Hi all, i know there has been many threads on this before but here we go again!!
I am looking to returning to work after having my children i have some experience in accounts depts but would like to improve on this with a bookkeeping qualification from a distance learning centre.
Home learning college are offering manual & computerised bookkeping and sage payroll for £1100.00 (ICB)
Does anyone know anything about the home learning college, the courses, and the costs?
Not sure about Home learning, but £1100 does seem a tad high
try Distance Learning Partnership each of their manual courses for ICB is about £150, so times 3 this is only about £450 (but they also do offers to buy levels 1 & 2 together and also all three as a package)
their computerised course for level 2 is about £250
a collegeaue of mine has used DLP and she has said previously that they were very good
thanks for the advice Gemma, it all seems a bit of a minefield! Some charge by the Topic, and then extra for exams and others include them! there also seems to be lots of discussion of ICB Vs other bodies?!
If you have already some accounts experience and just need to brush up on a few aspects, then I would suggest purchasing the ICBs `Practical Bookkeeping` book (see their on-site shop). This book will get you through the beginner and intermediate stages of not only the ICB but AAT and will get you through the Levels 1 and 2 manual tests.
It would also be worthwhile purchasing some ICB past exam papers at £5.00 each. This is how I did it, but it all depends on what accounts experience you have, but I would certainly recommend the book.
I did the courses you mentioned with Home Learning, personally I would go with another course provider. The tutors are terribly slow at marking and sending your assignments back, also you can never seem to get hold of them via telephone or the help forum. It took me years to complete because of the above.
There are lots of other course providers out there who offer the same for better prices, you've just got to shop about abit :)
the daughter of friend of mine has just completed her Scottish Highers and passed - one of which was in Accounts.
While waiting for her results she regiestered with the ICB sent for a mock exam for level 1, just to make sure that her Higher's syllabus was similar enough the ICB exam, decided to send for her real one the following week and now she's found out she passed with flying colours and hoping to do level 2 in October and level 3 in February - so age not withstanding she could be qualified by the end of March !!!
I'm in a similar position just starting on the learning journey. I'd recommend you look at Ideal Schools - I've done a lot of research on learning providers and they have had good feedback on the forums and are reasonably priced. I'll be going for level 1&2 ICB. The cost is £329 and includes ICB membership & exam fees - you also get 2 years of support which is handy if you have other commitments that might conflict.
Sorry - a little misinformation. Ideal Schools price doesn't include all the fees mentioned above. There's another £45 to add. Incidentally, I've ended up enrolling with DLP also because they can provide evening support apparently...if it goes pear shaped, I'll blame Gemma!
Enrolled online with DLP Weds evening and the course material arrived Friday morning...don't have time to start it until next week but i can't hold them responsible for that!
