What AAT is
AAT (the Association of Accounting Technicians) is a body that awards accounting qualifications and runs a membership scheme. Its qualifications cover bookkeeping, accounting and tax tasks that businesses need every day. You study with a training provider, and you register with AAT for your assessments.
The three accounting levels
Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
A first step in finance administration and core accounting: double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing, and the purchase, sales and general ledgers. AAT says it usually takes around a year, and possibly as little as six months.
Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
Four mandatory units: Business Awareness; Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements; Management Accounting Techniques; and Tax Processes for Businesses (VAT and payroll). It usually takes around one year.
Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians
Five mandatory units: Financial Accounting; Management Accounting; Audit and Internal Controls; Principles of Taxation; and Advanced Business Awareness. It usually takes around 12–18 months.
What it costs
AAT's own fees have two parts: a one-off registration fee and an assessment fee for each unit. Your training provider charges separately for teaching. The figures below are AAT's UK fees from 1 September 2026 and the ranges AAT quotes for training provider fees.
| Qualification | Registration fee | Assessment fees | Total AAT fees | Training provider fees (AAT's range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Certificate in Accounting | £187 | 3 units at £67, plus a £72 synoptic assessment = £273 | £460 | £600–£2,000 |
| Level 3 Diploma in Accounting | £244 (£101 for AAT bookkeeping members) | 4 units at £67 = £268 | £512 | £900–£2,000 |
| Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians | £258 (£115 for AAT bookkeeping members) | 5 units at £69 = £345 | £603 | £1,000–£3,000 |
Training provider fees are set by each provider, so quotes can fall outside AAT's range. AAT also publishes fees for resits, exemptions and recognition of prior learning in its fee guide (see Sources).
Is AAT right for you?
- It suits you if you want to start without a long list of entry requirements, or to try accountancy before committing to a longer route.
- You can combine it with work. AAT says its Level 3 Assistant Accountant apprenticeship uses the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting; see apprenticeships.
- Other bodies decide what credit they give for AAT study. Ask them directly. For example, ACCA charges an exemption fee for each exam it exempts you from (see our ACCA guide).
General information only, not professional or financial advice. This guide does not recommend any course, employer or product, and does not give tax, accounting or financial advice.
Sources
Every fee, pay or exam figure on this page comes from the pages below. We read each one on 13 November 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the body's own page before you pay or decide.
- AAT: qualification fees and funding options, checked 13 November 2026.
- AAT: 2026/27 training provider, student and qualification fees (PDF, fees from 1 September 2026), checked 13 November 2026.
- AAT: Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, checked 13 November 2026.
- AAT: Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, checked 13 November 2026.
- AAT: Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians, checked 13 November 2026.