Like many other people on here I am wondering what course to choose and direction to go in. I would like your opinion on the Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting B190 course with The Open University. The reason I am thinking of choosing this course as it gives me two directions to go in afterwards.
The 1st is Bookkeeping, when on completion of this course, it will accredited by the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB). The course provides exemption from both their Level 2 Certificate in Book-keeping and also their Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and Advanced Book-keeping. Therefore on successful completion I will be able to apply to become Members of the IAB. Then hopefully if I am successful and enjoy the course I can look at Level 4 and other IAB courses.
OR
The 2nd is that it allows me to move into the Professional Certificate in Accounting K01 which is the basic entry into studying for CIMA.
I see that a lot of people on this site recommend AAT but I will not be working in UK while studying and believe you need part experience to complete this examination (Maybe wrong)
I am also put off the ICB route as I have read a lot of negativity about them on this site.
The reasons I am studying are to purely benefit me and to show educational value on my CV. I have had a lot of experience as an accounts assistant in the UK and Spain but now live in Norway. (For a while!Long story!)
Please advise as the thoughts and experiences of this site would be a great benefit
-- Edited by Marcosis on Monday 15th of March 2010 07:52:39 PM
Course B190 is an excellent introduction to bookkeeping.
It is basically the same course as the AAT ABC bookkeeping course which is also produced by EQL for BPP professional education.
B190 used to be the pre cursor to the Open University Certificate in Accountancy (course B680).
This course became ridiculously expensive and has now been broken down into three modules rather than the one 52 week course.
Personally I think that you are right to go IAB espechially considering that the IAB qualification is recognised by the ACCA where the ICB one is not.
As far as your CV goes the best thing that you could have on it would be AAT. I don't know what the format of the new qualification is going to be but, B190 should give you exemption from the foundation level anyway.
Alternatively have you thought about the CAT qualification from the ACCA? Its the equivalent of AAT but is all exams without the skills tests.
Personally I rate ACCA more than CIMA but whichever you choose taking the above routes will give exemptions form some of the initial exams. For example. Passing CAT gives exemption from the first three ACCA papers.
Sure that I've given you loads to think about there. When you've formulated some questions in relation to the above just post them and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Like many other people on here I am wondering what course to choose and direction to go in. I would like your opinion on the Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting B190 course with The Open University. The reason I am thinking of choosing this course as it gives me two directions to go in afterwards.
The 1st is Bookkeeping, when on completion of this course, it will accredited by the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB). The course provides exemption from both their Level 2 Certificate in Book-keeping and also their Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and Advanced Book-keeping. Therefore on successful completion I will be able to apply to become Members of the IAB. Then hopefully if I am successful and enjoy the course I can look at Level 4 and other IAB courses.
OR
The 2nd is that it allows me to move into the Professional Certificate in Accounting K01 which is the basic entry into studying for CIMA.
I see that a lot of people on this site recommend AAT but I will not be working in UK while studying and believe you need part experience to complete this examination (Maybe wrong)
I am also put off the ICB route as I have read a lot of negativity about them on this site.
The reasons I am studying are to purely benefit me and to show educational value on my CV. I have had a lot of experience as an accounts assistant in the UK and Spain but now live in Norway. (For a while!Long story!)
Please advise as the thoughts and experiences of this site would be a great benefit
-- Edited by Marcosis on Monday 15th of March 2010 07:52:39 PM
A THIRD option is that having completed this course you could persevere with the OU and study for their Certificate in Accounting, although I believe it's not that well known a qualifcation amongst employers.
This has now been broken down into two modules: Financial Accounting and Management Accounting.
On completion of both modules you would be awarded the Certificate in Accounting.
However, I don't think this new version of the qualification launches until the end of this year / beginning of next.
On successfully completing the course, it's also highly likely that you would be awarded exemptions from the main accounting bodies although it's my understanding these are still to be determined.
As a starting point I think you both seem to think that the Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting B190 is a sound stepping stone to start from and I do like the open options it can give me at a later date (i.e. either level 4 bookkeeping IAB or continue with a accountancy Course). As I stated, at this moment in time I am living in Norway and the recognition of the qualification will not be recognised but the training will be respected. Which will help with future employment (I hope!)
Thanks again Marc
-- Edited by Marcosis on Wednesday 17th of March 2010 09:56:12 AM
I guess it depends on what you want to do - and what you want to get out of it.
AAT is international - not limited to the UK. You also get ACCA and CIMA exemptions doing the AAT. As such, doing the Open Uni or AAT ABC is a good choice. As mentioned on another post, I used BPP's ABC package (very reasonable at £175 plus you can preview their material/demo online) and you can master the 18 modules is less than a month! What I didn't know (before joining this site) is that it gives AAT Level 1 exemption.
I am pursuing a business degree at the Open Uni, and might consider doing accounting track subjects (Financial and Management mentioned above). Very useful! Even more so as it's core to CFA Level 1, core to doing an MBA and is essentially the syllabus for the first three ACCA exams.
If you want to make your CV look better, then I would say... AAT ABC - as this then implies "AAT part-qualified" :D Plus, given your extensive experience, you'll complete it quickly. But I'm sure the more experienced others here will come along and advise.
I see that a lot of people on this site recommend AAT but I will not be working in UK while studying and believe you need part experience to complete this examination (Maybe wrong)
You only need part experience if you want MAAT status, you need to have a years worth of work signed off, the course itself can be done with simulations (though it's all changing and no information can be gleaned as to what will be happening only that they are scrapping NVQ's).
If you struggle to get to a place to sit simulations then you can nominate someone to assess the simulation for you ensuring you have no access to answers in the room your in.
Basically it can be done you just need to contact the AAT to look into it.
This course will also give you an introduction to double entry which for me personally is more important than an introduction to book-keeping though I'm absolutely certain there would be people that would disagree
Back again and still the same question, but specific to my circumstances.
Looking to start bookkeeping as a career, but no time to aim higher. Thinking of contracting and/or opening a bookeeping business.
Just started on the OU B190 course and so far it seems quite easy. If I pass, I get IAB Member status and practising licence ?
Query - which course providers should I approach for the "extras" (SAGE, Payroll and Self Assessments certifications) ? Distance Learning do not provide any IAB courses.
Reason for this query is it seems some courses may be recognised by ICB, but not IAB, AAT, etc. Is that true ?
cheers
-- Edited by ProBowlUK on Monday 10th of May 2010 02:42:45 PM
Ideal Schools provides IAB courses distance learning. I studied with them( i did ICB), good tutors,good price and they were always very helpful...I can,t recommend others as i don,t know them.
IAB website (like AAT) mentions "2 years experience". Does that prevent people practicing immediately after qualifying ?
Bob,
I've had a look at the IAB website and my reading of it is that you only require the 2 years membership for the higher (fellowship status) level of membership.
Providing you've passed the relevant exams you can still become a member without the 2 years practical experience.
