You can take the level II computerised paper after completeing level I, you do NOT need to take level II manual before this. Then you can apply for a practicing certificate from ICB.
The ICB say on their website that they recommend people do the level II manual before doing the computerised exam. I did manual I then the computerised II, I passed but I think in retrospect, for me personally it would've been better to do the manual II first. The tendancy is to rush to get qualifications but if you leave gaps in your knowledge the certificate aint much good! I used this book as practice before I took the exam... http://www.osbornebooksshop.co.uk/itemdisplay.php?itemid=47.
I haven't got Sage so I used Businessware; you could try practising with MS Accounting 2008 Express edition (which is free) before you start buying any software. As long as you can produce the reports etc they ask for in the exam you can use any accounts software.
I went straight to Level II comptuerised after completing the Level I as I had already experience doing both types, and wanted to gain my practicing certificate in the quickest time to set up solo.
Of course, if you are starting from scratch, the best way to gain knowledge is as `Robbiew` has pointed out, do both levels at manual before starting the computerised levels.
I bought a single user Sage from Amazon about 18mths ago for my husbands business and used this to practice upon before finally setting up his business. However, the free version of MS Accounting is a good package to use to get you started.
As you have been using Businessware, so which software version you used? Businessware or Businessware Pure Accounts or Businessware Duo? What's the difference between these or which one is recommneded for the Level 2 Computerized exam? The prices seems to be better than Sage.
Also if any one can confirm that MS Accounting 2008 Express can be used for final exam of Level 2?
I have the full version of Businessware. The pure accounts version doesn't include invoicing/purchase orders, stock control amongst a few other options. Businessware duo can be used by two users sharing the same info over a network. Having used MS Accounting 2008 Express, it would be a good alternative to use for the exam as well. The reports you are asked to produce in the exam can be produced using MS Accounting and are very similar to those produced by Sage. If you are thinking of taking the exam, I would suggest buying a past exam/answer paper from the ICB (£5), and enter the data into Express. You can then compare your outputs with the answers from the past paper. It's the cheapest way of finding out if it's suitable for doing the exam with!
