Learning areas covered:

Unit 1 Recording income and receipts

This unit relates to the role of invoicing and receiving payments. The first element involves you in manually preparing and coding invoices and credit notes for goods and services supplied and entering the details in both a manual and computerised accounting system. The element also requires you to prepare statements of account manually, and as computerised output. It is expected that you will communicate with customers politely and effectively, in response to their queries or when chasing payments.

The second element is concerned with checking and recording receipts in a manual and computerised system. The element requires you to deal with receipts in a variety of different forms and, therefore, to complete paying-in documents where necessary. You are required to deal with unusual features relating to wrongly completed cheques, out-of-date cheques, debit or credit card limits exceeded and disagreement with supporting documentation. Where these features are outside

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element 1.1 Process documents relating to goods and services supplied
• Element 1.2 Process receipts

Unit 2 Making and recording payments

This unit relates to the organisation’s expenditure. It includes dealing with documentation from suppliers and ordering and delivery documentation, preparing payments, recording expenditure in the appropriate records, and making payments relating to invoices, wages and salaries, and petty cash.

The first element is concerned with ensuring calculations and records of expenditure are correct and deducting available discounts. You are required to code and enter documents in a manual and computerised accounting system. You are also required to handle both verbal and written communications with suppliers in a polite and effective manner. However, you are not expected to deal with goods supplied under leasing or hire purchase contracts at this level.

The second element relates to preparing authorised payments, relating to creditors, payroll and petty cash. This involves you in selecting appropriate payment methods and ensuring that all payments are recorded and entered into the accounting records, both manual and computerised. This element also requires you to take responsibility for ensuring the security of relevant payment methods and to refer queries to the appropriate person.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element 2.1 Process documents relating to goods and services received
• Element 2.2 Process payments

Unit 21 Working with computers

This unit is about your ability to use a computer system safely and effectively. For the first element, you will need to demonstrate that you can use specified software and are fully aware of your responsibilities when using a computer system. For the second element you will be required to show an understanding of the need to keep data confidential and secure.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element 21.1 Use computer systems and software
• Element 21.2 Maintain the security of data

Unit 32 Professional ethics

The Professional Ethics unit requires the candidate to provide evidence of their ability to demonstrate the ethical duties and responsibilities necessary and the knowledge required to underpin ethical practice in this sector.

The unit has been developed using the existing AAT Guidelines on Professional Ethics (based upon principles approved by the International Federation of Accountants, IFAC). From this basis, the key components have been extracted and assimilated to reflect the most critical requirements for professional conduct and competence in this field. The Professional Ethics unit is not designed to replicate the ethical requirements detailed by the professional sponsoring bodies of the AAT. However, it provides a sound basis for progression in application of ethics and related knowledge and understanding required of students at the higher level.

In addition to the specific learning outcomes for this unit, the ethics subject matter forms an ideal basis for developing the candidate’s communication skills and critical decision-making skills.

 Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element 32.1 Apply general principles and procedures for ethical compliance expected within the accounting sector.
• Element 32.2 Develop, maintain and apply ethics in employer/employee situations

Unit 31 Accounting work skills

This unit is about those skills that all accounting technicians need to operate effectively as a member of an accounting team, or as the accounting member of a broader team, within an organisation.

The third element involves those generic skills that are essential to employees performing an accounting function. It includes prioritising, planning and organising work tasks with an emphasis on training and development to improve performance. It also includes working effectively with other staff, both within and outside of an accounting team, and monitoring the work environment to ensure that it remains safe and effective.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element 31.3 Perform effectively in the workplace

Training methodology and learner support:

Credo Business College offers 3 different types of training options, which you can choose from. Credo delivers high quality courses and depending on which course you study, the training option depends on the programme and the clients’ or learners’ needs.

Training options available:

• Full-time contact classes
• Blended learning: combination of contact classes and distance learning
• Full-time distance learning

Training option 1: full-time contact classes

Full-time study means that learners attend classes on a daily basis during the day. This usually implies that our full-time learners are not employed and, as they are either recent matriculants or school leavers, they are able to attend daily classes on a full-time basis for the number of years required to complete the qualifications.

Training option 2: blended learning – combination of contact classes and distance learning

This course is presented through a combination of contact sessions (face-to-face learning) and distance learning. Learners can attend a number of classes per module. The first class is an introductory class at the start of each module. This class gives you an overview of the most important aspects of the module and gives you an idea of what to expect in the module. After each introductory class, you complete the relevant module via distance learning. Learners may have 1 to 2 additional contact classes after the introductory class. The second class is usually held two weeks prior to a learner writing a practice assessment and the third class is held prior the formal assessment. Class 2 and 3 are purely based on revision.

Training option 3: full-time distance learning

With distance learning learners can study in their own time from home or work instead of attending classes. Learners have more flexibility as they will have full-time access to credo’s online learning platform. Learners will receive study guidance in terms of unit/module notes, study plan, assignments, assignment feedback and guidance on revision.