AAT · unit
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls | AAT Level 2
This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from studying Introduction to Bookkeeping and explores control accounts, journals and reconciliations.
1 hour 30 minutes
Exam length
70%
Pass mark
Computer-based exam
Format
On demand throughout the year
Sittings
Start studying Principles of Bookkeeping Controls | AAT Level 2 for free
Create a free account and start with the fundamentals — no card required.
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls — overview
This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from studying Introduction to Bookkeeping and explores control accounts, journals and reconciliations. It takes students through a number of processes used in bookkeeping that help verify and validate the entries made. These processes enable the student to understand the purpose of control accounts and associated reconciliations. Students will also understand the use of the journal to the stage of redrafting the trial balance, following initial adjustments.
This unit covers procedures that are required to ensure bookkeeping is completed beyond purely entering or processing initial transactions, which will enable students to develop their understanding of the relationship between the various accounting records and consolidate their knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping.
Students will develop the ability to prepare the value added tax (VAT) control account as well as the receivables and payables ledger control accounts, including reconciliation with the receivables and payables ledgers. They will use the journal to record a variety of transactions, including the correction of errors. Students will be able to redraft the initial trial balance, following adjustments. They will learn to update the cash book following receipt of a bank statement, and also how to prepare a bank reconciliation statement.
Completing the Level 2 Certificate opens the door to entry-level finance roles such as Accounts Administrator, Accounts Assistant, Accounts Payable Clerk, Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk, Trainee Accounting Technician, or Trainee Finance Assistant — and it builds the double-entry foundation you need to progress to Level 3.
Learning outcomes
What you'll be able to do.
01
Use control accounts
02
Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book
03
Use the journal
04
Produce trial balances
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls syllabus
The topics you'll cover in Principles of Bookkeeping Controls and their assessment weightings.
Use control accounts
25%
Use control accounts
25%- Receivables ledger control account and reconciliation
- Payables ledger control account and reconciliation
- VAT control account
- Bank statement reconciliation
Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book
25%
Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book
25%- Purpose and format of the journal
- Correcting errors (omission, commission, principle, compensating)
- Narrations and running the suspense account
Use the journal
25%
Use the journal
25%- Drawing up an initial trial balance
- Identifying errors that prevent the TB from balancing vs those it won't catch
- Using the suspense account to investigate and clear imbalances
Produce trial balances
25%
Produce trial balances
25%- Accruals, prepayments, and closing inventory adjustments
- Extended trial balance layout
- Opening and closing the ledgers at year-end
Subscription includes
What's included with your subscription.
Everything you get when you subscribe — across every AAT paper, not just Principles of Bookkeeping Controls | AAT Level 2.
Guided study plans
Week-by-week plans aligned to your sitting date — so you always know what to study next.
Video lectures
Full syllabus coverage from expert tutors, broken into focused 10-15 minute lessons.
CBE practice questions & mocks
Realistic computer-based exam questions and full mocks, marked with examiner-style feedback.
1-2-1 sessions
Book one-to-one time with a tutor for tricky topics, results reviews, or exam strategy.
Revision Bootcamp
Pre-sitting intensives to sharpen question technique and pin down high-mark topics.
Weekly student-support webinars
Drop-in calls where tutors walk through tough topics and answer questions live.
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls exam format
Everything you need to know about how Principles of Bookkeeping Controls is assessed.
Duration
1 hour 30 minutes
Format
Computer-based exam
Structure
4 learning outcomes, assessed by a single computer-based exam.
Sittings
On demand throughout the year
Pass mark
70%
How to pass Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
Expert tips from Learnsignal's AAT tutors to help you prepare effectively.
Know your control accounts inside out
Receivables, payables, and VAT control accounts get tested every sitting. Draw them out by hand in practice — you need to see the structure, not just read about it.
Master the journal for corrections
A big chunk of marks comes from correcting errors using the journal. Practise the full set: omission, commission, principle, original entry, reversal, compensating, and how the suspense account reconciles.
Reconcile carefully — show the workings
Bank reconciliations, supplier statement reconciliations, and control account reconciliations all follow the same logic: start with one balance, adjust for timing differences and errors, reach the other balance. Lay out your workings clearly.
Understand the trial balance's role
The trial balance is the output of the bookkeeping system and the input to financial statements. Know what it catches, what it doesn't, and how a suspense account is used when it doesn't balance.
Practise digital and manual in parallel
The Q2022 spec explicitly wants you to recognise when digital accounting automates these controls and when it doesn't. Expect questions testing your awareness of both worlds.
Time the exam — controls questions are detailed
1h 30m goes fast when you're drafting full control accounts and writing journal narrations. Plan roughly 15 minutes per learning outcome and stick to it.
Ready to study Principles of Bookkeeping Controls | AAT Level 2?
Full AAT access — videos, mocks, mentoring, and the study planner — included with every Learnsignal plan.
See AAT pricing →Principles of Bookkeeping Controls — frequently asked questions
Common questions about Principles of Bookkeeping Controls — what's covered, how it's assessed, and how to prepare.
What does the Principles of Bookkeeping Controls exam consist of?+
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls is assessed by a single computer-based exam lasting 1 hour 30 minutes. You'll be tested across 4 learning outcomes, with questions including multiple choice, numeric gap-fill, and task-based entries that mirror real workplace activities.
How long do I have to complete Principles of Bookkeeping Controls?+
The exam itself is 1 hour 30 minutes. Most students spend 8–12 weeks studying the unit alongside other work, but Learnsignal's on-demand content lets you go faster or slower depending on your schedule.
What's the pass mark for Principles of Bookkeeping Controls?+
AAT uses a 70% pass mark across all assessments in this qualification. Your overall qualification grade (Distinction, Merit, or Pass) is calculated from weighted unit marks and the synoptic where applicable.
Do I need prior experience to study Principles of Bookkeeping Controls?+
Not necessarily. Principles of Bookkeeping Controls is taught from first principles, but the Level 2 assumes you've completed the level below (or have equivalent experience). Use AAT Skillcheck if you're not sure you're ready.
When can I sit the exam?+
AAT exams are on-demand — you book when you're ready, at an AAT-approved assessment venue. There are no fixed exam windows. Most students sit within two weeks of finishing their last topic.
How much does the exam cost?+
Exam fees are set by AAT and by the assessment venue where you book your sit. You pay a one-off AAT student registration fee when you first enrol (covering access to the qualification for its lifespan) and then a separate fee per unit assessment at booking. For current fee figures, check AAT's fees page and your chosen training provider — figures change year on year and vary by venue, so we intentionally don't quote a fixed number here.
What materials does Learnsignal provide for Principles of Bookkeeping Controls?+
Your Learnsignal subscription includes recorded lectures, interactive quizzes, topic-by-topic notes, past-style practice questions, and full mock exams — all mapped directly to the Q2022 syllabus and accessible 24/7 from any device.
Can I resit if I fail?+
Yes. Level 2 and Level 3 unit assessments have no resit restrictions. Level 4 follows the same on-demand model. AAT keeps your highest mark, so a resit never lowers your grade — though we'd rather help you pass first time.
Ready to start Principles of Bookkeeping Controls?
Get instant access to expert tutors, comprehensive study materials, and exam-focused preparation to pass your exam.
Start free →This page was last updated: