Here’s what you need to know about Qualifications 22

Later this year, AAT is introducing new versions of its bookkeeping and accounting qualifications. Here’s everything you need to know about the new qualifications and how these changes will affect your study.

On 1 September 2022, AAT will introduce Qualifications 2022 (Q2022), new versions of its bookkeeping and accounting qualifications. The new Q2022 bookkeeping, and accounting qualifications will replace the current AQ2016 Access, Foundation and Advanced level bookkeeping qualifications, and Foundation, Advanced and Professional level accounting qualifications. 

What’s changing? 

Qualification names 

The names of the qualifications are changing from using Access, Foundation, Advanced and Professional to Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. 

Three qualifications withdrawn 

AAT is not replacing the current Access Award in Accounting Software, Foundation Award in Accounting Software and the Foundation Diploma in Accounting and Business. If you were considering studying any of these qualifications, you must register for them before 31 August 2022. You’ll then have until 30 September 2023 to complete the qualification. 

Qualification grading 

The Level 2 and Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping qualifications for Q2022 will be graded – in the same way that the accounting qualifications are graded. The final grade will be calculated based on the weighted results from the unit assessments and you’ll be awarded an overall qualification grade of either a Pass, Merit or Distinction. 

Synoptic assessments 

Currently the AQ2016 Foundation, Advanced and Professional accounting qualifications all include a synoptic assessment. For Q2022, the only qualification that will include a synoptic assessment is the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. All other unit content will be assessed by individual unit assessments. 

Membership fees 

The annual membership fee that students currently pay is being removed for students studying Q2022 qualifications. AAT understands that their qualifications often take longer than a year to complete, so instead students will pay a one-off registration fee, which will give them lifetime access – i.e. access to the qualification for its lifetime (typically 4-5 years).

As well as registering you for the chosen qualification, the one-off registration fee will enable you to sit your assessments, give you access to AAT’s study support resources via the Lifelong Learning Portal, as well as other benefits. You’ll still have to pay for your assessments when these are booked. 

Re-sit restrictions 

There are currently re-sit restrictions on the three AQ2016 accounting qualifications for students aged 16-19 years. The only Q2022 qualification that may have a re-sit restriction will be the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. The restriction will only apply to students aged 16-19 years old. AAT will confirm how the re-sit restrictions will be applied in due course. 

Wider learning 

In addition to updates to the technical aspects of the qualifications, Q2022 units will incorporate learning around four key themes within an accounting context: ethics, communication, technology, and sustainability. These themes are introduced in the Level 1 qualifications and built upon as the levels increase. 

What you need to do 

When AAT launches the new versions of the qualifications on 1 September 2022, you’ll have two options for completing your qualification: 

1. You can continue with your studies on the current, AQ2016 version of your qualification. 

If you choose this option, you’ll need to continue to pay your annual membership fee and successfully complete all the assessments by 30 September 2023. 

• If you’re unable to complete your qualification by the last assessment date, you’ll then have to register and pay for the Q2022 version of the qualification. You’ll need to sit additional assessments for units that weren’t completed and/or haven’t been transferred. If your student membership is active and you’ve achieved at least one of the assessments on your current AQ2016 qualification, you’ll be eligible to pay the one-off transfer fee, instead of the one-off registration fee. 

2. You can transfer your current qualification onto the equivalent Q2022 qualification. 

Most assessments achieved on the AQ2016 qualifications will automatically transfer over to Q2022, however there are some exceptions. 

• If a student wants to transfer to the equivalent Q2022 qualification, they may be eligible to pay a one-off transfer fee, instead of the one-off registration fee. To be eligible, they must have an active student membership and have successfully completed at least one of the assessments on the AQ2016 qualification they are studying. 

For students that have completed assessments on AQ2016 and transfer to Q2022, the results will transfer at the percentage result they’ve achieved. There are some exceptions to this where multiple AQ2016 units are combined into one Q2022 unit. 

Consider your options and discuss them with your training provider to make the right choice for you – your training provider knows you and how you’re progressing with your studies, so it’s important to speak to them about your options before you make a decision. 

For more detailed information on the changes to the AAT bookkeeping and accounting qualifications, and to find out how the units transfer, visit the AAT website.

Key dates 

• 31 August 2022 – The last date for students to register for an AQ2016 Foundation, Advanced or Professional level accounting and bookkeeping qualification, and the Access Awards in Accounting Software, Bookkeeping and Business Skills qualifications. 
• 1 September 2022 – The first date students can register onto the new accounting and bookkeeping qualifications – Level 1, 2, 3 and 4, under the banner of Q2022. 
• 30 September 2023 – The last chance for students to sit an assessment on any of the current AQ2016 Access, Foundation, Advanced and Professional level qualifications. 

The content team are the owners of AAT Comment.