From self-doubt to success: How Shenica became a qualified bookkeeper thanks to AAT and MTS

When 26-year-old Shenica looked back at her early twenties, she often wondered if she’d made a mistake by not going to university. “Everyone around me seemed to have a degree and a career plan,” she recalls. “I just knew I loved maths and spreadsheets; but I didn’t know how to turn that into something real.”

Today, Shenica is a qualified AAT bookkeeper; building a stable career and working with interesting clients, dealing with the day-to-day financial records. Her secret? The AAT qualification pathway and her decision to book her AAT exams with MTS.

What is AAT – And why it's perfect for people like Shenica

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is one of the UK’s most respected professional bodies for accounting support staff. AAT qualifications are recognised by employers nationwide; and best of all, they offer a respectable non-university route to well-paid jobs in finance, bookkeeping, payroll, and beyond.

Shenica, who studied from home using self-paced online resources, found the AAT route to be affordable, flexible, and focused on real-world skills.

A breakdown of the AAT Qualification Pathway

AAT qualifications are split into three progressive levels; designed to take you from beginner to qualified accounting technician.

Level 2 – Foundation Certificate in Accounting

Ideal for newcomers to accounting, this level covers:

1. Introduction to Bookkeeping
2. Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
3. Principles of Costing
4. The Business Environment

Level 3 – Advanced Diploma in Accounting

This intermediate level is another step up, and includes:

1. Business Awareness
2. Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
3. Management Accounting Techniques
4. Tax Processes for Businesses

Level 4 – Professional Diploma in Accounting

The highest level of being AAT-qualified, covering:

Mandatory Units:

1. Applied Management Accounting
2. Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements
3. Internal Accounting Systems and Controls

Optional Units (choose any two):

1. Personal Tax
2. Business Tax
3. Audit and Assurance
4. Cash and Financial Management
5. Credit and Debt Management

At each stage, Shenica scheduled her exam sittings with MTS; a process she described as "incredibly smooth and reassuring, even when I was nervous."

Why Shenica chose MTS for her AAT exams

“Because I was doing distance online learning, I didn’t have access to a local college or training centre,” she says. “So I needed an exam provider that really supported independent learners like me. That’s how I found out about MTS, an independent exam company offering AAT exams across the UK.”

MTS has been delivering AAT exams for over 3 years; proudly supporting thousands of self-studiers and course-led students alike.

MTS offers 10 convenient AAT exam locations across the UK:

1. Belfast
2. Birmingham
3. Brighton
4. Cardiff
5. Coventry
6. Edinburgh
7. Glasgow
8. London
9. Milton Keynes
10. Nottingham

MTS also offers:

1. Comfortable, quiet testing environments
2. Easy online booking
3. Experienced staff who understand exam nerves
4. Fast turnaround on results and support

For Shenica, being able to take her exams in a real, secure testing centre gave her peace of mind and boosted her performance.

“Each venue I used was professional, clean, and calm. I never felt like just a number,” she says.

How much more can AAT-Qualified Professionals earn?

One of Shenica’s biggest motivations was salary. “I wanted financial independence; I hope to start a family with my husband and eventually do part-time work, so I wanted to earn a good salary.” she explains.

Here’s what the data says:

Qualification Level	Average UK Salary*
No qualifications	£22,000 - £25,000
AAT Level 3	£27,000 - £32,000
AAT Level 4	£33,000 - £38,000+
Senior AAT Members (MAAT)	£40,000+

*Figures from AAT and Reed Salary Guide (2024)

So while Shenica may have missed out on university, she’s now earning more than some of her friends who went to university. Shenica now has a clear path to become a chartered accountant if she chooses to continue.

Are you ready to start your AAT journey?

Whether you're like Shenica (studying independently), or enrolled in a training course, MTS is here to help you succeed.

With 10 UK-wide locations; an excellent track record; and thousands of successful test takers, MTS is your trusted partner for AAT exam delivery. MTS’s exam fees range from just £50 for an apprenticeship exam, rising to £130 for the highest-level exam.

Book your AAT exam with MTS today and take the next step in your accounting career.

Still have questions? Contact our team at aat@mtsglobal.uk.com for advice on which level is right for you or how to schedule your first exam.