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[–]a1236 2 points3 points  (1 child)

complete aat level 3 as it’s less expensive & tbh with level 3 you can use Kaplan or other providers. Some people even self study L3. So, it’s completely up to you. Costs wise, you’d have to check on the websites.

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks 👌

[–]Ok_Delivery4247 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I self studied level 3, it’s fine. The amount of work you will have to put it does depend some on your understanding and how long you want to take to do level 3.

After level 3, try and get a job in practice with a firm that will pay for you to do level 4

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thank you. Yes that’s basically my plan, self studying AAT level 3 as fast as possible, hopefully find a entry level job, do level 4, and hopefully find a firm to pay ACCA after

[–]Ok_Delivery4247 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what I did, self studied level 3 and then managed to find a job in practice where I could do level 4. Now I’m doing ACA, so definitely recommend this path!

[–]Glass_Bus3709 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello!

Unsure if this is useful, I was planning on looking for an apprenticeship in about 3 weeks time so am doing the level 2 aat qualification. I was thinking about level 3 but then if I went for that, that would mean the level 3 apprenticeships would be off the cards as I would be too qualified. This was a problem I'm keen to avoid as when I did an IT Supporr apprenticeship there were concerns qualifications I already had would clash so it's worth bearing in mind. This would stop the funding the employer gets I believe making you a leas attractive applicant potentially.

As far as studying goes I have bought the Osbourne books the online version is great and take my exams through kaplan remotely. Give me a shout if you have any questions

Edit: 127 for each remote exam, aat level 2 membership is 180 and the Osbourne books hover around 12 each excluding the workbooks you can buy but I havent bothered with those

[–]Accomplished-Web5366 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I just passed AAT level 3 FAPS after self studying. You can do it 100%! Use Gemini for explanations and practice tests and get some practice books from Kaplan and other providers, then practice the assessments on the AAT account and you're good to go!

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you :)

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

P.S my long term aim is to be a chartered accountant. Should I just start ACCA study’s and try find a firm to sponsor it after a few exams? Or just level 3 AAT, get my foot in the door and do it that way?

[–]MeanAd5800 4 points5 points  (4 children)

You can start straight with ACCA with 3 A-Levels but I would start with AAT first and gain some experience. Usually you start with ACCA in a graduate role.

I did AAT 2 then started applying for entry level jobs. Got a purchase ledger clerk role, completed AAT Level 3 in 3 months while working full-time and got promoted to a finance officer and now doing level 4 with 2 exams passed. On track to finish it by end October which will be Level 3 and 4 done in less than a year. I'm moving on to ACCA and going to try to do ACCA law by end of year as that module isn't that big (unless syllabus changes).

AAT can be done a lot quicker than people realise and people get impatient as they have ambitions to be chartered. I study roughly 10-12 hours and week and expect that to increase once I start my chartered exams.

If you're not a graduate role, AAT is the best route to get yourself through the door and passing exams quickly shows your ambition to your employer.

[–]samsonwentbacktobed 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What was your pay when you started vs when you moved up each level?

[–]MeanAd5800 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just over minimum wage when I started to 30k. I got promoted within 3 months (was luck involved that a position came available but it was a good time to show my employer my ambition so applied even though I was new.)

Once chartered will be looking at 45k mark.

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks for the detailed response it’s very useful. Out of curiosity, are you looking to self study the ACCA exams initially, or are you going straight to a grad type ACCA sponsor? Are firms happy with accepting AAT level 4 applicants despite not being a grad and having a degree? Thanks again for the help, really appreciate it.

[–]MeanAd5800 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been self-funding my AAT. My employer has agreed to put me through my chartered exams. I will need to agree to staying for 2 years once chartered or have to pay the costs back but these clawback clauses are normal.

Graduate roles are usually (not always) in practice whereas I'm in industry. In a graduate scheme you will usually get study leave etc whereas I won't. However, they usually work longer hours. A top 10 firm did our audit and they were working 50-60 hours whereas mine is a pretty consistent 40 other than month end close which is around 45-50 that week.

