\[a^{2} + 4a + 3 = a^{2} + 4a + 4 - 1 =\]
\[= (a + 2)^{2} - 1^{2} =\]
\[= (a + 2 - 1)(a + 2 + 1) =\]
\[= (a + 1)(a + 3).\]