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There is a new accounting qualification for you




The AAT (SA) Accounting Qualification

How to get started

We provide a practical qualification that will improve your career prospects in finance and accounting. Our flexible, internationally recognised qualification will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as an accounting technician.

The AAT(SA) accounting qualification has three certificate levels, each of which is a qualification in its own right. We offer you the flexibility to do individual or groups of units, as you will gain recognition for each unit achieved.

What you’ll learn:

Certificate: Accounting Technician:
This certificate develops skills in double entry bookkeeping and helps learner develop an understanding of management and administrative processes.

Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate: Accounting Technician: This certificate introduces employees to more complex accounting tasks, including the preparation of final accounts, maintaining cost accounting records, preparing reports and returns.

Certificate: Accounting ( Mandatory units and two electives)
This certificate offers a choice of specialist units, which means that employees can focus on the areas of accounting most relevant to the needs and interest of your organization-including a personal and business taxation unit based on South African Tax legislation and professional ethics unit.

How long does it take to qualify?

With AAT(SA), you can “earn while you learn”. Study at your own pace while you fulfill your other commitments. However, as a rough guide - if you choose to study part time along side a full time job, it takes about a year to complete each level and between 36 and 42 months on average to qualify as a platinum member of AAT(SA).

How much does it cost?

Tuition fees are determined by our approved training providers. Learn more about our approved training providers

Where can AAT (SA) take you?

The moment you register with AAT(SA), you belong to a professional body that has your best interests at heart. We offer membership options for every step of your accounting journey. With every level you complete you will gain recognition, support and benefits from one of seven membership levels.

How to get started

First things first

  1. 1. Choose your qualification:
  1. Certificate: Accounting Technician
  2. Further education & training (FET) certificate: Accounting technician
  3. Certificate: Accounting

Since each level represents a qualification in its own right, we’ll give you an AAT(SA) certificate for each level completed.

How will I be assessed?

As you work towards the AAT(SA) Accounting Qualification, you'll be assessed on the practical skills you develop during the course. Assessments will be delivered using current and/or emerging computer-based technologies.

Local government accounting qualification

  1. 2. Choose your starting level

You don’t need any formal entry qualifications to develop your skills with AAT(SA). We want to make the AAT(SA) Accounting Qualification open to all!

However, our assessments are generally conducted in English, so you should be confident of completing assessments and written projects in this language. Reasonable numeracy skills are also required.

If you do have relevant work experience or qualifications, you may be eligible to join at the Advanced Certificate level. It is best to discuss this with your approved training provider.

  1. 3. Find an approved training provider

You may study for the qualification of your choice with any of the approved AAT(SA) training providers. Please find a list of approved training providers here. Alternatively, your employer may offer our qualification in-house.

  1. 4. Register with AAT (SA)

To study for one of our qualifications, you need to register with AAT(SA). Please click here to download an application form.

What is a Learnership?

A Learnership is a work-based approach to learning and gaining qualifications and includes both structured work experience (practical) and structured institutional learning (theory).

The Skills Development Act indicates that a learnership must:

  • Include a structured learning component
  • Include practical work experience
  • Lead to a qualification
  • Relate to an occupation

What AAT(SA) learnerships are available?

AAT(SA) has learnerships for all the levels on the Accounting Qualification (Accounting Technician) and the Local Government Accounting Certificate (LGAC).

Need more information?

To learn more about AAT(SA), please call +2711 621 6888 or e-mail info@aatsa.org.za