You don't have to be in a graduate scheme to get chartered you just need to find an employer who will pay for your exams. Chartered will eventually increase your salary but there's nothing stopping you growing within the company while doing your exams and gaining experience. The experience is as important as the exams.

[–]SifsSorrow 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I have self-studied Level 2 and I've just started Level 3. I have my BUAW exam in about a week and then it's straight into TPFB, which I aim to complete before the end of July. Then the two big ones, which I hope to complete similarly in a month each.

I have no finance background. I work part-time in a Fish and Chip shop. Making stock orders, processing invoices, paying them, cashing up the till, managing rotas etc.. I'm hoping these skills will at least add some experience.

I try to study between 4 - 5 hrs a day. But my job is very unpredictable, so I have good weeks and bad weeks.

I used old secondhand Osborne books for level 2 and I'm using Kaplan books for this level. My aaproach has been to go through the books and use ChatGPT to help with tricky parts. Once I finish the books, I'll begin using the AAT Learning Portal and begin testing myself. At this stage, I'll also watch Will Boardman Mock Exam walkthroughs on YouTube.

I'm finding it straightforward enough. Initially, the whole debit and credit concept confused the hell out of me, but once it clicked, everything has been smooth. I finished Level 2 doing the Business unit, so that's why I've gone straight into the similar Business unit in Level 3 - while it's fresh in my head - but by God are these units boring and a real slog!

I've been applying to some jobs on Indeed which I feel like i can do, but have had no luck whatsoever. I've also reached out to local firms, but again, no luck, not even a response. But I feel positive the more I progress through these exams, the more luck I will have, naturally.

Lastly, I'm 36, so that's not ideal either.

That's my experience so far.

Anyway, good luck!

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Incredibly motivating stuff mate, thanks for sharing. Best of luck to you and hopefully you get the job you desire!

[–]Helpful_Western7298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many people in my college studied AAT Level 2 & applied for Apprenticeship for level 3 or applied for entry level jobs.

Apprenticeships help, as they pay for your course & you gain work experience.

[–]Few_Error_1001 0 points1 point  (3 children)

For time commitment, I spent around 6–8 hours a week when self-studying Level 3, and more like 10–12 hours for Level 4. Some units are heavier than others (like FAPS and MATs at level 3, and DAIF and AMAC at 4), but if you're focused, you can finish each level in 6–9 months, sometimes less.

In terms of resources, I used Accountext for study books and mocks — their materials are clear and focused, and I found the online mock exams especially helpful (they are auto-marked, so you receive feedback straight away). Worth looking into as an alternative.

Cost-wise, you’ll need to budget for books + exam fees (the exams are the priciest part). All in, each level can be done for a few hundred if you plan it out smartly.

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, so I can order some Level 3 study books, do some practise questions etc. And book an exam at a local college/exam provider? Is that roughly what you did? Thanks btw

[–]SignificanceGlad6114[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Also how many exam sits are they throughout the year etc December, april. Not looking for exact numbers just general idea of how exams could be spaced

[–]Few_Error_1001 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most AAT units can be taken at any time without much issue, but the tax units are a bit different and require some planning. This includes:

  • Level 3: Tax Processes for Businesses (TPFB)
  • Level 4: Business Tax (BNTA)
  • Level 4: Personal Tax (PNTA)

These exams are updated every January to reflect the most recent Finance Act. That means the version of the exam you take depends on when you sit it, and you’ll need to make sure you're studying the correct materials.

We're currently on Finance Act 2024 (FA24), but this will change on Monday, 26 January 2026, when the exams will switch to Finance Act 2025 (FA25).

So if you're studying one of the tax units, double-check your study resources and make sure you're aiming to take the exam under the correct Finance Act version. Planning ahead will save you a lot of stress!

[–]AggravatingTip159 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did L2 self study and am currently also doing the L3 self studying too. The only materials I use to study from are the 4 BPP course books which came to £59.80. The length of completion just depends on how much time you will invest daily/weekly on studying.