Which course? