AAT Lecturer/Tutor
What the job involves
As an AAT Lecturer / Tutor, your role would focus on delivering high quality teaching across the AAT qualification to students, helping them to achieve to the highest standards possible. You may also have the opportunity to teach on short course programmes and events. Your day-to-day duties could include:
- Developing lesson plans and materials in line with course aims and objectives
- Running one-to-one/small group revision sessions
- Interviewing students prior to enrolment onto programmes
- Marking student exam papers and coursework
- Meeting students to discuss academic progress and provide career support
- Attending open days, careers events and recruitment drives on behalf of your employer
- Writing termly reports on student progress and writing references where required
- Liaising with parents and carers where necessary
- Contributing to team meetings and quality assurance cycles
Personal qualities
All teachers should have a passion for the subject that they teach, and most employers will look for someone who is confident with people and able to motivate students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Employers will expect excellent written and spoken communication skills, and the creativity required to develop learning activities and materials.
Working conditions
Further education lecturers are usually based in colleges, education centres, prisons or offices; with standard weekday working hours (30-40 hours per week). Depending on the role you wish to undertake, you could be expected to work evenings and weekends on occasion. Part-time jobs and temporary positions are also often available. You could be required to travel in order to visit businesses if you are helping students undertaking the qualifications as part of an apprenticeship.
Qualifications and training
Holding an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification is desirable to demonstrate competency in the subject.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) also offers a similar Qualification, of which all 3 levels must be passed in order to qualify.
A relevant teaching qualification will be required by most employers. If you do not hold a relevant teaching qualification, you may still be put forward for a position if your skills and experience are relevant; only you would be expected to study towards the qualification whilst on the job.
What qualifications do I need to start training as an AAT Tutor?
You will usually need to hold a qualification in the AAT subject you wish to teach, to the level at which you wish to teach at. You will also need to hold a relevant teaching qualification, such as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. In addition, demonstrating entry level educational competence by holding the Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English (or equivalent) would be essential.
Getting into the profession
Entry criteria for teaching AAT programmes will vary from centre to centre, therefore you will need to hold the formal qualifications required by your selected training provider. It would be best to identify the approved AAT training providers nearest to you and discuss your background with them. Common entry requirements may include holding relevant finance and teaching qualifications, or having significant work experience in the finance industry.
Although previous teaching experience is often useful, it is worth noting that many employers do not usually advertise teaching experience as an essential requirement. This may be because the providers have their own teacher training programmes to support new teaching staff as their career develops.
You will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing work as a lecturer.
Salary and benefits
Starting salaries are usually around £24,000, with experienced lecturers boasting an earning potential of up to £40,000. Part-time hourly rates vary between £15 and £35 per hour.
Progression
As you gain experience, it is possible to take on managerial responsibilities, maybe even overseeing the progress of other lecturers or managing the lecturing team as a whole. If you are working for a college you could work your way up to head of department. There is also scope to become an assessor, verifier or examiner.