L2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
Brand new course! Click below to find out more and apply today for a February 2026 start. This short course provides essential bookkeeping and accountancy skills, including double-entry bookkeeping and processes up to Trial Balance. It’s ideal for those starting a career, small business owners, or anyone planning further study in finance. By completion, learners will confidently manage financial records and be prepared for the next step toward professional accountancy qualifications.
- Course Information
- Course Code
- XDC2BKG
- Validated By
- AAT
- Price
- *£414 none devolved council area / £828 devolved council area
- Attendance Pattern
- Evening
- Course Level
- Level 2
- Study Mode
- Blended - In person/Online
- Start Date
- 03/02/2026
- Age Group
- Adults (19+)
- Course Duration
- 19 weeks
- Overview
*Funding information
The course may be free of charge if you fit one of the following criteria (none devolved council area):
- Unemployed in receipt of benefit
- Low Wage (Earning below £25,750 annual gross salary)
Payment options:
- Pay in full
- 4 x equal consecutive payments
- Sponsor
Online – you will study using an online platform using video lessons, which are available on demand, and can be viewed from your phone, tablet or computer – meaning you can choose how, when and where you want to study. Lessons last for around 45 minutes and are accompanied by animations and motion graphics to bring concepts to life. Practice questions, downloadable lesson materials and interactive case studies help to enhance the learning experience further and learners should expect to spend around 4-5 hours studying independently online each week.
On campus – you benefit from regular classes with your college or training provider – without having to commit to attending multiple evenings each week. Your tutor will review what you have learnt during your online lessons and will be on hand to provide guidance on progress and assessment. Regular discussion with classmates will help to reinforce key points while also providing the additional support and motivation that comes from being part of a group.
Sessions Available:
Start End Day Session Time Venue 03/02/2026 Jun-26 Tuesday Evening 17:30 – 20:30 Langdale Road, Leyland / Online Planned lesson onsite every 2nd week (a timetable will be issued at the start of the course); alternate weeks will be learning using the online platform. You will also be required to attend college to sit exams.
Important information:
- Learners will need to purchase an AAT membership on top of their course fees. Total membership price is currently £70 (Price correct as of 12/11/25).
- No purchase of books required as all course materials are provided through the online platform.
- Access to a computer is essential for successful completion of the course.
- Entry Requirements
Students must be aged 19+ and have GCSE English & maths grade C/4 and above or, Level 2 Functional Skills English & maths.
- Progression Pathway
On successful completion of this course, you can progress to the full Level 2 AAT Certificate in Accounting. If you do choose to continue your studies in this way, any previous achievements in the Bookkeeping qualification are carried over to the longer Accounting qualification. Or you could progress to Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting.
Career opportunities:
- Clerical Assistant
- Trainee Bookkeeper
- Accounts Clerk
- Finance Assistant
- Accounts Administrator
- Programme Specification
Course units:
- Introduction to Bookkeeping
- Principles of Bookkeeping
On the course, students will:
- Understand financial transactions within a bookkeeping system
- Process customer transactions
- Process supplier transactions
- Process receipts and payments
- Process transactions through the ledgers to the trial balance
- Understand controls in a bookkeeping system
- Use control accounts
- Use the journal
- Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book
Foundation knowledge is needed to progress into employment or further study in accountancy and finance as well as business and personal skills that are transferable to any sector plus additional business knowledge relevant to accountancy. You will also develop business communications and lifelong learning skills, applying what you learn on the course to the wider industry context.
- Teaching & Assessment
This course is assessed through a total of two computer-based exams, one taken at the end of each unit.
- Health, Safety & Well-Being
Runshaw College is committed to ensuring you have a happy, successful and productive time with us – ensuring your health, safety and well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
We proactively encourage the disclosure of any disabilities or issues which may impact on your learning experience – this can be at interview, enrolment, or at any other stage during your studies. Any information you disclose will be held in strict confidence and will be used to assess your in-class support needs and inform a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) to ensure your safe evacuation from the College in the event of an emergency. If you would like further information, please contact Course Enquiries on 01772 642040.
- National Careers Service
For guidance about what careers subjects can lead on to please follow this link to the National Careers Service.
- FAQs - Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
I do not have my GCSE/Functional Skills English/Maths, can I still study the course?
No, due to the complexity of the course; you must have GCSE or Functional Skills.
Blended course – do I have to live locally to Runshaw College to enrol to this course?
As part of the course requirements, you will be expected to attend college in person for the planned lessons and to sit the exams. Therefore, it is essential that you can travel to the site when needed.
Blended course – as this is an online self-paced course can I enrol any time through the year and catch up?
No, the module exam dates are set externally by the awarding body and must be completed within the course duration. If you enrol after the start date you may miss the exams.
Do classes take place throughout the year?
No, Runshaw College observes term times in line with local education. A full college calendar will be provided upon enrolment.
Do I need to attend every lesson?
Yes, you must attend all lessons without fail (unless due to exceptional circumstances) as any absences will have a significant impact on your learning and achievement on the course.
Do I have to do any homework?
Students must dedicate at least 4-6 hours of online study per week as well as their fortnightly on campus sessions.
Do I have to purchase the study text books?
All required course materials are provided through the online learning platform, so no book purchases are necessary.
However, students can access relevant textbooks which are available in the college library.
