This is the second level of the professional AAT accounting qualification and will cover more complex accounting tasks, including preparing final accounts for sole traders, indirect tax and costing. The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that you are well prepared to progress into a career in business, finance or professional accountancy, or into further education. You will learn and develop skills needed for financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping and preparing financial statements. You will also understand the business environment, technology used in finance and accounting, business issues regarding payroll and value added tax (VAT), issues in business, management accounting techniques, ethical principles and sustainability considerations for accountants. The course will also develop an understanding of business and its structure and purpose, as well as appreciating the wider business environment. You will develop skills supporting complex financial processes, such as final accounts, reports and returns, use of technology to provide management accounting information, and completion of VAT returns. You will be expected to take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures, as well as exercising autonomy and judgement within limited parameters, such as awareness of different perspectives or approaches within an area of study or work. You will need to use a variety of data and information about a business to visualise and communicate key information needed for business decision making.