This course offers you the opportunity to develop an understanding of the basics of manual bookkeeping and develop your practical skills. This qualification will particularly suit those students who have had minimal work experience or those who need some additional support to progress.

You will:

• gain an understanding on why keeping financial information accurate and up to date is important in the workplace,
• understand the key roles that a bookkeeper undertakes including data entry, checking bank statements, accounts receivable and accounts payable,
• learn underpinning theory including how to identify assets, liabilities, income, expenses, capital and profit or loss,
• learn the differences between trading for cash and trading on credit,
• develop the skills to process customer and supplier transactions, to enter receipts and payments into the cash book and check amounts against the bank statement in preparation for bank reconciliation,
• be introduced to the dual effect of transactions,
• learn the role that software can have in bookkeeping and the benefits and risks that different types of software may bring,
• explore the differences between cloud accounting software and traditional accounting software and learn about the importance of software security and the steps that can be taken to keep data secure,
• understand how the data they prepare, and reports they produce may be used by management and business owners in making business decisions and the importance of timely and accurate communication,
• learn the importance of ethical behaviour including confidentiality and the importance of data protection.

This qualification may be combined with the Level 1 Award in Business Skills to lay a strong foundation for further study with AAT in either accountancy or bookkeeping.

We recommend that you have:

• Four GCSEs at grade 2 or above, including English and maths
  or
• Functional Skills in Engish and maths at Entry Level 3

We will check that the course is right for you at enrolment.
You may also need to complete an initial assessment in English and maths, depending on your grades.

The qualification is assessed in one end-of-qualification assessment.

After completing this course, you'll be well-prepared for further study in accounting and bookkeeping, such as a study programme at Level 2.

You will learn in dedicated classrooms and computer rooms, and be taught by an experienced tutor.

School Leavers (16-18)

If you will be 16, 17 or 18 years old on 31 August before your course starts, and you have the legal right to live in the UK for the full length of your study programme, your course will be free.

You may also be eligible for financial help to support with books, travel, course materials and childcare costs – please click here for more information.