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The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has announced that a new suite of qualifications will come into effect on 1 September in a bid to ensure that accounting technicians have the skills they need for the changing profession.
The new Qualifications 2022 (Q2022) suite will include a new assessment platform aimed to improve student experience. The platform also includes “enhanced” features, including viewing task instructions and reference materials side by side, and the ability to highlight details.
According to the AAT’s research with over 500 businesses and employers globally, three new skills were identified as being essential for the accounting technicians of the future: analytical, advisory and the ability to use technology.
Technology, ethics, sustainability and communication have been embedded throughout the qualification. New business units are also being introduced to help students develop a better understanding of a technician’s role in the workplace, and take them through all aspects of preparing financial statements and applying management accounting techniques.
Other changes for Q2022 include the qualification names being changed from Access, Foundation, Advanced and Professional to Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4.
Three qualifications are being withdrawn – the current Access Award in Accounting Software, Foundation Award in Accounting Software and Foundation Diploma in Accounting and Business.
Additionally, synoptic assessments will be replaced by individual unit assessments, except for the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. Q2022 students will also now pay a one-off registration fee, rather than an annual membership fee.
Rachel Staples, AAT head of Qualifications, said: “As the business world continues to change rapidly, it’s vital that AAT students keep their knowledge up to date to ensure they can provide the right advice to their organisations and clients.
“They need to go beyond the numbers and develop analytic and advisory skills, as well as an understanding of how to apply new technology. That’s why we’ve worked closely with businesses and employers to ensure our new Qualifications 2022 suite continues to have the core fundamentals of bookkeeping and accounting at its heart.”
