FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
This qualification is designed with your future in mind, offering more than just an education – it is a direct pathway to the financial services sector.
Whether you are entering the field or advancing your career, AIM has a proven track record of helping thousands of professionals achieve their career goals by equipping them with the job-ready, transferrable skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. These versatile skills can be applied across a range of industries, ensuring long-term career flexibility and growth.
Recognised by key industry bodies such as the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), this certification not only meets the requirements to register as a BAS agent but also enhances your credibility and employability in the accounting and bookkeeping profession.
With a strong focus on practical application, you will graduate with the confidence to prepare financial reports, lodge BAS statements, and manage payroll, all while mastering industry-standard software like Xero.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, this course also serves as a stepping stone to financial independence, providing both the practical expertise and legal knowledge needed to manage your own business operations and excel in your career.
Who Should Undertake This Qualification?
- Individuals who want to start a career as accountants, bookkeepers, or payroll officers
- Small business owners who want to run their own financial records, manage budgets and ensure compliance with legal and tax obligations
- Individuals wanting to formalise their qualifications working in finance or administration roles to enhance their career prospects or take on additional responsibilities
- Professionals from other fields looking to transition into the accounting and finance sector, this course serves as a great entry point without needing a full degree
- Those who want to become registered Business Activity Statement (BAS) agents in Australia
- A great pathway to further studies, such as Diploma of Accounting
Possible Career Outcomes*
Potential career pathways for graduates of this qualification include roles such as bookkeeper, BAS Agent, Accounts Officer, Payroll officer, Accounts Assistant, Financial Clerk, Assistant Accountant under supervision of senior accountant, Accounts Payables and Receivables officer, Financial data entry officer, Assistant Financial Controller, Tax Agent’s Assistant.
These roles provide a solid entry point into the finance industry and serve as stepping stones for more advanced positions with further qualifications and experience.
This qualification also applies to small business owners who need to manage the financial aspects of the business including bookkeeping, payroll and compliance with tax laws.
*As per data from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training as well as the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
Time Commitment
Study duration is dependent on your existing skills and experience. Typically, to complete within the specified course duration, it is recommended that students commit an approximately 10 hours towards study per week.
Study Options
Online Study
AIM provides a self-paced online study approach for VET qualifications. While this method of learning provides a flexible approach that can help integrate personal and work schedules, it’s important to study consistently to achieve study goals within the course duration.
To help you stay on track all participants in AIM courses are provided with an individual training plan. This plan is a great project baseline for your learning, and benchmark for your progress.
FNS40222 - Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping qualification uses the myAIM learning platform to provide interactive learning content, online textbook access, support forums, and access to live virtually delivered seminars, drop-in coaching sessions, and assessment workshops, all completely online. Further support is available from assigned trainers via email and by appointment. Additional information about the study materials, course duration, and support are provided to new students via online orientation sessions.
Assessments
Within the AIM assessment model, competency is demonstrated through answering knowledge questions and completing workplace-based practical assessment tasks.
These tasks may include the need to utilise workplace-based activities involving others or participation in role plays, which will need to be videoed and submitted as part of the assessment evidence. You may be expected to source and research additional materials as part of your study.
Units of Competency
These units of competency have been developed in consultation with industry experts along with our facilitators who draw upon real-life case studies and examples to ensure the knowledge you gain is practical and applicable to your role.
This table below reflects the core units (C) and pre-selected elective units (E) of this course.
