I passed my foundation AAT last June and then due to pressure of work and family decided to take a year out. I have been working as a book-keeper for 2 ltd co's for the last 18 months and I love it. I was going to go back and do the intermediate AAT in Sept but am still worried about fitting it in around my other commitments and was wondering about a different course instead. I am quite happy to stay a book-keeper and do not wish to become an accounting technician or an accountant so if I choose not to continue with the AAT could I do ICB or IAB and at what level would I go on? Also what are the differences between ICB and IAB?
If you google ICB and IAB you should be able to find the websites to have a look for yourself.
There are many discussions on this subject on forums of which to go for.
I went for ICB but am intending changing to IAB as soon as my membership expires with the ICB. Was happy until recently when I found the attitude of ICB had greatly changed and the support that was their for members is not there anymore. There is a thread further down the bookkeeping training qualifications part of the forum titled What would you do which has peoples opinions on this subject.
I think from what I have heard and read that AAT qualification is one of the best. But if you want to obtain another bookkeeping qualification I would go for either IAB as their qualifications are nationally recognised, with your aat foundation qualification you could probably go straigt to the iab diploma in bookkeeping. Also, there is the OCR bookkeeping qualifications which are also nationally recognised and most colleges etc offer part time evening courses which are much cheaper than the home study courses, plus you are meeting other people that you can discuss your course material with etc. You should find that most local colleges offer IAB and OCR courses.
