im new to this forum and just thought id say hi an introduce myself. if any one has advice on bookkeeping dont be be shy and message me please, any posts would be greatful. Im 22, got college certificates in bookkeeping and currently in my first year of accounting. Also employed for a business as a bookkeeper ( part time.) while on summer break from uni in the summer im looking at studying my ICB 1,2,3. i have joined book-keepers.org to get the wizer true insight of a well experienced bookkeepers etc and people who are studying ICB.
Which accounting route have you chosen? When is your first sitting?
Why do you want to go down the ICB leg if your doing accounting?
I'm not saying that you shouldn't consider this route, I was just wondering what your reasons were as you would probably find AAT much more beneficial in the long term.
Are you going to be going it alone or using a training provider?
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.
I'm doing an degree in accountancy, basically the first year is the AAT level 4 dipolma route ( same modules etc). So i take it would be at my best interests to take the the AAT level 4 exams aswell seems iv already been studying it the past year? I am a student member of the AAT. To be honast i dont know what route i want to take.... a bookkeeper or an accountant? Ill be doing the ICB on my own, i see they have textbooks which you can follow easily if your in an bookkeeping role.
it is very confusing knowing where to start as there are just so many options. But, I think that you would be best to avoid ICB as beyond bookkeepers it's not really a very recognised qualification (I've yet to see it as a requirement of one job ad).
the best route is to go for MAAT which is basically an accountant but very routed in bookkeeping and practice.
The higher qualifications such as ACCA and CIMA place a lot of restriction on what you are allowed to do and in a lot of ways are aimed more at corporate than practice.
If the AAT allow you to skip the lower levels then I would go with the route that you suggest as it's a fast track and means only studying once.
I did something similar with the open university certificate in accountancy and the first three ACCA papers.
Once you've got your AAT qualification you still need to do a year in practice before you can have the MAAT status but once you have that it should open a lot of doors including self employment if that's the way you want to go.
It really does sound as though ICB would be a waste of time for you.
If ever you needed MLR cover then having AAT even without MAAT status can get you IAB exemptions allowing you a practicing certificate, MLR and the option of cheaper PII insurance. Of course, if you have MAAT status you can get that without the IAB.
Note also that IAB and AAT are recognised for exemptions with the ACCA where the ICB qualification is not. Just something to bear in mind if you decided to take the accountancy route further.
Hope that this helps. Good luck with your studies,
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.
