Bookkeeping - AAT Level 3 Certificate

The purpose of the AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping is to ensure that learners have the advanced bookkeeping skills necessary to work in a bookkeeping role or to progress to higher level accountancy. 

This qualification comprises two mandatory units; 

• Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements 


• Tax Processes for Businesses

Learners completing this qualification will develop the skills needed for financial processes including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping and preparing financial statements. They will also understand business issues regarding payroll and value added tax (VAT).

An application process is applicable to this course. English language skills at Level 2 are required. You will be asked to complete an online assessment in English after submitting a course application.

Funding for Level 3 courses 

Skills and Learning can access government funding for courses at Level 2 and below for an unlimited number of learners who meet the eligibility criteria. 

However, funding at Level 3 is only available for 12 eligible learners in Bookkeeping in the 2026/27 academic year. Learners other than those who get a funded place will need to pay the course fee as usual.

To be eligible for funding learners can be unemployed, employed, or self-employed but must earn below £25,570 gross salary. Learners need to prove their eligibility by providing evidence of their gross annual wages. This could be a wage slip or a UC statement within 3 months of the learner’s start date on a course, or a current employment contract which states gross monthly/annual wages.  

We have allocated 6 funded places for eligible learners to each of the courses below: 

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  AF1368J Bookkeeping – AAT Level 3 Certificate at our Kings Park, Bournemouth centre on Wednesday mornings from 16 September 2026 

  
  

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  AF1369J Bookkeeping – AAT Level 3 Certificate at our Kings Park, Bournemouth centre on Friday mornings from 18 September 2026 

  
  

We anticipate that demand for funded places (i.e. the funding would pay for the course which would then be free to the learners) will exceed demand. We are unable, however, to increase the amount of funded places. We will allocate the available places on the basis below: 

1 – Only learners who reside in the BCP or Dorset council areas will be considered for funded places. 

2 – Only learners whose attendance (80% or higher) and behaviour (no progression to formal stages 1 to 4s) are suitable will be considered for funded places. 

3 – Only applicants who apply for 1 of the courses above will be considered for funding (i.e. we will not consider learners who apply for both instances of the same course listed above) 

4 - Learners will be ranked according to the day and then time on which they applied to the Level 3 course on our website. This is, in essence, a first come-first served approach. 

5 – If learners have identical application times then places will be allocated, in hierarchical order, on the basis of: 

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  Priority given to learners who studied at Level 2 with us 

  
  

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  Priority given to learners who studied at Level 1 with us 

  
  

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  A random ballot 

  
  

5 – Funded places will then be to the top 6 ranked applicants for each course.  

The allocation of places will be communicated to the successful applicants via e-mail.  

Applicants will then be given 10 working days within which to provide evidence of their gross income (see above). If this evidence is forthcoming, then the funded place will be confirmed. If this evidence is not supplied within the specified time frame than the funded place will be reallocated to the next applicant on the list. 

We regret that government has limited the number of funded places available but are confident that the process outlined above is both fair and transparent. Applicants for Bookkeeping courses can alternatively apply for an Advanced Learner Loan as per the web site Advanced learner loans funding and performance management rules: 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK 

Learners wishing to potentially access a funded place are advised to apply via our website as soon as possible. 

Learners must successfully achieve the two mandatory unit assessments to achieve this qualification. The proportion of this qualification assessed by externally marked assessment is 100%.

Awarding body: Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

A Personal Learning Plan will be negotiated with your tutor identifying the areas that may need development; this will be reviewed at regular intervals.

Please note that this qualification must be completed within the deadline set. 

An administration fee of £50 will be applied should you need to undertake a third attempt of any units of the computer-based assessments.

The Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping develops existing skills and knowledge to an advanced level for anyone wishing to pursue a career in bookkeeping. This qualification offers progression for those who already have bookkeeping knowledge, either to gain employment in a bookkeeping role or to progress to further study. 

