Opening Doors | AAT | Accountancy Access Award in Bookkeeping | Level 1
Why this course?

This Level 1 short course will help you develop an understanding of the role of the bookkeeper, including the need for accuracy and confidentiality at work. You will study accounting terms and principles, and learn how to record business transactions in books of prime entry correctly. Upon successful completion of the course, you'll receive a Bookkeeping Award accredited by the AAT.
You will learn the dual effect of transactions, a fundamental underpinning concept for double-entry bookkeeping and this will support you if you choose to study bookkeeping or accountancy at Foundation level.
Key areas and activities include:
- Single-entry bookkeeping using books of prime entry
- AAT website
- Introduction to spreadsheets
- Data entry
- Accounting terms
This course is free for those who meet the eligibility criteria. Please see the Cost & Finance tab for more information.
The course fee does not include registration and membership fees. The cost of the first scheduled unit's exam as per course calendar is included in the course fee. Any change in the original exam booking, any retake or exam taken after the course ends will incur a fee.
Start dates
Code | Start | Campus | Times | Duration | Fees | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FE0635-1C | 29 Sep 2022 | Central Brighton | Evening course | 12 weeks | £0.00 |
Entry requirements
If the following criteria apply, you qualify for one our FREE Opening Doors programmes:
- 19+
- Unemployed and claiming a means tested benefit*
- Employed and earning less than £20,319 per annum*
- If English is not your first language, your language will be at Entry Level 3 or above
- If you are not UK citizen, you will need to provide a confirmation of EU settlement status or a valid visa
*see Cost & Finance tab for more information

Course fees
Our Opening Doors courses are free to those currently unemployed and in receipt of a means tested benefit.
You will need to provide evidence of your benefit in order to receive a fee waiver for this course.
We accept the following Means Tested benefits for this course:
- Universal Credit
- JSA
- ESA
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Council Tax Benefit (not reduction)
- Pension Credit
Please note we cannot accept DLA, Carers Allowance, PIP or Tax Credits.
This course is free to those who are currently employed and earning less than £20,319 annual gross salary. You will be required to provide evidence of this in order to receive a fee waiver for this course.
We accept the following evidence:
- P60
- Last 3 months payslips
- Tax Credit notice (for self employed)
Please note you will also need to bring photo ID to your enrolment.
The amount a person can earn from their wages has gone up, it is now less than £345 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £552 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner).