Ive just spent the good part of several days looking through the several different awarding bodies that are available to wouldbe book-keepers.
I have to admit, having read through that minefield (aka mess and complete chaos) of qualifications out there to prospective book-keepers, I am disappointed that there isnt ONE single recognised body to give book-keepers a professional basis... I think I have read through several organisations that claim to have the edge, training providers have jumped on the bandwagon to confuse poor students even more and screw (sorry to use such abrupt language, perhaps con would suffice), lots and lots of pennies out of poor peeps.
CAT, AAT, IAB, ICB, CIMA or ACCA? Have I missed any?
Ive just read through some (quite) heated posts, battled my way through the same question over and over again being asked and tehre appears to be no definitive answer. Basically you take your decision, part with your cash and when it comes to employment you are at the mercy of a prospective employers on personal (often misinformed biased) preference.
So here are my own conclusions..
If you are self employed go with IAB, lots of training providers out there including the good old OU at a snip of £310.
If you want employment do CAT or AAT via Kaplan, seems to be reasonably priced at £1000 for whole course (excluding exams).
I was tempted and nearly did register with the ICB until I found out they are exclusive in there qualifications.
By far the most important thing that needs to happen is that book-keeping should have its own recognised profession and chartered body.... one single one, like CIPD is for HRM.
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Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain!
Whilst very sensible to mere mortals like us, it 'aint gonna happen. There are too many vested interests in the existing organisations for them to merge together under one hat. Also as there is no requirement for anyone to have any professional qualifications to become a book-keeper (or an accountant for that matter), there is no reason why there should be a professional body.
I suppose that you left out IFA, CIOT, ATT, HND (everyone always forgets that one), ICAS, ICAEW... The list goes on, and on, and...
One advantage to there being so many is that non of them have a monopoly and that means that although they think that they can run roughshod over their students you are always free to up sticks and plant your flag in someone elses camp.
I know which the other post is that you're referring to. I don't know if you think that any of my posts were misinformed or baised but I am quite happy to discuss and debate any item that you think that I may have incorrectly interpreted.
I stopped responding to posts on the other thread not because the other poster was correct but because the tone of the posts was not of the high level what we had come to expect of the correspondence on this site and I didn't like the fact that it was turning into a slanging match which I refused to lower myself to.
Everything that I stated was to my belief a fact. I am sure that there was merrit in the other arguments but the way that they were conveyed was without any room for movement or debate.
As such I felt discretion the better part of valour and withdrew in the knowledge that for anyone who took either stance, the evidence would with time become self evident.
Is the £1000 for AAT with Kaplan for everything through to Technician level? It seems very cheap for all three levels but if that's correct it even puts Premier in the shade.
Hope to talk soon. I'm not on here very much at the moment so please be patient for replies,
cheers,
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.
