Develop your staff todayThrough AAT(SA) membership

AAT South Africa – AAT(SA) – is a joint venture between the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT). Between them, these two bodies have been involved with the education and development of accounting and financial staff for more than 20 years. With the backing of two such world-renowned and leading institutions, AAT(SA) regards itself as the premier professional body in South Africa dedicated to the education, development, regulation and support of accounting technicians.

As such, AAT(SA) offers a practical South African Qualifications Authority accredited qualification – targeted at all staff levels, from clerical-administrative to professional accounting positions – that will provide your accounting and financial employees with the skills and proficiency they need to make a truly positive contribution to your business, department or unit.

AAT(SA) also raises the competence and professionalism of its members through continuing professional development (CPD), paving the way for career advancement and raising the standards of performance in the workplace.

What is AAT(SA)?

Sophia Shadung, gold member, Assistant Accountant,Hannover Reinsurance Africa Ltd

Develop your financial staff

Whether you have two employees or two thousand, have an organisation based in one office or spread across multiple sites, helping your staff to develop their skills so they can do their jobs more effectively, makes good sense. To help them do this, it’s important to offer them the right training opportunities.

Training needs to be:

• relevant

• well structured

• rewarding for both employee and employer alike.

If you want to help your finance and accounting staff to build their skills, knowledge, technical abilities and confidence, AAT(SA) has both the qualifications and the expert experience you need to maximise the professionalism of your people.

AAT(SA) provides more than a qualification. It develops professionalism through its five membership tiers which ensure that your people keep up to date with new skills, knowledge and accounting legislation.

The high profile of the AAT(SA) qualification makes it a popular choice with financial and accounts staff. Offering AAT(SA) training makes a positive statement about your organisation’s commitment to staff development, which in turn is likely to boost staff morale and loyalty. Achieving an AAT(SA) qualification gives many employees a sense of professional status and recognition that encourages them to contribute more in the workplace.

Our qualification can provide a valuable recruitment tool too. Offering AAT(SA) training for new joiners can be an excellent way to attract the staff you are looking for.

Whatever the nature of your organisation and whatever its size, you’ll know that one of your most precious assets is your staff. Engaged, committed and enthusiastic staff are a vital ingredient in any organisation’s success.

Your organisation stands to benefit from signing your accounting and financial staff up for AAT(SA) membership and training. AAT(SA) members are:

• expected to commit to and comply with the AAT(SA)’s guidelines on professional ethics

• required to meet the CPD requirements of the AAT(SA)

• required to conduct themselves in a professional manner regardless of their level, job title and job requirements

• technically competent (as described per membership level)

• confident and effective in the workplace

• trained and skilled through outcome-based methodology that incorporates real life case studies

• work-ready upon completion of qualification.

The AAT(SA) qualification offers three certificate levels and five membership levels. AAT(SA) membership is a prerequisite of enrolment for the AAT(SA) qualification. Members also receive a range of benefits such as access to a global support network, magazine subscriptions and more.

What are the benefits?

Preggy Rajah, silver member, Accounts Clerk, Mondi Shanduka

Benchmarking your staff

In an environment where ensuring competence is a constant challenge, assessing your staffs skill set is increasingly important. The AAT(SA) qualification is an ideal way to benchmark financial and accounts staff members for recruitment purposes, as well as for eventual succession planning and lateral movements.

As a part of a global organisation that has roughly 140,000 members worldwide, AAT(SA) provides your accounting and finance staff with all the benefits of a professional home: a qualification, support and advice at every stage of their career. So you don’t need to be concerned about supporting and advising your accounting staff at a professional level – AAT(SA) will do that on your behalf and free you up for other management duties.

Members can call upon AAT(SA) expertise and resources whenever they need to. AAT(SA) offers a range of benefits and services that will enable members to continue their professional development long after they have completed their initial qualification.

These include:

• access to AAT(SA) services

• a subscription to Accountancy SA

• a subscription to Accounting Technician

• access to online study support and professional development support

• a dedicated helpline for learners

• ongoing access to technical and ethical specialist query lines

• access to certain SAICA services

• access to the SAICA handbook

• invitations to SAICA seminars at a discounted rate.

Global recognition, local focus

The AAT(SA) qualification is internationally recognised yet tailored specifically to the local business environment. Unlike many other qualifications, the AAT(SA) qualification work with South African currency and local tax laws and requirements, giving your employees knowledge and skills that are tailored to the local economy and put into action from day one.

…is eligible for government funding

Backed by SAICA and AAT, the AAT(SA) qualification is registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The qualification is also a registered learnership with the SETA for Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and other Financial Services (Fasset). The implementation of the learner-ship within your company will allow you to be eligible for govern-ment skills development funding and support.

…can be done on your business premises

AAT(SA) accredits and monitors a network of training providers (to locate the nearest one to your business, see www.aatsa.org.za). If you want to train several employees, an arrangement can be made to offer the qualification in-house, with huge cost and time saving benefits for employers.

…contributes to the alleviation of the skills shortage

An AAT(SA) qualified workforce not only benefits your business but will also contribute to the alleviation of the skills shortage in the long run. Employers worldwide actively seek AAT qualified people because they value the practical skills and professionalism this qualification provides.

AAT(SA) training...

The AAT(SA) qualification offers three certificate levels

Certificate: Accounting Technician

The Certificate develops skills in double entry bookkeeping and gives an understanding of management and administrative processes. Learners will be taught manual and computerised accounting systems and will show learners how to work with purchases ledger, sales ledger and general ledger.

Further Education and Training (FET) Advanced Certificate: Accounting Technician

The FET Advanced Certificate introduces more complicated accounting tasks, including the preparation of final accounts for sole traders and partnerships. Learners develop skills in maintaining cost accounting records, preparing reports and returns. Financial spreadsheets and professional ethics are also covered.

