I have worked in an accounts assistant role for 2 years but have gained very little experience (was promised but not delivered1) so I did the CIMA certificate in Business Accounting to start me off on the road to CIMA. However, many of the basics are not taught, so decided that the ICB would give me a good understanding of the basics.
I have two questions which I hope someone can help me with:-
1. Do you know which distance learning school is competitively priced and good in terms of the package provided?
2. Does the ICB offer everything I need to confidently compile the trial balance, balance sheet and P&L for tax return purposes?
One last thing - Anyone got any advice on the bookcert business kit? Is it worth getting this instead of doing ICB?
Any help on this would be much appreciated. Thanks.
I did the IAB through ICS distance learning. I think the total cost for both level 2 and 3 was about £800. I found the course well structured, although it really only covered the basics of tax. I also purchased the Bookcert Business Kit, more for the practical side of running a bookkeeping business and the technical support. I also liked the fact they built a website for me as well. I found it worth the money.
My friend has just completed a bookkeeping course at BPP which was run in conjunction with the AAT. Although it was quite expensive they said they were very impressed with it.
Thanks for the feedback. You've confirmed my doubts re ICB / IAB not giving the practical skills required for starting a bookkeeping business with confidence. Sounds like these courses offer a good grounding in accounting but what is really required is the practical everyday experience! I think still essential to obtain either of these quals in order to appear competent by clients.
Bookcert seems like a good idea. Will look into this a bit more once I've done the exams. Was the IAB all that difficult? Do you think you coud have done it without the tutor support? Was thinking I could just get the study texts and enter myself for the exams?
Like any course the IAB is demanding, but I guess compared to CIMA you should be fine with it.
To be honest I didn't really use the support offered by the ICS tutors, so I would have been ok with just the study texts. If you can afford to pay the full price for the course it may worth it if you feel you will need to contact the tutors for help. If not the study texts are pretty good by themselves.
