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Post Info TOPIC: ICB Level 1 Manual Bookkeeping Exam
peter1162


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ICB Level 1 Manual Bookkeeping Exam
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Hi Neil

I can imagine that this exam is not going to be difficult, have finished all the courseworks for HLC and have been sent the mock exam for Level 1 Manual.  Is it similiar to the ICB exam or are they totally different?

Is it worth while ordering the ICB past paper and doing that before doing the exam?

Thanking you in anticipation

Peter



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Neil


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Hi Peter

The HLC Mocks are not too different from the ICB Level I paper I sat. Don't forget you'll have 2 weeks to complete it with access to your books. There's no need to fret about it wink

Cheers and good luck

Neil

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peter1162


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Hi Neil

Thank you for your e-mail.

Am not worried about it, but just like to prepare for exams thoroughly so you get through the first time with no complications.

Congratulations on passing your Manual Level 2, when are you taking Manual Level 3?

Kind regards

Peter

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Neil


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Hi Peter

I will be sitting Level III Manual in June. I've just self-tutored and passed Level II computerised and hope to do the Level III computerised in the next month. I've sent off to HMRC so I can get an agent number and obtain the Self Assessmnet Manual so I can do the ICB Self Assessment qualification. Then it's Payroll and after that I'll move on to AAT.

In the mean time I'm hoping to get my practice off the ground but I can't believe what a mission it is to open a business bank account. No-one seems to be interested in my money!

Cheers
Neil

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peter1162


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Hi Neil

The best responses that I had were from Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland.  Barclays even offered Sage free of charge.


hey were very interested, you have to use words like Business Plan and other small business buzz words.

What part of the country do you live in?

We have got our business named and working on the Plan.

Kind regards

Peter

-- Edited by peter1162 on Wednesday 17th of March 2010 05:54:29 PM

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Neil


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Hi Peter

I'm in Nottinghamshire. I decided to go with Lloyds simply because they are offering free banking for the first 18 months.

Cheers
Neil

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Wella


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Neil wrote:

............. I've sent off to HMRC so I can get an agent number and obtain the Self Assessmnet Manual so I can do the ICB Self Assessment qualification.......

 

Morning Neil

Can I ask? When did you send off for your SA agent number?

I sent mine in exactly one month ago and haven't had a response yet.

Has anyone else made an application, and how long did it take? 

Regards

Bill

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Neil


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Morning Bill

Yes, I posted the letter yesterday to the Long Benton address. Is that same place you wrote to?

Cheers
Neil

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Wella


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Cheers Neil

Yep that's the place.

Bit early for you to expect a reply just yet, I think

Bill



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Neil


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I've got June in my diary no

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peter1162


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Hi Neil

They all offer free banking for 18 months, just some banks offer more than others.  I would seriously look at Barcalys they were  very good with me.

One difference might be location, I am based in London, and I found that the Banks could not do enough for you.  It sounds a bit different up in Nottinghamshire.

Kind regards

Peter

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Neil


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Hi Peter

I've pretty much decided to go with Lloyds and made an appointment.

It's hard to forget old feelings when it comes to banks. I banked with Barclays from the day of my first paycheck at 14 until I was 25 and they refused to offer me a mortgage which I was offered by a building society who didn't know me from Adam. I closed my account that week and moved to another bank.

I know policies change and branches vary but I still loathe Barclays to this day. That said, I don't get the impression that any Bank really wants my business.

Cheers
Neil

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stephen72


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Hi,
I originally went with barclays for my business account but as my free banking period is due to end i couldn,t bring myself to pay them the cahrges for running the account the local business manager just doesn't want to know you and it takes her days to get back to you with any queries.
I have switched to santander who are offering free business banking for as long as you have the account open.like all things there are conditions the main ones are that you make deposits via the atm machines likewise with withdrawals and there are limits which you will be charged if you exceed but this will be fine for me as i will be no where near the limits but direct debits and standing orders and debit card transactions are all free.
It may be wortha look at.

stephen

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Neil


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Thanks, Stephen. That's interesting.

I've made a mental note of Santander of future reference. They didn't even come on my radar, to be honest.

Cheers
Neil

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Shamus


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Hi Neil, hi Stephen,

as someone who has worked with all but one of the high street banks could I recommend RBS.

Although they took over Nat West (in a goldfish eating a whale sort of way) there are still two quite distinct mentalities with RBS the more approachable of the two.

With all of the banks although most of the decisions have been taken away from branch staff you will still find variances in attitude from branch to branch rather than just bank to bank.

Another bank that you might consider as they do work with a lot of small businesses is ANZ. The retail arms of this Australian bank in the UK are Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank.

Always see bank managers face to face rather than just chatting on the phone.

Arrange to see several small business managers in the same town rather than concentrating on one bank.

You really need for your bank manager to see this as a real business. When you see them dress in a suit... And not a £29.99 one from Tesco!

Have a realistic business plan properly formatted with ratio's, realistic turnover figures and an achievable five year plan. Try to keep it at less than 12 pages and it always looks more professional if it's properly bound as well.

Emphasise in your meeting that you will be working with start up businesses that will need to open accounts and you need a bank behind you that you are able to guide them to for advice... Suddenly your a loss leader rather than just an here today gone tomorrow micro business.

Make sure that you mention somewhere that you are covered for money laundering.

Also, start going to local networking events as that will get you known with the bank managers who also go to those events.

Talk soon,

Shaun.

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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.
stephen72


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Hi Shaun,
Thanks for the information,i never thought of looking at RBS.I went to my second networking event on Wednesday and i have been able to get some work from a local accountant from this
Thanks
stephen

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peter1162


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Hi Stephen

Just to show you how strange this lot are, I went to Santander and the person there recommended me to go to Barclays or HSBC, and not to use their bank, since they are not good.

I have never heard anything like it before.

I think will take Shaun's advice and have a look at RBS.  Have just bought some shares in them since they are so cheap for the long term.

Kind regards

Peter

-- Edited by peter1162 on Friday 19th of March 2010 04:39:12 PM

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