Develop your accounting careerThrough AAT(SA) membership

Reginald VincentOperations Specialist, Management Accountant, Telkom

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). Each of these two professional bodies has 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.

AAT(SA) will benchmark your existing accounting skills and AAT(SA) membership will confirm your status as an accounts or financial professional.

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

What is AAT(SA)?

Develop your career in finance with AAT(SA) membership

Are you currently working in the accounts or finance department? Are you responsible for any one of the following:

• purchase accounting

• inventory control

• payroll accounting

• costing and budgeting

• sales accounting and credit control

• cash and banking

• ledger accounts and the preparation of accounts.

Membership of AAT(SA) is an excellent way to establish your credentials and gain professional status for the work that you do.

It allows you to develop your key skills through ongoing training and support. In addition to enabling you to benchmark your accounting skills, AAT(SA) membership offers you a range of excellent benefits and services.

Mahlodi Agnes Mojapelo, gold member, Accounts Clerk, Telkom

First and foremost, as a member of AAT(SA) you will be able to benchmark your existing accounting and financial skills and obtain international accreditation of your professional status.

Furthermore AAT(SA) will provide you with training, support and advice at every stage of your career and give you all the benefits of a professional body. Think of AAT(SA) as your skills development partner. AAT(SA) is committed to providing you with exceptional support and advice throughout your career.

It’s this level of support, along with a host of other advantages, that will keep you coming back to renew your membership year after year.

What are the benefits?

Hanet Toronyi, gold member,Operations Specialist, Telkom

• Membership of AAT(SA) will increase your opportunities for career development.

• You will receive professional status and recognition when you become a member. This will show that you have achieved an internationally recognised level of competence, that you are committed to keeping your skills and knowledge up to date and are a member of a recognised, regulated professional body.

• Once you become a platinum member you will be able to use the letters MAAT(SA) after your name, and as a diamond member you will be able to use FMAAT(SA).

• As more and more employers worldwide insist that accounting and finance staff at all levels hold membership of a professional body and a professional qualification, AAT offers qualifications that are known and respected by employers.

Professional credibility and status

Free subscriptions to the top accounting industry magazines

AAT(SA) members receive free subscriptions to the publication Accounting Technician (UK) as well as to the award-winning Accountancy SA. The magazines are a useful resource for AAT(SA) members working in the accounting industry, offering practical advice and unbiased opinion.

It’s packed with useful information on:

• technical accounting

• business management

• IT developments

• personnel

• making the right career move

• updates on accounting standards, tax law and other regulations

• practical tips and advice on all aspects of the financial and accounting industries and practices.

Resources

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.

Support

The AAT(SA) qualification is designed to be flexible, allowing you to qualify at a pace that is right for you and that fits in with your needs and requirements. In terms of its work-based learning approach, AAT(SA) encourages you to develop and apply your skills while you work.

AAT(SA) offers three certificate levels:

Certificate: Accounting Technician

The Certificate develops skills in double entry bookkeeping and gives an understanding of management and administrative processes. You will learn how to use manual and computerised accounting systems and how to work with purchases ledger, sales ledger and general ledger.

Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate: Accounting Technician

The FET Advanced Certificate introduces more complicated accounting tasks, including the preparation of final accounts for sole traders and partnerships. You will develop skills in maintaining cost accounting records and 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 also includes a choice of specialist units, which means that you can focus your 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 AAT(SA) accounting qualification

Nkululeko Ntshanga, silver member, Cashbook Controller, Eskom

Membership levels

This table describes the different AAT(SA) membership levels and the skill set you will gain from each level. You can progress through the membership levels when you further your qualification or work experience.

AAT(SA) membership offers professional status to reflect the skills you have gained and guarantees your commitment to maintaining and developing your competence.

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.

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

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

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.

Limited offer for new members

To mark the official launch of AAT(SA), the association will recognise your experience and prior qualifications without requiring you to complete the full AAT(SA) training programme – for a limited period only.

This special membership offer is our way of acknowledging what you have already achieved in your career and giving you the recognition you deserve. We know that you have worked hard to be where you are today.

Whether you have developed your knowledge and skills in the workplace or through formal study, AAT(SA) has the membership option to suit you and your requirements.

To take up this special offer visit www.aatsa.org.za/members or call +2711 621 6888. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Jessie Bosco Silver member, Eskom

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To become an AAT(SA) member or to find out more about AAT(SA), contact us 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: Sophia Shadung, gold member, Assistant Accountant,Hannover Reinsurance Africa Ltd