This qualification is suitable for those who have completed the Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping and may help students already working in a bookkeeping role to progress by offering them formal recognition of their skills.

Learners enrolling on this course will need to have achieved a Level 2 Bookkeeping qualification or be able to demonstrate strong Level 2 skills gained through your work prior to joining.

There is an expectation that if you enrol on this course, you are willing to commit fully to the period of time involved in this course, the associated home study and the assessed work required, and intend to sit the examination if applicable. You should consider your readiness to commit to study and we have a study support toolbox to help you with this: www.skillsandlearningace.com/toolbox/.

There will be a range of support materials available through AAT and these can be accessed through the AAT Lifelong Learning Portal.

Registration with AAT within four weeks of starting the course is required.  Your tutor will be able to advise you of this process.

You will need access to a PC or laptop to complete homework tasks.

There may be further materials you could obtain to further support your study. You will be guided by your tutor prior to any purchase.

For course costs for Level 3 certificates please visit the finance page of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/learning-with-us/finance.

PLEASE NOTE - If you do not attend a pre-booked practical or theory exam, without giving the required notice, you will be invoiced for the cost. Details of the fees and cancellation notice periods required are available on request. An administration fee of £50 will be applied should you need to undertake a third attempt of any units of the computer-based assessments.

Learners completing this qualification may wish to go on and complete the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting. If learners wish to continue studying and choose to complete one of the full AAT Accounting Qualifications, their achievement/s in this qualification may be transferred to the larger qualifications.

Your tutor may also be able to discuss the possible next step options with you. You may like to talk with a Careers Adviser about other courses. For further information please contact us on 01202 123444.

Need support planning your next steps? Our experienced Careers Advisors at Skills & Learning can offer personalised guidance on choosing the right course, exploring career paths, developing interview skills, updating your CV and much more. Book a FREE appointment today and get the support you need to achieve your goals. Visit: https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/learning-with-us/next-steps/. Call us at 01202 123444 for more information.

English, maths and computing skills: all of our courses support the development of relevant English, maths and computing skills.

Refunds: please see details of our cancellation policy in our Terms and Conditions on our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/terms-and-conditions or in our brochure.

Attendance: before enrolling you should ensure that you can attend all classes offered as far as possible.

Places on courses: many of our courses are in high demand. If you have been offered a place but no longer require it, please advise us immediately as you may be preventing another learner from taking the place. Where learners do not attend the first session, without having given prior notice, Skills & Learning reserve the right to offer the place on the course to another learner; you will not be eligible for a refund it it is outside of the terms outlined in our cancellation policy.

Fully funded learners: if you have been offered a fully funded place on a course and no longer require it, you must advise us before the course starts so that your place can be offered to someone else. We reserve the right to withdraw future offers of fully funded places if you regularly do not start or complete funded courses.

Home study: you will be required to do significant study at home between sessions to assist with your learning and progress.

Qualification Levels: there is further information about qualification levels on our website.

Proof of identity: please bring photographic ID and your National Insurance number with you to your first session. You will also need to provide it for any external examinations you take.

Off-site activities: with some courses, there may be the opportunity for off-site enrichment activities at additional cost, for example: gallery, museum or exhibition visits. Where this is an integral part of the course, your tutor will discuss the arrangements with you during your induction.

Parking at centres: parking at centres may be limited; please be prepared to use on street parking or pay and display car parks. For information regarding each centre, please visit the venue section of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/.

Refreshments: tea/coffee or vending machine(s) are available at some venues. Further information can be found in the venue section of our website www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/.

Unspent Criminal Convictions we require learners to disclose any unspent criminal convictions. Please refer to www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/disclosure-of-unspent-convictions.

If you have any accessibility or disability issues that we need to accommodate or if you think you may need any other support to complete your chosen course, please contact: 01202 123444 or e-mail enquiries@salbcp.com. All enquiries are treated in confidence.