Bookkeeping and Accounting courses

Gain a fundamental understanding of the principles of basic bookkeeping in the context of manual accounts systems which will help you progress with computerised systems.

Manual Bookkeeping Accounts Level 1 Award covers the following units:

• Preparing and processing business documents.
• Recording credit transactions.
• Making and receiving payments.
• Recording receipts and payments.
• Maintaining petty cash records.

This 12 week course costs £200. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.

Access to AAT qualifications requires student membership for all learners for a fee of £43 at the start of the course. This cost is not included in the course fees and guidance will be given at the first lesson on how to join AAT.

Gain a fundamental understanding of the principles of basic bookkeeping using computerised systems. The software we will be using for this course is Sage Line 50. We find that learners are better prepared to understand bookkeeping if they have also completed the Manual Bookkeeping course.

An assessment may be organised with you to ensure you are on the correct course and level.

This 11 week course costs £150. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.
Access to AAT qualifications requires student membership for all learners for a fee of £43 at the start of the course. This cost is not included in the course fees and guidance will be given at the first lesson on how to join AAT.

The AAT Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping is part of the new AAT Qualified Bookkeeper (AATQB) suite of qualifications. It covers the underpinning skills in all accountancy and finance roles. This qualification is suitable for those already working in finance, those returning to work or unemployed or for those wishing to change career. It also offers progression for students who have started studying accountancy and bookkeeping with AAT.

The qualification is composed of two mandatory units, assessed in two end-of-unit assessments:

• Bookkeeping Transactions
• Bookkeeping Controls

On completion of this qualification you will develop practical accountancy skills in the double-entry bookkeeping system and in using associated documents and processes.   You will be able to check transactions for accuracy, make entries in appropriate books and ledgers, and calculate sales invoices and credit notes, and understand bookkeeping procedures such as dealing with VAT, reconciliation and trial balances.

This 26 week course codes £550. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.

Access to AAT qualifications requires student membership for all learners for a fee of £43 at the start of the course. This cost is not included in the course fees and guidance will be given at the first lesson on how to join AAT.

Part of the new AAT Qualified Bookkeeper set of qualifications, this course allows you to develop specialised skills or to gain recognition for the skills that you already have.  The purpose of this qualification is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out typical bookkeeping transactions and tasks using accounting software confidently.

This qualification would be an ideal next step for students with experience in manual bookkeeping, or those who have already studied the Level 1 Award in Computerised Accounting.  Basic knowledge of Sage software is required. This course will ensure that learners have the data processing and accounting software skills necessary for most finance roles.   You will gain knowledge and skills to carry out typical bookkeeping transactions and tasks using accounting software in one mandatory unit.

The qualification is composed of a single mandatory unit, assessed in a single end-of-unit assessment:

• Using Accounting Software.

You will develop skills to set up accounting software, practical accountancy skills in entering accounting transactions into the software and performing bank reconciliations.  You will learn the main features of accounting software and be able to enter information correctly.   We will cover the setting up of general ledger accounts for new and existing businesses and process typical bookkeeping entries. These will include processing sales and purchase documentation, recording bank and cash entries, carrying out bank reconciliations and month end routines. We will also learn how to produce reports using the software and understand the purpose of these reports.

This 11 week course costs £230. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.

AAT require a membership fee to be paid at the start of the course of £43. This cost is not included in the course fees and you will be expected to be pay at the start of the course.

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to work in an accounts office, manage their own business or wish to further their studies of computerised accounting.

This course enables further study into financial record keeping within a double-entry bookkeeping system using SAGE accounting software.  You will gain the necessary skills to carry out a range of basic day-to-day computerised bookkeeping routines and activities. This will include entry of business transactions and routine bookkeeping tasks including working within a double-entry system involving ledgers and journals.  You will understand the importance of maintaining accuracy, security and data integrity in performing any bookkeeping tasks.  Further information is available from the skillsfirst website: http://www.skillsfirst.co.uk/

You will need to have good computing skills, Level 1 experience on Sage software and access to a computer which has internet access.  You will also need speakers or headphones to hear any instructions within the course.  A face to face induction is required with the tutor, including an introduction to accessing the course online and downloading of any required resources.

