I have no experience in payroll but i am looking to start a course in it so i can develop a career in it.
I currently work full time, so im looking at doing an evening or weekend course.
I've just had a guy from the home learning college over to discuss the payroll course. It will cost me £1260 at level 3 - ICB qualification (this will take 6 months to complete). I'm not sure if this is a good cost for it, and looking at a few of your posts it looks as though an IAB is better? Can someone tell me the difference?
I can do an IAB one at a local college for £310 but im not sure of the levels etc. I'm really confused to be honest and dont know whats best!
If you are confident at self teaching yourself, check with whichever institute exam you go with what years tax tables are needed so you know which version of the payroll package you will need to buy, buy some past papers and do research on the internet for the parts you don't know. Works out a lot cheaper then £1260.
this qualification is directly linked to Sage and is endorsed by them. It gives you the sage software and all the books needed.
so your saying it would be a lot cheaper if i apply for it through the awarding body and then buy the books seperate, i can get them second hand as well i spose and also some pass exam papers to try.
I also noticed people saying about different levels of qualifications and better recognised ones as well, between IAB, ICB and AAT.
It's all a matter of opinion but the AAT quals are probably the most widely recognised by Industry and employers although most people tend to value experience over a set of exams.
If you're going down the self employed route I'm not sure it matters since most prospective clients will probably be surprised that you've got a bookkeeping qualification at all, let alone which body it's from. Again, they're more likely to be simply looking for somebody who can look after their books competently and may not be familiar with any of the bodies mentioned.
All three of the organisations you mention are also recognised as approved bodies for the MLR requirements.
The ICB is probably better marketed than the IAB although the IAB's quals are officially recognised by the QCA (which the ICB's are not) & the IAB also offer a broader set of quals covering things such as taxation and cost accounting (not just bookkeeping), which in my opinion gives them an edge over the ICB - but that's just personal opinion!
Hi Rachael, I would agree with Alison it does seem a bit of an excessive amount to pay for the course.I done my sage payroll and paid only about a quarter of the price you have been quoted so it will pay to shop around.
Im teaching myself Ive got a copy of 12pay which is excellent and the got some books from amazon one of which was recommended to me "Payroll in 90 Minutes" Robert Leach " Once I am confident then I will probably apply to do an exam but as Im will be self employed it seems not to important to have the qualification.
Im already starting my AAT in sept so have enough exams to worry about with that. Some of these Home learn training course are far to expensive as if you are self disiplined you coulld by all the books and teach yourself at far less cost and not have the worry of student fees.
