Overview

Accounting and finance are at the very heart of business operations. From banking to manufacturing, from huge service industries to micro businesses, the ability to manage, plan and account for money is still the ultimate measure of business success and the key driver of growth.

The objective of the Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and Business qualification is to provide learners with an understanding of accounting and business in the broader business context, and to provide them with the practical, industry-focused skills to manage business finances, budgets and cash flow effectively, and to play a key role in business growth.

Entry requirements

For entry onto the Level 4 qualification in Accounting and Business qualification, learners must possess:

• Level 3 Award/ qualification or at the level of GCE/GCSE or equivalent qualification
• The learner must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the course
• Mature learners (over 21) with management experience (learners must check with the delivery centre regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme)
• English requirement

Equivalences

Level 4 represent practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competencies that are assessed in academic terms as being equivalent to Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Year 1 of a three-year UK Bachelor’s degree programme.

Qualification structure

Level 4 qualification in Accounting and Business consists of 6 mandatory units for a combined total of 120 credits, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 480 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.

Mandatory units

• The Accountant’s Environment (20 credits)
• Quantitative Methods (20 credits)
• Financial Accounting (20 credits)
• Management Accounting (20 credits)
• Management Concepts and Practice (20 credits)
• Business Economics (20 credits)

Duration and delivery

The qualification is designed to be delivered over one academic year for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

Assessment and verification

All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor.

Progressions

Successful completion of the Level 4 qualification in Accounting and Business qualification provides learners with the opportunity for a wide range of academic progressions including progression to relevant. Level 5 qualification, including the Level 5 qualification in Accounting and Business qualification. The Level 4 qualification in Accounting and Business has been developed with career progression and professional recognition in mind.