We will expect you to communicate regularly with the tutor, login and access the course twice weekly.  Completion of the course is expected within 6 months of your enrolment date studying approx 10 hours a week.  All materials are provided online including course books.

If you prefer to work with a hard copy of the two books we can facilitate the purchase of them at an additional cost of £35 each.  Alternatively we can arrange to loan you the books for a deposit of £35 but please note that we will not release the Certificate until the workbooks are returned without writing inside.

This course costs £335 and lasts approximately 6 months. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.

Gain a qualification and learn about computerised bookkeeping skills through distance learning.

This course enables further study into financial record keeping within a double-entry bookkeeping system, using SAGE Line 50 accounting software.   You will gain the necessary skills to carry out a range of advanced computerised bookkeeping routines and activities. The activities will include entry of business transactions, and routine bookkeeping tasks including working within a double-entry system involving ledgers and journals.  You will understand the importance of maintaining accuracy, security and data integrity in performing any bookkeeping tasks.

This course is for anyone who already has a working knowledge of Sage and bookkeeping, and has completed the level 2 Award in Computerised Bookkeeping. Ideally you should have a Level 2 qualification in Maths.  This course requires assessment by an IT tutor before registration for the course.

You will need to have good computing skills, experience on Sage software and access to a computer which has Internet access.  You will also need speakers or headphones to hear any instructions within the course.  A face to face induction is required with the tutor, including an introduction to accessing the course online and downloading of any required resources.
We will expect you to communicate regularly with the tutor, login and access the course twice weekly.  Completion of the course is expected within 6 months of your enrolment date studying approx 12 hours a week.  All materials are provided online including course books.

This course costs £1900 and lasts approximately 6 months. This course is eligible for funding via the Advanced Learner Loan and anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.

Learn how to run SAGE payroll for your business or improve your career prospects.

This level 1 qualification provides an introduction to computerised payroll, record keeping and processing. Every learner is provided with a study pack which covers:
the basic features associated with payroll preparation and administration, including:

• Setting up the company details
• Entering employee records
• Calculating gross pay
• Processing the first payroll
• Running all the reports required including payslips

You will complete self-assessments and a practice test, followed by a final online assessment.

You will have access to the Sage e-learning Portal, where you will be able to access all online learning materials, including formative and practice simulations. (Six months access only).  Good computing skills are required to access the portal and download materials.

The course usually requires six hours of study per week for a period of 10 weeks. Initially, you have access to the software and portal for six months, but this can be extended for a small additional cost.  A 1-1 meeting with a tutor to assess your IT skills and go through enrolment onto the portal is required before starting the course.  A hard copy of the coursework is available at an additional fee of £25.  You must start the course within 4 weeks of enrolment and maintain regular contact with your tutor.

Upon completion, you will be awarded with the Sage 50 Payroll Level 1 Award.  Possible employment opportunities include, Payroll Assistant, Payroll Clerk, Payroll Administrator.

This course costs £140 and lasts approximately 10 weeks. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.

Learn how to run SAGE payroll for your business.

This course is ideal for people who have completed the Computerised Payroll Level 1 qualification or who have some understanding of payroll functions and want to learn how to complete more advanced tasks such as calculating statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay, pension schemes, and more.

SAGE have developed the course to give you the most up to date skills required by employers, or learn how to run the payroll system for your own business. This will save time and money, particularly if payroll tasks are usually outsourced to an accountant.

You will cover the following payroll task and activities.

• Statutory Sick Pay
• Statutory Maternity Pay
• Pension Schemes
• Calculate gross and net pay
• Attachment of earnings orders
• Use Spreadsheet software
• Computerised payroll theory and skills

You will complete self-assessments and a practice test, followed by a final online assessment.

Upon completion, you will be awarded with the Sage 50 Payroll Level 2 Certificate.

This course costs £335 and lasts approximately 6 months. Anyone who is receiving Means Tested Benefits as described on our fee policy can access this course for free.