PDA-SCQF7 BOOK KEEPING

Intro to the course:

The Professional Development Award (PDA) Book-keeping at SCQF level 7 offers you an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required for book-keeping or financial administration support role within an organisation.  You will have the opportunity to develop ICT Knowledge and skills, in relation to using software packages (Sage Accounting Software) to record financial transactions and payroll processes (Sage Payroll Software).  You'll also develop skills in preparing financial information for use in decision making within an organisation.

You'll have an opportunity to develop a variety of core skills: 

• Communication
• Numeracy
• Information and Communication Technology
• Problem Solving

The PDA will provide you with a vehicle to formalise your skills or as a CPD tool.

Specific aims of the award are:

• to develop technical and administrative knowledge relevant to book-keeping and financial accounting practice
• to develop manual book-keeping skills
• to develop skills using commercially produced financial accounting software to record accounting transactions, prepare accounting reports and process the payroll
• to develop skills  in basic payroll procedures using manual and computerised systems

Who is the course for?

The PDA Book-keeping is suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

• candidates employed in the accounting or business services sector who wish to enhance their career prospects
• candidates in employment seeking  a vehicle for CPD
• adult returners to education
• candidates undertaking the HNC Accounting or HNC Administration and Information Technology

What will I study?

The course consists of three units which are part of the HNC Accounting, as follows:

• recording financial information
• using financial accounting software (Sage Accounting)
• payroll (Sage Payroll)

Next Step Course Options

Candidates who successfully complete this PDA may undertake further related PDAs or HN Units to build up their qualifications towards a full HNC Accounting.

How will I be assessed?

Candidates are assessed by both closed-book supervised practical exercises and open-book supervised practical exercises.

Why should I choose this course?

This course is very suitable for developing book-keeping skills that employers are looking for.  Employers recommend this qualification as an appropriate training route and it is a “stepping stone” to gain further qualifications.

Where can this course lead?

The PDA Book-Keeping will prepare candidates for employment within the accounting and business services sector.  The types of positions which may be taken up by candidates include:

• accounting assistants
• financial administrators
• payroll clerks

What are the entry requirements?

Access to the award will be at the discretion of the centre.  In general, entry should be open to any candidate who can demonstrate, by formal qualifications or experience, a reasonable expectation of successfully completing the award.  It would be beneficial for candidates to be competent in communication, numeracy and IT skills.

For candidates where English is not their first language it is recommended that they possess English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL) level 5 or a score of 5.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

What are the interview arrangements?

Candidates will be invited to an informal information and enrolment session.  No formal interview.