Accounting

Entry Requirements

• Grades 9-5 in English and Maths and three or more GCSEs at grades 9-4.

Assessment

• 100% exam

Course Duration

• Two Years

Exam Board

• AQA

Why Choose A Level Accounting?

Are you interested in understanding how businesses manage their finances? Do you want a career in finance, accounting, or business management? AQA A Level Accounting provides the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced financial world.

By choosing A Level Accounting, you’ll gain a solid understanding of how businesses track income, control costs, and plan for the future.

Key benefits of choosing Accounting:

• Foundational to business success: Accounting is essential for any business to operate efficiently.

• Career prospects: A stepping stone to a wide range of careers in finance, accounting, and business.

• Real-world application: The concepts and skills you learn can be directly applied to personal and professional financial management.

• Path to further study: Opens doors to higher education in business, finance, or economics, as well as professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW.

What You Will Explore

The AQA A Level Accounting curriculum offers a deep dive into both financial accounting and management accounting, ensuring you are well-prepared for a range of academic and career opportunities.

Core areas of study include:

• Double-entry bookkeeping: Master the essential skill of recording business transactions.

• Income statements and balance sheets: Learn to prepare and interpret financial statements used by businesses to track performance.

• Ratio analysis: analyse a company’s financial health and compare it to industry benchmarks.

• Accounting for partnerships and limited companies: Understand how different business structures maintain their accounts.

• Budgeting and costing: Explore how businesses use financial data for planning and decision-making.

• Investment appraisal: Learn techniques such as net present value (NPV) to assess the profitability of future investments.

• Break-even analysis: Study how businesses determine their profitability levels and manage costs.

• Ethics and regulation: Delve into the ethical responsibilities of accountants and how laws and regulations shape accounting practices.

Skills You Will Develop

A Level Accounting not only equips you with specialised accounting knowledge but also develops key transferable skills that are valuable across many disciplines.

By studying Accounting, you will gain:

• Numerical proficiency: Develop strong mathematical skills for working with complex financial data.

• Analytical thinking: Learn to interpret financial reports and data to inform decision-making.

• Attention to detail: Accounting requires accuracy, teaching you to manage data with precision.

• Problem-solving abilities: Enhance your ability to assess financial problems and propose strategic solutions.

• Time management: Balance multiple tasks and deadlines effectively, a critical skill in the business world.

• Ethical awareness: Gain an understanding of the ethical standards in accounting, ensuring transparency and fairness in financial reporting.

Transferable Skills The skills you develop in A Level Accounting—such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis—are highly transferable and sought after in many sectors, including marketing, operations, and human resources. You’ll also gain financial literacy, a valuable life skill that helps in managing personal finances, investments, and savings.

Real-World Impact Accountants play a pivotal role in the success of businesses and organisations. With an understanding of accounting, you’ll be able to contribute to sustainable business practices, support ethical financial decision-making, and ensure the financial transparency of organisations.

Where Can A Level Accounting Lead?

A Level Accounting opens doors to a variety of academic and professional opportunities, making it an excellent choice for students with ambitions in business, finance, and beyond.

Further Education

A Level Accounting provides a strong foundation for a range of higher education courses, such as:

• Accounting and Finance: Specialise in financial reporting, auditing, and corporate finance.

• Business Management: Explore broader aspects of managing businesses with a financial focus.

• Economics: Study how financial decisions impact national and global markets.

• Law: Focus on areas like tax law or corporate law, where financial knowledge is essential.

• Professional qualifications: Begin your journey towards becoming a certified accountant with recognised bodies such as ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW.

Career Opportunities

An A Level in Accounting is highly regarded by employers in various sectors. Possible career paths include:

• Chartered Accountant: Help businesses manage their finances, audit accounts, and plan for future success.

• Management Accountant: Work within businesses to oversee budgets, control costs, and support decision-making.

• Financial Analyst: Analyse financial data to guide investments and strategy for businesses or individuals.

• Tax Advisor: Help organisations and individuals navigate complex tax laws to manage their liabilities efficiently.

• Auditor: Ensure the accuracy of financial records and ensure organisations comply with regulations.

• Entrepreneur: Use your financial acumen to start and run your own business effectively.