College Wins National Accounting Training Award

11th May 2015

The Sheffield College has won a national award for its work training the next generation of accounting technicians.

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Training Provider Awards recognise excellence in delivery of AAT courses. The college clinched the national training provider of the year category for medium sized organisations. Heather Smith, Principal, The Sheffield College, said: -I am very proud of this tremendous achievement by the team. They are providing an excellent service to our accountancy students, preparing them for the world of work and promotion opportunities available. This is exactly what the college is all about, adding value through learning and meeting the needs of employers. AAT is the professional body for accounting technicians. There are 186 adults and apprentices completing AAT accounting qualifications at part time day and evening classes at the college. Qualifications offered include the AAT Certificate in Accounting at Level 2, and the Diploma in Accounting at Level 3 and Level 4. One student who has benefitted is Kyle Smith, aged 27, from Sheffield. Kyle is employed as an accounting assistant and is studying at college part time to boost his professional knowledge and practical skills. He spends one day a week attending college and is about to finish an AAT Level 3 qualification after successfully completing a Level 2 one. His ambition is continue his education and complete a degree level professional qualification in accountancy. Kyle said: -The courses have been really helpful to my career. I've learnt practical skills that relate to my job, for example, how to process VAT returns. I've really enjoyed studying, and the teaching staff have been brilliant. The competition winners were announced at the AAT Training Provider conference held on April 30th at Chesford Grange Hotel in Warwick. Demand for candidates with accounting qualifications and skills is growing. The college is increasingly working with employers in the manufacturing and logistics sectors as well as with accountancy firms. The college also provides full time AAT courses to 16 to 18-year-olds covering accounting, business and financial services. The college's AAT courses have strong employer links and a 96% student retention rate. Students receive careers advice, extra revision sessions and have the opportunity to move up to the next level course. Some of the courses qualify for an adult learning loan. The loans are for students aged 24-plus on Level 3 and Level 4 courses in a range of subjects. Students do not start to repay the loan until they are in work earning at least £21,000 a year. For more information on professional and business-related courses, go to http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/Part-Time/Courses/Business or call 0114 2602600. It's also not too late to apply for full-time courses beginning in September. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.