Premier Training delivers award-winning AAT bookkeeping courses at Level 1, 2 and 3 entirely online. Study at your own pace with expert tutor support, excellent pass rates and a qualification recognised by employers across every sector.
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Pass PromiseAbout AAT bookkeeping courses
AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) bookkeeping courses are nationally recognised qualifications that teach the practical skills needed to work as a bookkeeper. Covering everything from double-entry bookkeeping and financial records to VAT and preparing financial statements, AAT bookkeeping qualifications are respected by employers across every industry and are ideal for anyone wanting a focused bookkeeping career.
AAT bookkeeping qualifications are awarded by the Association of Accounting Technicians and are recognised by employers across the UK. They are the most respected bookkeeping credentials available, trusted by accountancy practices and businesses alike.
Premier Training delivers all AAT bookkeeping courses via our award-winning MyPTA online platform. You can study at any time, from anywhere, fitting your learning around work, family and other commitments — with no requirement to attend a classroom.
Level 1 gives you a quick bookkeeping foundation. Level 2 builds core bookkeeping skills from scratch. Level 3 takes you to professional level — opening the door to employed and self-employed bookkeeping roles.
AAT bookkeeping qualifications
Premier Training offers all three AAT bookkeeping levels as flexible online distance learning courses. Each is delivered through our MyPTA platform with full tutor support, assignments and mock assessments included.
Q2022 • 1–3 months • No prior experience needed
Q2022 • 3–6 months • No prior experience needed
Q2022 • 9–15 months • Progression from Level 2
Q2022 qualification • 1–3 months study • No prior experience required
Who is it for?
The AAT Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping is a short, focused qualification that provides a solid introduction to bookkeeping. It is ideal for complete beginners who want to understand the basics before progressing to Level 2, or for anyone who needs a quick, recognised qualification to support a role that involves basic financial record-keeping.
No prior knowledge is required. The course covers the fundamental principles of bookkeeping in a single unit, making it accessible and achievable in just one to three months.
What you will be able to do
| Qualification | AAT Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping (Q2022) |
| Study time | 1–3 months (flexible pace) |
| Entry requirements | No prior experience needed |
| Assessment | Computer-based unit assessment (CBA) |
| Study method | 100% online via MyPTA |
| Progression | AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping |
Units studied
The single unit of the Level 1 Award covers the principles of bookkeeping: the accounting equation, double-entry theory, day books, sales and purchase ledgers, cash book, and the extraction of a trial balance.
Q2022 qualification • 3–6 months study • No prior experience required
Who is it for?
The AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping is the ideal starting point for anyone wanting to begin a bookkeeping career. It is designed for complete beginners, career changers moving into finance, and anyone in an admin or support role who wants a formal, nationally recognised bookkeeping qualification.
No prior bookkeeping knowledge is required. By the end of Level 2 you will have a solid grounding in double-entry bookkeeping and bookkeeping controls — the core skills used by bookkeepers every day.
What you will be able to do
| Qualification | AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping (Q2022) |
| Study time | 3–6 months (flexible pace) |
| Entry requirements | No prior bookkeeping experience needed |
| Assessment | Computer-based unit assessments (CBAs) |
| Study method | 100% online via MyPTA |
| Progression | AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping |
Units studied
Introduces the fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping: the accounting equation, ledger accounts, day books, sales and purchase ledgers, and the extraction of a trial balance.
Develops bookkeeping skills further — covering control accounts, bank reconciliation, the journal, correction of errors and the use of the extended trial balance.
Career outcomes
Bookkeeper
Maintaining financial records for a business
Accounts Assistant
Supporting day-to-day finance operations
Finance Assistant
Processing and recording financial transactions
Purchase Ledger Clerk
Managing supplier invoices and payments
Sales Ledger Clerk
Managing customer invoices and receipts
Accounts Payable Clerk
Processing and reconciling supplier accounts
Q2022 qualification • 9–15 months study • Progression from Level 2
Who is it for?
The AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping is for students who have completed Level 2 or who already have solid bookkeeping experience and want to develop higher-level skills. At Level 3 you move into preparing financial statements and understanding VAT and tax processes — the skills used by senior bookkeepers and practice bookkeepers every day.
By the end of Level 3 you will have the skills to prepare financial statements for sole traders and partnerships, handle VAT compliance and work independently as a bookkeeper — including self-employment.
What you will be able to do
| Qualification | AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping (Q2022) |
| Study time | 9–15 months (flexible pace) |
| Entry requirements | AAT Level 2 Bookkeeping or equivalent |
| Assessment | Computer-based unit assessments (CBAs) |
| Study method | 100% online via MyPTA |
| Progression | Self-employment • AAT Level 4 Accounting |
Units studied
Covers the preparation of financial statements for sole traders and partnerships, including the trial balance, period-end adjustments, income statement and statement of financial position.
Covers VAT principles and compliance, including completing VAT returns, different VAT schemes, VAT records and the implications of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for businesses.
Career outcomes
Senior Bookkeeper
Leading bookkeeping operations for a business
Self-employed Bookkeeper
Running your own bookkeeping practice
Practice Bookkeeper
Client bookkeeping work in an accountancy practice
VAT Administrator
Preparing and filing business VAT returns
Payroll Administrator
Processing payroll and statutory compliance
Assistant Accountant
Supporting accounts preparation in a finance team
Why choose Premier Training
Premier Training has been helping students achieve AAT qualifications for over 27 years. We are AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year 2024 and 2025 — recognised for exceptional teaching, outstanding student support and consistently excellent pass rates.
