jobs you can get with an AAT qualification
Professional qualification - qualify with an industry recognised Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). Expand your skillset to serve a wide range of accountancy aspects. Specialise in your area of interest with the choice of two optional units.
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification is not equivalent to a full-fledged bachelor's degree. However, it can be a stepping stone towards a degree in accounting or a related field. The AAT qualification is focused on providing practical skills and knowledge in the field of accounting.
In fact, anyone who does any type of accounting function - even someone without a degree - can call themselves an accountant. A certified public accountant (CPA), however, is someone who has earned a professional designation through a combination of education, experience and licensing.
Firstly, ACCA and ICAEW are ideal for those seeking comprehensive accounting knowledge and international recognition. On the other hand, CIMA is perfect for those interested in management accounting and strategic roles. Meanwhile, AAT is a great starting point for beginners, providing a solid foundation in accounting.
For example, to become a chartered accountant through ACA or ACCA, you must have studied for the qualification and have at least three years' work experience in a relevant role. It usually takes three to five years in total to become fully qualified.
A part-qualified ACA individual has likely completed some of the necessary exams or requirements but has not yet finished the entire program. They might be in the process of gaining the necessary experience or preparing for the remaining exams to obtain the full ACA qualification.
In summary: AAT level 2 is equivalent to GCSEs. AAT level 3 is equivalent to 2 A Levels. AAT level 4 is equivalent to a Professional Diploma Level.
Is AAT Recognised in the USA? Yes, AAT qualifies you for roles like accounts assistant or bookkeeper. Many employers value AAT for practical skills, opening doors to entry- and mid-level accounting jobs and providing a strong base for career growth in finance.
Having AAT on your CV is a powerful incentive for employers and recruiters to hire you, providing opportunities to work anywhere in the world. By studying in the UK, you'll have a huge choice of how and where you want to study through more than 550 AAT-approved training providers.
CPAs are licensed by their state's Board of Accountancy. Becoming a CPA requires passing a national exam and meeting other state requirements. All states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be licensed, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor's degree.
Junior Accountant
An entry-level accounting position, usually reporting to any of the higher level accounting positions, or in smaller companies, to the controller. They may or may not have a bachelor's degree, and their main responsibilities will usually include reconciling accounts and preparing preliminary reports.
Accountants who don't earn their CPA typically work in the private accounting field. This means that they work for a single company or organization in its internal finance department.
An AAT licence entitles members to call themselves an AAT Licensed Accountant or AAT Licensed Bookkeeper, depending on the types of service they've been approved to offer clients.
AAT Bookkeeping Level 2
After completing the course, you can expect to find entry-level jobs in bookkeeping or accounting. Income at this level is typically starter level, but with experience, it can rise significantly.
AAT Level 4 is a critical qualification for those looking to specialise in financial management or become chartered accountants.
AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting
Jobs in accounting are extremely diverse and deliver exciting career opportunities, and studying an AAT accounting qualification will ensure you have the skills and experience that employers need.
Professional - Level 4
It is the final AAT level, teaching you more complex accounting theory, and lets you choose two specialist subjects. You'll learn about budgeting, management accounting, preparing financial statements, accounting systems, and tax. Most people can complete this level in 12 to 18 months.
The AAT exams and assessments are not challenging, and most are computer-based with a robust pass rate. Entry and foundation level exams are easy to pass, but they become moderately complex as you progress to advanced level 3 professional level 4.