Higher Certificate: Accounting

Here you’ll learn how to draft financial statements for limited companies, perform complex management accounting tasks and develop your own management skills. The Higher Certificate: Accounting includes a choice of specialist units, which means that learners can focus their efforts on the areas of accounting most relevant to your needs and interests – including a personal taxation unit and a business taxation unit tailored to South African Tax Legislation.

The qualification we offer

The AAT(SA) qualification is designed to be flexible, allowing employees to qualify at a pace that is right for them and that fits in with your needs and requirements as an employer. In terms of its work-based learning approach, AAT(SA) encourages employees to develop and apply their skills while they work. In this way your business benefits from their improved skills.

Our qualification is practical and skills based. From the first day of training, learners learn techniques and processes that they can use at work. It’s rewarding for your staff to be able to apply what they have learnt so quickly – and this is excellent news for you as their employer.

As well as helping learners to develop their technical abilities in accounting and finance, our qualification also includes modules designed to build communication and interpersonal skills. In this way, we can help your staff contribute even more effectively in the workplace.

Who is it for?

The AAT(SA) qualification has broad appeal and relevance for people working in finance and accounting. It’s often the first step in professional training that can lead to the highest levels of financial responsibility.

What qualifications do my staff need?

Staff members do not need any formal entry qualifications to develop their skills with AAT(SA). However, AAT(SA) advises that new learners should have completed Grade 12, be able to complete written assessments in English and be numerate.

Your staff member will gain AAT(SA) membership when they enrol for the qualification. As they gain professional experience, they are eligible to move on to higher membership levels, which carry greater benefits.

How long does it take?

For employees who study part-time while working full-time, it takes about a year to complete each qualification level. It takes between 36 and 42 months on average to qualify as a platinum member of AAT(SA).

How much does the training cost?

AAT(SA) charges a membership fee for each type of member to provide service and support (details are available from www.aatsa.org.za).

In addition, AAT(SA) approved training providers charge tuition as well as assessment fees. However, we place a strong emphasis on cost effective tuition. This is a premier qualification with international recognition and is priced accordingly. If you decide to offer AAT(SA) training in-house, your training provider will agree a rate with you.

Mahlodi Agnes Mojapelo, gold member, Accounts Clerk, Telkom

Hanet Toronyi, gold member,Operations Specialist, Telkom

Flexible membershipAAT(SA) membership, denoted by the levels in the table (see next page), offers professional status to reward staff for the skills they’ve gained and to guarantee their commitment to maintaining and developing their skills.

AAT(SA) is a one stop solution for all your accounts staff training needs. Membership is open to financial and accounts staff at all levels of experience and education, and they are all encouraged to join.

We are committed to recognition of prior learning. Your employees’ existing accounting qualifications will be assessed and taken into account in determining their membership levels and eligibility to take the advanced AAT(SA) qualifications.

Reginald Vincent,Operations Specialist Management Accountant, Telkom

Membership levels

This table describes the different membership levels of the AAT(SA). It also explains the skill set your staff will gain from each level. Your staff can progress through the membership levels when they further their qualification or work experience.

NQF = National Qualifications Framework*For further details on the different qualifications please visit www.aatsa.org.za

Membership Level

Red Silver GoldPlatinum MAAT(SA)

Diamond FMAAT(SA)

Qualification

AAT(SA) learners working towards an AAT(SA) Certificate: Accounting Technician or a Local Government Accounting Certificate (LGAC).

Completion of Certificate level of the AAT(SA) Accounting Qualification/LGAC.

Similar qualification at minimum NQF 4*.

Completion of Further Education and Training (FET) Advanced Certificate: Accounting Technician level.

Similar qualification at minimum NQF 5*.

Completion of the AAT(SA) Higher Certificate: Accounting.

Similar qualification at minimum NQF 5*.

Completion of the AAT(SA) Higher Certificate: Accounting.

Similar qualification at minimum NQF 5*.

Work experience

One year work experience in an accounting environment at entry level.

Two years’ work experience in an accounting environment that includes exposure to cash management and credit control.

Five years’ relevant work experience in an accounting environment of which two years’ will be at a supervisory level.

Ten years’ relevant work experience in an accounting environment of which five years’ will be at a senior level.

Your staff skills

Double entry bookkeeping.

Understanding of management and administrative processes.

Use of manual and computerised accounting systems.

Work with the purchases ledger, sales ledger and general ledger.

Preparation of final accounts for sole traders and partnerships.

Maintain cost accounting records and how to prepare reports and returns.

Start understanding professional ethics.

Personal taxation unit.

Business taxation unit tailored to South African Tax Legislation.

High professional recognition in the industry.

Find out more

AAT(SA) recognises that whatever the nature of your organisation and whatever its size, you’ll know that one of your most precious assets is your staff.

Equip your employees with the skills and proficiency they need to make a positive contribution to your business, department or unit, with AAT(SA).

To find out more about AAT(SA) please contact us on +2711 621 6888 or visit www.aatsa.org.za

As a progressive and forward thinking organisation you recognise the importance of having a highly skilled workforce to deliver your business objectives. AAT(SA) members can be an important part of your business and we want to support you in supporting them to become the effective and valued accounting technicians you need.

Jessie Bosco, silver member, Eskom

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For enquiries or to arrange for membership and training for your financial and accounting staff, call the AAT(SA) helpline on +2711 621 6888, visit www.aatsa.org.za or email info@aatsa.org.za

AAT(SA)7 Zulberg CloseBruma Lake 2198

© AAT(SA) 2010Diploma level registered on the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) NQF – NRLD 20402

Front cover: Winnie Gumende MAAT(SA), platinum member,Finance Officer at Liberty Life Insurance