Hi - I have been reading the posts in this forum for some time and after the scare yesterday - thought it was time to introduce myself.
My name is Margo and I am trying to get into bookkeeping/accounting.
I have just done the OCR 2 in accounting (diploma) and really enjoyed it.
I now intend joining the ICB. The main reason being their on demand exams and the fact that the IAB only has a couple of sittings a year (as I currently have no experience these exams might make it easier to obtain this) .
If I wanted to would it be possible for me to change to IAB on the basis of the ICB exams or would I have to sit their exams?.
I would have liked to tackle the full AAT accounting qualification. As for most on this site the training provider is the main stumbling block ( I still don't understand why AAT insist on a training provider and exams that are of a higher standard do not - I wonder if there is anything that would make then reconsider this ?) .
I know what you mean about the AAT and it frustrates a lot of us. But if you want the option of permanent employment as well as self employment the AAT is still the best option (although by no means a guarantee of employment).
For those readers wondering who you might be talking about when you talk of higher qualifications not requiring a training provider I'm assuming that you mean ACCA and CIMA?
It would be unwise of me to advise on that basis of what the IAB accept now as to what they may accept in the future. So I don't think that you can simply assume transfer capabilities on the basis of current exemptions policy.
Perhaps you might consider doing the Open University course B190 and then use that as exemption from some of the IAB papers?
I don't have first hand experience of the OCR level 2. Have you already been on the ICB and IAB sites to check out what exemptions that will get get you?
Good luck with whatever option you go for,
Kind regards,
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.
IAB don't only have two sittings a year, at least not at the college where I did the L3 earlier this year. It was on-demand. IAB have exemptions for OCR qualifications, ICB don't.
Yes Shaun I did mean the ACCA and CIMA. It does seem really strange that you can self study on these and not the AAT. Thanks for the advice, I will look more into the Open Univeristy course and if it can be done as quickly as the ICB exams I may well go that route. I don't know what exemptions the OCR will give me but I don't mind sitting the exams as long as I don't have to wait months to do so and can do them close to home - I live in Northern Ireland.
Sheila The reason I thought it was about twice a year was that the Timetable 2010 on the IAB site says June 2010 for the bookkeeping level 1-3 . Where did you sit your course?.
It was in Skipton, North Yorkshire at the private training arm of the local college there. The course was £60 including exam and student membership of the IAB.