Winner of the AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025, plus Online College of the Year 2025. An independently verified recognition of the quality of our teaching and support.
Our AAT pass rates are consistently above the national average. We track performance at every stage and intervene early when students need extra support — so more of our students pass first time.
Every student gets a dedicated personal tutor who is a qualified accounting professional. Your tutor marks your assignments, answers your questions and provides personal feedback at every stage of your course.
Our award-winning MyPTA platform gives you 24/7 access to interactive study materials, video lessons, practice questions, mock assessments and tutor communication — all in one place, on any device.
We are so confident in our teaching that we offer a Pass Promise: if you do not pass an AAT assessment, we will support your resit at no additional cost. Study with confidence knowing we have you covered.
There are no fixed start dates and no rigid timetables. Enrol today and start immediately. Study at a pace that suits your work and personal commitments, with tutor support available whenever you need it.
Three numbers that sum up the Premier Training difference for AAT bookkeeping students.
Established in 1997, Premier Training has helped thousands of students gain AAT qualifications through expert distance learning. Our experience means we understand exactly what it takes to support students to pass.
Voted AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year in 2024 and 2025. This award is judged by the AAT itself based on student outcomes, pass rates, teaching quality and overall student experience.
Our Pass Promise means that if you do not pass an AAT assessment, we support your resit free of charge. No other provider matches our commitment to ensuring every student achieves their qualification.
Everything you need to pass
Every Premier Training AAT bookkeeping course includes a complete package of learning resources, support and assessment preparation. You will not need to purchase anything separately.
Alongside the individual level courses, Premier Training also offers:
Not sure which AAT bookkeeping level is right for you?
Free advice — no obligation
Our friendly team can advise you on the right bookkeeping course based on your existing knowledge and career goals. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat about your options — we’re here to help.
Get free advice →Career outcomes
AAT bookkeeping qualifications lead directly to real, well-paid bookkeeping careers — employed or self-employed. Here are the typical career paths at each level.
Salary ranges are indicative UK averages. Self-employed earnings vary widely by client base, location and experience.
Student reviews
Don’t just take our word for it. Here is what real Premier Training students say about studying AAT bookkeeping courses with us.
“I passed both my Level 2 units first time. The MyPTA platform is brilliant — the study materials are clear, the mock exams are realistic and my tutor always responded quickly whenever I had a question. I couldn’t recommend Premier Training highly enough.””
“I had zero bookkeeping knowledge before I started. The Level 2 course built my confidence from the ground up. The tutor-marked assignments were especially helpful — I could see exactly where I was going wrong and fix it before the real exam.””
“Studying online while working full time is hard, but Premier Training made it manageable. The flexible study approach meant I could study around my job. I now run my own bookkeeping practice and it’s directly because of my AAT qualification.””
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about studying AAT bookkeeping courses online with Premier Training.
AAT bookkeeping courses are nationally recognised qualifications awarded by the Association of Accounting Technicians. They are available at Level 1 (Award in Bookkeeping), Level 2 (Certificate in Bookkeeping) and Level 3 (Certificate in Bookkeeping). Premier Training delivers all three levels as flexible online distance learning courses, allowing you to study at your own pace with expert tutor support throughout.
If you are completely new to bookkeeping, the Level 1 Award gives you a quick foundation, but most beginners start directly at Level 2 — it covers all the fundamentals from scratch and requires no prior knowledge. If you have completed Level 2 or have solid bookkeeping experience, Level 3 is the natural next step. Contact us for free advice if you are unsure.
Study time varies depending on your pace and hours available each week. Typically: Level 1 takes 1–3 months, Level 2 takes 3–6 months, and Level 3 takes 9–15 months. Because Premier Training courses are fully flexible with no fixed timetable, you study at the pace that suits your work and personal commitments.
AAT bookkeeping courses (Level 1, 2 and 3) focus specifically on bookkeeping skills. AAT accounting courses (Level 2, 3 and 4) cover a broader range of skills including costing, management accounting, taxation and financial reporting, and lead to MAAT membership. Bookkeeping courses are ideal for those wanting a focused bookkeeping career or self-employment; accounting courses suit those targeting a broader finance career.
AAT assessments are computer-based. You can sit them at an AAT-approved assessment centre near you, or in many cases remotely via Premier Training’s remote assessment booking service. You sit each unit assessment when you feel ready after completing the relevant study and mock assessments.
Yes. The AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping gives you the skills to set up as a self-employed or freelance bookkeeper, offering bookkeeping, VAT and financial statement services to small businesses. Many Premier Training graduates go on to run their own successful bookkeeping practices.
After Level 2: Bookkeeper, Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant or Purchase Ledger Clerk. After Level 3: Senior Bookkeeper, Practice Bookkeeper, VAT Administrator or self-employed freelance bookkeeper. AAT bookkeeping qualifications are valued by employers across all sectors and by accountancy practices seeking qualified bookkeeping staff.
Get in touch
Our team of AAT specialists are available to help you choose the right bookkeeping course, answer questions about study methods and guide you through the enrolment process. There is no hard sell — just honest advice.
Message us on WhatsApp for a quick response
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Join thousands of students who have built successful bookkeeping careers with Premier Training. Enrol in minutes — start studying immediately.
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