Control accounts
Prepare and reconcile sales and purchases ledger control accounts using summary information.
AAT Level 2 · POBC
Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
Strengthen the accuracy of bookkeeping records through control accounts, reconciliations, journals and correction of errors.
Unit overview
Understand the method, not just the answer.
POBC takes the records created in bookkeeping and asks how a business checks, reconciles and corrects them. The unit rewards a methodical approach: calculate the expected balance, compare it with the records and explain the correcting entry.
Use this page as a starting point for your revision. Work through the topic areas, identify where confidence is lowest and combine independent practice with the linked downloads and free sessions.
Key topics
What to focus on in POBC.
These topic summaries provide a revision map rather than a replacement for the current AAT specification and your training-provider materials.
Bank reconciliation
Compare the cash book with the bank statement and identify timing differences and errors.
Journals
Use journals to record corrections and adjustments with clear narratives.
Errors and suspense accounts
Identify errors that affect or do not affect the trial balance and clear suspense balances.
Irrecoverable debts and allowances
Record write-offs and allowances for doubtful receivables using the correct entries.
Bookkeeping systems and controls
Recognise the controls that protect records, reduce errors and improve the reliability of information.
How to revise this unit
- 1Learn a standard layout for each reconciliation and use it every time.
- 2Separate timing differences from errors before preparing a bank reconciliation.
- 3For journal questions, state the debit, credit and narrative in that order.
- 4Check whether an error affects the trial balance before using a suspense account.
Common pitfalls
- !Reversing the treatment of unpresented payments and outstanding lodgements.
- !Posting a correction without first removing the incorrect entry.
- !Using a suspense account for an error that does not cause the trial balance to disagree.
Free revision posters
Revision posters for POBC.
Posters published for this unit appear here automatically. Open a poster to view it online or download the PDF for personal study.
Learn live
Upcoming sessions for POBC.
Published events matching this unit appear automatically. When no direct match exists, the page may show another session at the same level.
ExamReady
POBC practice questions and a timed mock, from 27 October.
This is independent revision support and is not produced, endorsed or approved by AAT. Always check the current AAT specification, assessment information and your training-provider guidance.