I am looking into the possiblity of taking a distance learning course via Ideal Schools (I previously took my IAB Levels 1 and 2 Certificates in Bookeeping with them).
There is a Sage Instant Accounts Certification offered but there is no exam with this just Sage Certification so if I do want to do the Sage Computerised Bookkeeping one and take the exam this is with ICB and I am not registered with them.
My question is, if I have my membership with IAB, what happens if I take an exam with ICB? I went with IAB originally as they offered more courses compared with ICB but I think they are both on a par in terms of their standing within the industry.
I guess with most associations, they expect you to stick with them for the duration, so if you take exams with one, you may be lucky in getting exemptions from another, to the same standard. You cannot chop and change and choose which exams you like from which association, so if you have already started with IAB, I would suggest sticking with them, unless you are unhappy with them!
You have to choose which body you are a member of.
However you can get exemptions from ICB to IAB but not sure if you can IAB to ICB, they might tell you at the ICB if you contact them..
I have been a member of ICB for a few years but have found them unprofessional - paid for practising certificate but had to really chase for it (they claimed that because they sent it I must have received it, they had never heard of post going missing within Royal Mail, I only eventually got my practising certificate after I threatened to go to Trading Standards, and other unprofessional dealings with them I am in the process of joining the IAB.
