Bookkeeping - Level 2 Certificate (AAT)
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Part-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End Date
15 September 2026
1 June 2027
Days
Tue
Time
18:00-21:30
Location
Ballymena
AAT is the UK’s leading professional body offering skills-based accountancy and finance qualifications. Their qualifications are practical, internationally recognised and can open doors in any industry across the world.
AAT is open to everyone – you don’t need previous qualifications or experience, and you can work at a pace that fits in with your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for your first job in accountancy, want to change careers, or simply want to enhance your existing accounting skills, AAT will give you the training you need.
AAT offers a range of benefits for students, including study support, topical news and updates, and exclusive discounts. AAT also offers an excellent route into chartered accountancy. If you choose to further your studies with one of the leading chartered professional bodies, such as ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA, your AAT qualification will give you generous exemptions. Your AAT qualification could also give you the opportunity to run your own accounting
or bookkeeping practice.
Find out more about AAT qualifications and courses.
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping provides an entry point for anyone wishing to start a career in accountancy or finance. It may also support career progression for those already in employment by formally recognising their skills in manual bookkeeping.
Manual bookkeeping underpins all accountancy and finance roles. Studying this qualification will help students to develop a strong foundation of bookkeeping knowledge and skills needed to work in accountancy and finance or to go on to study higher-level bookkeeping or accountancy. Students completing this qualification will be able to confidently carry out typical bookkeeping transactions and tasks. Students will also gain an understanding of how typical tasks are automated through use of accounting software.
A student completing this qualification will develop practical accountancy skills in the double-entry bookkeeping system and in using associated documents and processes. Students will be able to check transactions for accuracy, make entries in appropriate books and ledgers, and calculate sales invoices and credit notes. They will also cover more complex level bookkeeping procedures, including dealing with VAT, reconciliation and trial balances, and will develop their understanding of the relationship between the various accounting records.
This qualification is suitable for those already working in finance, those returning to work after a break or those wishing to change career. The qualification is open to those who are working and those who are not currently in employment. It also offers progression for students who have started studying accountancy and bookkeeping with AAT.
If you have less than 250 employees you may be eligible for funding for this course. Contact our Business Engagement Team.
Students will study 2 mandatory units, both of which are assessed by way of a computer based assessment and marked by AAT:
Achievement of this qualification can lead to jobs such as:
AAT does not set any entry requirements for this qualification. However, for the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and Maths. Accountants work at the very heart of a business and are expected to be able to communicate information clearly and appropriately to a given audience. Students should also have a basic level of IT skills and be confident in using computer systems. A prior understanding of recording some financial transactions would also be an advantage.
AAT recommends that students use AAT Skillcheck to ensure that they’re ready to start on a particular qualification.
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £402 | £310 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
AAT is the UK’s leading professional body offering skills-based accountancy and finance qualifications. Their qualifications are practical, internationally recognised and can open doors in any industry across the world.
AAT is open to everyone – you don’t need previous qualifications or experience, and you can work at a pace that fits in with your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for your first job in accountancy, want to change careers, or simply want to enhance your existing accounting skills, AAT will give you the training you need.
AAT offers a range of benefits for students, including study support, topical news and updates, and exclusive discounts. AAT also offers an excellent route into chartered accountancy. If you choose to further your studies with one of the leading chartered professional bodies, such as ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA, your AAT qualification will give you generous exemptions. Your AAT qualification could also give you the opportunity to run your own accounting
or bookkeeping practice.
Find out more about AAT qualifications and courses.
Students will study 2 mandatory units, both of which are assessed by way of a computer based assessment and marked by AAT:
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping provides an entry point for anyone wishing to start a career in accountancy or finance. It may also support career progression for those already in employment by formally recognising their skills in manual bookkeeping.
Manual bookkeeping underpins all accountancy and finance roles. Studying this qualification will help students to develop a strong foundation of bookkeeping knowledge and skills needed to work in accountancy and finance or to go on to study higher-level bookkeeping or accountancy. Students completing this qualification will be able to confidently carry out typical bookkeeping transactions and tasks. Students will also gain an understanding of how typical tasks are automated through use of accounting software.
A student completing this qualification will develop practical accountancy skills in the double-entry bookkeeping system and in using associated documents and processes. Students will be able to check transactions for accuracy, make entries in appropriate books and ledgers, and calculate sales invoices and credit notes. They will also cover more complex level bookkeeping procedures, including dealing with VAT, reconciliation and trial balances, and will develop their understanding of the relationship between the various accounting records.
This qualification is suitable for those already working in finance, those returning to work after a break or those wishing to change career. The qualification is open to those who are working and those who are not currently in employment. It also offers progression for students who have started studying accountancy and bookkeeping with AAT.
If you have less than 250 employees you may be eligible for funding for this course. Contact our Business Engagement Team.
Achievement of this qualification can lead to jobs such as:
AAT does not set any entry requirements for this qualification. However, for the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and Maths. Accountants work at the very heart of a business and are expected to be able to communicate information clearly and appropriately to a given audience. Students should also have a basic level of IT skills and be confident in using computer systems. A prior understanding of recording some financial transactions would also be an advantage.
AAT recommends that students use AAT Skillcheck to ensure that they’re ready to start on a particular qualification.
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £402 | £310 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk