Premier Training
Premier Training is a UK distance learning provider of AAT accounting and bookkeeping qualifications, serving career changers, working professionals, and employers via online courses, live lessons, and apprenticeships. Founded in 1998; named AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year 2024 and 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSouth Killingholme, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Premier Training does
Premier Training, operated by Premier Books Limited, is a UK-based distance learning provider founded in 1998 that specializes in AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) accounting and bookkeeping qualifications. The company serves individual learners and UK employers through a portfolio of six core AAT courses spanning Levels 1-4 in Accounting and Bookkeeping, priced from £199 to £729, plus Premier Prime live lesson packages, AAT apprenticeships (Accounting and Credit Control), Sage and Xero short courses, and a Premier XP work experience programme. The offering is delivered via the proprietary MyPTA online learning portal, supported by Premflix video tutorials, printed coursebooks dispatched next working day, and tutor communication channels including email, phone, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams. Premier Training holds AAT Approved Centre status and was named AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year in 2024 and 2025, plus PQ Magazine Online College of the Year in 2025.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market primarily through inside sales (phone with extended Mon-Fri 9am-8pm and Saturday hours) and an e-commerce shop powered by Worldpay, supplemented by email, WhatsApp, and invoice enrolment for employer-funded apprenticeships. Revenue is generated predominantly through one-time course fees with 0% interest-free monthly payment plans, alongside a recurring-revenue apprenticeship stream funded through English apprenticeship schemes. Customer acquisition is driven by a multi-channel digital marketing mix including SEO, a content blog, paid Facebook advertising, YouTube, Spotify/radio presence, organic social on Facebook and LinkedIn, AAT directory listings, and referral/word-of-mouth.
Target customer segments include career changers entering accountancy, working professionals seeking formal advancement, aspiring self-employed bookkeepers, and English employers seeking funded apprenticeship delivery. The company has supported 'thousands of students' over 28+ years and operates with a small 11-50 employee headcount. Leadership disclosed includes Rose Crockett (Operations Director) and Angela Renshaw (Director of Apprenticeships); no external institutional investors, PE ownership, or funding rounds are referenced in available data.
Premier Training firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Premier Training
- Legal name
- Premier Books Limited
- Website
- https://premiertraining.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Premier Training is a UK distance learning provider of AAT accounting and bookkeeping qualifications, serving career changers, working professionals, and employers via online courses, live lessons, and apprenticeships. Founded in 1998; named AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year 2024 and 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Premier Training industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Accountancy Training
- NAICS
- Business and Secretarial Schools (61141), Apprenticeship Training (611513)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)
Keywords
Where Premier Training is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South Killingholme
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Premier Training business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- AAT Course Fees: Revenue from tuition fees for AAT distance learning courses including Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 qualifications in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Courses are sold as one-time purchases with 0% interest-free payment plan options available.
- Course Bundles: Bundled packages covering multiple AAT levels at discounted rates, offering cost savings compared to individual course purchases.
- Premier Prime Live Lessons: Premium packages combining live tutor-led sessions with distance learning materials, representing a higher-tier offering.
- Short Courses and Software Training: Revenue from Sage accounting and payroll courses, with free Xero training also available as a complementary offering.
- AAT Assessment Booking: Fees for exam centre bookings and remote assessment administration for AAT qualifications.
- Apprenticeship Delivery: Fully funded AAT apprenticeships across England for individuals and employers, funded through apprenticeship schemes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AAT Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping - Entry level bookkeeping qualification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Premier Training product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Premier Training is a UK distance learning provider that sells AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) accounting and bookkeeping qualification courses from Level 1 through Level 4, delivered online via the MyPTA learning portal with printed coursebooks, pre-recorded video tutorials, and one-to-one personal tutor support. The portfolio also includes AAT Apprenticeships for individuals and employers in England, Premier Prime live lesson packages, Sage and Xero software short courses, and the Premier XP work experience programme.
Product overview
Premier Training is a distance learning education provider specialising in AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) accounting and bookkeeping qualifications. Their core product portfolio consists of six AAT courses across three qualification levels: Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping (from £199), Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounting (from £319-£499), Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Diploma in Accounting (from £349-£499), and Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting (from £729). The MyPTA Learning Portal serves as the unified digital platform delivering e-learning videos, interactive activities, and tutor-marked assignments. Premier Prime offers live lesson packages that combine distance learning with tutor-led sessions. The offering is complemented by AAT Apprenticeships, Sage and Xero short courses, and the free Premier XP work experience programme. All courses include personal tutor support, printed study materials, 0% interest-free payment options, and access to the MyPTA portal. The company has been operating since 1998 and was named AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year for 2024 and 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AAT Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping An accessible introduction to bookkeeping covering the basics of financial documents, double-entry transactions and ledger entries, delivered by distance learning to individual learners with no prior experience needed. Includes printed textbooks, MyPTA portal access and personal tutor support; priced from £199.
- AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping An employer-recognised bookkeeping qualification that builds on foundations with bookkeeping controls, bank reconciliations and VAT returns. Delivered by distance learning to individual learners with personal tutor support; priced from £319.
- AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting An entry-level AAT accounting qualification covering double-entry bookkeeping, costing, bookkeeping controls and the business environment, with no prior experience needed. Delivered by distance learning to individual learners with personal tutor support; priced from £499.
- AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping The highest standalone AAT Bookkeeping qualification, covering advanced bookkeeping, financial statements and indirect tax (VAT). Delivered by distance learning to individual learners and regarded highly by employers; priced from £349.
- AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting An intermediate AAT qualification covering financial accounting, management accounting, tax and business awareness at a more advanced level, designed as a natural progression after Level 2. Delivered by distance learning with personal tutor support; priced from £499.
- AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting The highest AAT qualification, covering complex accounting, tax, budgeting and financial performance, qualifying graduates as fully certified AAT Accounting Technicians. Delivered by distance learning with personal tutor support; priced from £729.
- AAT Apprenticeships Fully funded AAT apprenticeships across England for individuals earning while they learn, and for employers developing finance teams. Includes Accounting Apprenticeships and Credit Control Apprenticeships.
- Sage Courses Short courses in Sage accounting and payroll software, including Introduction to Sage Accounting Software and Sage Business Cloud Computerised Payroll Courses, for individuals seeking to build practical software skills.
- Premier Prime (AAT Live Lessons) A premium package combining the flexibility of distance learning with tutor-led live sessions, including live and pre-recorded lessons, printed materials and full tutor support for students seeking a more guided AAT study experience.
Quantifiable outcome
- Flexible completion times: Level 2/3 typically 8-12 months at 6-8 hours/week; Level 4 typically 12-18 months
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Premier Training
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Premier Training technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
Premier Training partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Premier Training competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BPP: One of the UK's largest private professional education providers offering AAT, ACCA, CIMA and other accountancy qualifications through classroom and online formats; competes directly with Premier Training in the AAT distance learning market but operates at materially greater scale and broader portfolio.
- Kaplan: Major UK and international education provider with a dedicated accountancy and financial training division delivering AAT, ACCA, CIMA and CFA programmes; overlaps with Premier Training on AAT qualifications and serves a similar career-changer and professional-upskilling audience.
Direct peers
- ICS Learn: UK-based distance learning college offering AAT, bookkeeping and related professional qualifications with personal tutor support; closest direct competitor by model (online DL, tutor-marked assignments, similar price points) and customer base.
- Open Study College: UK distance learning provider offering AAT accounting and bookkeeping courses among a broader portfolio; competes for the same career-changer and working-professional learner with similar online-tutor support delivery model.
- Stonebridge Associated Colleges: UK distance learning college offering AAT qualifications alongside a broad professional and vocational catalogue; competes on similar price points, online delivery, and personal tutor support.
- Pitman Training: Long-established UK training brand offering accountancy, bookkeeping and office-skills courses via blended centre-based and distance learning; competes for the same career-changer and SME learner segment.
- PETA Training & Apprenticeships: UK apprenticeship and vocational training provider with AAT apprenticeship offerings for individuals and employers; overlaps directly on the apprenticeship-funded revenue stream that is a growth lever for Premier Training.
- The Knowledge Academy: UK provider of professional training courses including accountancy and bookkeeping, with classroom-based and online delivery; competes for working professionals seeking accredited qualifications.
Emerging players
- AVADO Learning: Online professional training provider offering AAT, bookkeeping and accredited qualifications with a strong digital-first, subscription-style delivery model; competing for the same digitally-native adult learner.
Others
- Reed Courses: Large UK course marketplace that lists AAT and accountancy training programmes from multiple providers including distance learning colleges; acts as a discovery and lead-generation channel rather than a direct competitor, but influences buyer choice and price discovery.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Premier Training social profiles
Digital presencePremier Training compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Premier Training financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Premier Training leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Premier Training funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Premier Training M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Premier Training
What does Premier Training do?
Premier Training is a UK distance learning provider that sells AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) accounting and bookkeeping qualification courses from Level 1 through Level 4, delivered online via the MyPTA learning portal with printed coursebooks, pre-recorded video tutorials, and one-to-one personal tutor support. The portfolio also includes AAT Apprenticeships for individuals and employers in England, Premier Prime live lesson packages, Sage and Xero software short courses, and the Premier XP work experience programme.
Is Premier Training a public or private company?
Premier Training is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Premier Training founded?
Premier Training was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Premier Training based?
Premier Training is headquartered in South Killingholme, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Premier Training make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. AAT Course Fees are the primary driver. The others are course Bundles, premier Prime Live Lessons, short Courses and Software Training, AAT Assessment Booking and apprenticeship Delivery.
Who are Premier Training's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BPP and Kaplan. Direct peers are ICS Learn, Open Study College, Stonebridge Associated Colleges, Pitman Training, PETA Training & Apprenticeships and The Knowledge Academy. AVADO Learning is listed as an emerging player. Reed Courses is listed as an others.
Does Premier Training have an API?
No public API is recorded for Premier Training.
What industry is Premier Training in?
Premier Training's product category is Professional Accountancy Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAIAE, Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL), with a secondary code of EDAMAKAA, Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific). Its NAICS code is 61141 and its SIC code is 8200.