What is the difference between AAT accounting and ACCA?

The best accounting qualification is determined by understanding the current position of applicants. This is largely determined by their academic status as well as their eventual goal. Both qualifications will benefit your career paths. It's an entry qualification created to provide students with more experience in accounting. The course can be studied at 16 and can be used to give a foundation for a younger student as a qualification but can serve as a key tool when entering the industry later. 

AAT is the acronym for Association of Accounting Technicians.

ACCA is the acronym for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. ACCA is a qualification that allows you to become a chartered certified accountant. The AAT on the other hand does not allow you to become a charted accountant. The ACCA is a globally recognized accounting qualification that will secure you a job in any part of the world in accounting, finance, and auditing.

What is the difference between AAT and ACCA accounting?

• The AAT is a nationally recognized accounting qualification that is accepted by several employers in the country. It can also be used to further study at an undergraduate level in accounting or finance courses.

• Whereas the ACCA accounting qualification has more international recognition and is accepted in several countries as a qualification to work as an accountant.

• The ACCA accounting qualification is more suitable for people looking to gain international recognition while the AAT accounting qualification is more suitable for people looking for a local qualification.

• Both the AAT and ACCA are designed to provide a foundation and basic knowledge of accounting, taxation, and law. It also gives you the necessary skills of accounting to be able to apply them practically in an organization.

• The AAT requires a candidate to have at least three A-Level passes or equivalent while the ACCA requires a candidate to have at least four A levels or equivalent. The AAT only requires you to have three years after passing the AAT level 1 exam before applying for the AAT level 2 exam. In the case of ACCA, it requires a candidate to hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent before applying for the ACCA level 2 exam. The ACCA also requires candidates to have two years of working experience before sitting for the ACCA professional exam.

• The AAT accounting qualification has a more intensive study period compared to the ACCA accounting qualification. It requires a candidate to sit for exams in three consecutive months. Whereas the ACCA accounting qualification has a more flexible study period since it only requires a candidate to sit for exams only once every year and it is divided into two levels.

• The AAT accounting qualification is divided into three levels while the ACCA is divided into two levels. However, the AAT levels are shorter compared to the ACCA levels. The AAT level 1 exam is 5 and a half hours long while the ACCA level 1 exam is 4 and a half hours long. The AAT level 2 exam is 4 hours long while the ACCA level 2 exam is 3 hours long. The AAT level 3 exam is 2 and a half hours long while the ACCA level 3 exam is 2 hours long.

To conclude the difference between AAT and ACCA accounting:

• The AAT accounting qualification has a more flexible study period compared to the ACCA accounting qualification. The AAT accounting qualification has a more intensive study period compared to the ACCA accounting qualification. It requires a candidate to sit for exams in three consecutive months.

Accounting and finance degrees if you have a passion for numbers

• Accounting and finance degrees are useful for students who have a passion for accounting, finance, business, and economics. Graduates can go on to work in the accountancy sector, banking sector, retail sector, manufacturing sector, and government sector.

Accounting and finance degrees - Find out more 

• Accounting and finance degrees are usually four-year courses, which can be taken full-time or part-time. They provide students with an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of accounting, auditing, taxation, financial management, and business economics.

Entry requirements

• Entry requirements for an accounting and finance degree will vary depending on the institution you are applying for. A level 3 qualification such as A level, BTEC National Diploma, or a Foundation Degree will usually be required.

Accountancy qualification

• The ACCA is a highly respected accountancy qualification for those wanting to become an accountant. The ACCA requires candidates to pass four exams in order to qualify. All exams must be passed within five years of starting

Online accounting courses

An online degree in finance and accounting

• If you do not want to take the traditional degree academic route, then an online degree in finance and accounting might be preferable for you. Study an online degree in finance and accounting degree to gain the skills required to get into the world of business. An accounting and finance degree is usually a four-year course that can be taken full-time or part-time. Students will learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of accounting, auditing, taxation, financial management, and business economics.

Accredited bodies for online degrees in finance and accounting

• The ACCA or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a professional accounting body in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1904 as a voluntary association. The ACCA is one of the largest accounting bodies in the world and it has over 300,000 members mainly from 150 countries. It offers a range of qualifications for its members including the AAT and the ACCA. Its members can be accountants, business advisors, insolvency practitioners, and financial analysts.

• The AAT is administered and regulated by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) which is a professional body that is located in London. It was established in 1976 and it carries out regulatory activities to ensure that candidates obtain the requisite knowledge and skills

The next step in your AAT and ACCA accounting journey

• If you are thinking about studying for an accounting and finance degree, then you need to know about the top accounting and finance degrees in the UK. A great starting point is the Whatuni guide to accounting and finance degrees. The guide includes information on the best accounting and finance degrees in the UK, how to find the best accounting and finance degree for you, and the top universities in the UK which offer an accounting and finance degree.

Click the Whatuni link below to find out more information

• Whatuni

 I hope this article has been useful to you in identifying and explaining the difference between AAT accounting and ACCA accounting.

To search our database and find your perfect course or tutor