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| MODULE 1 - WORK IN ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING | |
| FNSACC418 | Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry - this unit builds the skills and knowledge required to work autonomously and in teams to complete work activities relating to the provision of accounting and bookkeeping services. People who occupy accounting and bookkeeping roles with some responsibility and use a range of research and organisational techniques to establish and carry out their work requirements in the accounting industry. |
| MODULE 2 - ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING ESSENTIALS WITH XERO | |
| FNSACC321 | Process financial transactions and extract interim reports - in this unit students develop skills and knowledge required to prepare and process routine financial documents, prepare and post journal entries, prepare banking and reconcile financial receipts and extract a trial balance and interim reports. |
| FNSACC322 | Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers - this unit builds skills and knowledge to reconcile and monitor accounts receivables and payables systems, identifying bad and doubtful debts, communicating with clients, panning recovery action, recording creditor invoices and remitting payment to sundry creditors. |
| FNSACC426 | Set up and operate computerised accounting systems - by the end of this unit, students will be able to establish, operate and modify an integrated computerised accounting system. This involves processing transactions in the system, maintaining the system, producing reports and ensuring system integrity. |
| MODULE 3 - PAYROLL WITH XERO | |
| FNSTPB412 | Establish and maintain payroll systems - this unit equips students with the skills and knowledge required to record and prepare payroll documentation, respond to enquiries, and process payroll data for computerised systems. This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioners Board. |
| MODULE 4 - BUSINESS TAXATION WITH XERO | |
| FNSTPB411 | Complete business activity and instalment activity statements - students develop their skills and knowledge required to process and complete business activity statements (BAS), instalment activity statements (IAS), and other required reports according to compliance requirements.pectful communications. |
| FNSACC411 | Process business tax requirements - in this unit students build the skills and knowledge to maintain business taxation accounting records, and to process lodgements and returns according to Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements, excluding income tax. Documentation for business activity statements (BAS) must be authorised by a registered BAS agent. |
| MODULE 5 - FINANCIAL REPORTING WITH XERO | |
| FNSACC421 | Prepare financial reports - by the end of this unit, students will be able to record general journal adjustment entries and to prepare end of period financial reports. Applies to individuals responsible for preparing financial reports or providing administrative support to related tasks. |
| FNSACC414 | Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities - this unit builds the skill and knowledge required to prepare financial statements for entities that do not have a statutory duty to file financial reports with government agencies and regulators. The unit applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and systematic approaches to collate and prepare financial information in line with accounting standards. |
| MODULE 6 - OPERATIONAL BUDGETING | |
| FNSACC412 | Prepare operational budgets - by the end of this unit, students would acquire the required skills and knowledge to prepare and document operational budgets for a variety of organisations. |
| MODULE 7- LEGAL SYSTEMS AND COMPLIANCE | |
| FNSACC413 | Make decisions in a legal context - this unit introduces the learner to Australian legal systems and processes that form the foundation for a course of study in commercial law. It will assist learners in making decisions, particularly relating to compliance issues, in a legal context. |
| MODULE 8 - DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES | |
| BSBTEC404 | Use digital technologies to collaborate in a work environment - this unit helps the learner understand the fundamentals of using digital technologies to collaborate in a workplace context, including working as part of a remote team. It involves undertaking a basic review of organisational processes to identify opportunities for using digital technologies to complete work tasks more efficiently and effectively. |
| MODULE 9 - SPREADSHEETS FOR BUSINESS | |
| BSBTEC302 | Design and produce spreadsheets - this unit builds the skills and knowledge about using spreadsheet software and advanced spreadsheet techniques to improve productivity at work. |
Additional Information
Completion of the FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping gives you the opportunity to explore further qualification opportunities such as the:
- FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting
- BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management
For more information, speak to one of our Senior Training Advisors on 1300 658 337.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for enrolment at AIM into FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping you must:
- have a minimum of two years equivalent full-time workplace experience
- be 18 years of age or older at the time of enrolment
- be technologically literate and have access to the Microsoft Office suite or equivalent
- have continuous internet access
- have access to a workplace
- have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) number (you can receive a USI or check if you already have one by visiting www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi)
- have the ability to read and write English and display numeracy skills to at least Year 10 level.
Find out more about the AIM Student Entry Procedure.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of skills and knowledge gained through previous studies, work and life experiences may be used to award competency for Units of Competency within this qualification. Read more on Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer or call 1300 658 337.
Payment Options
Complete the enquiry form below or call 1300 658 337 to learn more about the following payment options and tuition fees.
- Pay upfront for the full cost of your qualification in one easy payment.
- Defer all or part of your tuition fees with flexible payment options through AIM's finance partner, zipMoney.
- Funding options may be available in your state, please contact us for more information.
