AAT Level 4Diploma in Professional Accounting

Few students begin AAT at Level 4 without studying at Level 2/Level 3 or a similar practical accounting qualification first. Students must be fully competent in double-entry bookkeeping.

You should be over 19 and have a reasonable standard of English and Maths and an AAT Level 3 related qualification and/or at least 12 months experience in the accountancy profession.

If English is your second language, we recommend you have an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, but we're happy to review your case on an individual basis.

Students must also have access to Microsoft Word and Excel to complete the course.

If you have a criminal record or have been made bankrupt, AAT might not accept you as a member, making you unable to sit your exams. If this applies to you, please contact AAT directly for advice.

Your course is fully online. You'll study all 3 core units, plus your choice of 2 optional units. 

As this course involves in-person exams, you should locate your nearest AAT exam centre using the venue finder tool before enrolling.

Your course is fully online. You'll study all 3 core units, plus your choice of 2 optional units. 

Core units

• Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements
• Applied Management Accounting
• Internal Accounting Systems and Controls

Optional units

• Business Tax
• Personal Tax
• Audit and Assurance
• Credit and Debt Management
• Cash and Financial Management

For full details of what you’ll learn on each unit, download our AAT course guide.

You’ll sit 5 in-person, computer-based assessments at an AAT exam centre: 3 core assessments and 2 elective assessments. 

They will be a mix of short-form questions (e.g. multiple-choice and drag and drop), calculations, and written responses. Find an exam centre near you.

You’ll also complete online mock tests throughout your course to ensure you’re well-prepared for your exams.

Yes! We’re an award-winning AAT centre, and we’ve been pioneers in flexible learning for 130 years.

We’re trusted by thousands of students in 100+ countries, with a Trustpilot rating of 4.8/5 from more than 8000 independent reviews.

If you’re not sure which level to choose, we recommend the AAT Skillcheck. It’s a 30-minute multiple choice test that will suggest the right level for you based on your accounting knowledge.

The Level 2 Certificate is perfect if you have no accounting experience or if you haven’t mastered essential skills like double-entry bookkeeping. Most students start at Foundation level, even if they have some accounting experience.

The Level 3 Diploma is for you if you have significant practical accounting experience and a firm grasp of all the topics covered at Foundation level.

The Level 4 Diploma could be ideal if you understand everything covered at Foundation and Advanced level and are fully competent in double-entry bookkeeping. Students rarely enrol directly onto the Professional Diploma without completing Foundation/Advanced or a similar practical accounting qualification first.

If you plan on completing multiple levels, you can save money and transition smoothly by studying our Level 2 & 3 or Level 3 & 4 combined courses.

Our AAT course guides include a detailed breakdown of the topics covered on each course.

AAT graduates are in high demand by employers for their practical, hands-on accounting skills.

The AAT Level 2 Certificate can lead to entry-level roles such as:

• Accounts Administrator
• Accounts Assistant
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk
• Trainee Accounting Technician
• Trainee Finance Assistant
  
  

The AAT Level 3 Diploma can lead to mid-level accountancy roles, including: 

• Accounts Assistant
• Accounts Payable and Expenses Supervisor
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Assistant Accountant
• Audit Trainee
• Bookkeeper
• Credit Controller
• Finance Assistant
• Payroll Administrator
• Payroll Supervisor
• Practice Bookkeeper
• Tax Assistant 
  
  

The AAT Level 4 Diploma can lead to senior finance roles, such as: 

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

Right away! When you enrol, you’ll be able to log in to your course and get started within an hour.

There are no set start dates or study schedules – everything is shaped around you.

• Unlimited support online or by phone
• Interactive online learning designed by AAT experts
• 24/7 access to the Student Community, your all-in-one online learning platform
• AAT student forums so you can connect and share advice with other students
• In-house student services team, so you’re never more than a message or phone call away from a helping hand

As this course involves in-person exams, you should locate your nearest AAT exam centre using the venue finder tool before enrolling.

You’ll be assessed through a number of computer-based AAT exams sat at your local AAT centre.

Please note that your AAT exam fees and other fees aren’t included in the course cost.

If your course is being funded by your employer, let us know and we can bundle your fees into one all-inclusive package.

If not, we can include AAT's Registration fees in your interest-free payment plan, but you'll pay your AAT exam and exam centre fees directly to AAT and your exam centre.

Yes, we can invoice your company directly for an all-inclusive bundle that streamlines your AAT fees into one simple cost.

Our all-inclusive AAT bundle includes:

• Course cost
• AAT exam fees
• AAT exam centre fees
• AAT membership for one year
• Exam booking service

Get in touch with our AAT Advisors by email or by calling +44 141 404 6595.

They’ll talk through your experience and skills to make sure you’re choosing the right course, then get you enrolled with an interest-free* payment plan.

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.

Your payments will be charged in GBP. The monthly payments listed in your local currency are an estimate based on the current exchange rate from xe.com.

This means that the amount you’ll pay each month in your local currency may vary based on the current exchange rate.

Your bank may use a different exchange rate from the one listed here, or charge a fee for converting your payments into GBP; we’d advise that you speak to your bank directly for more details.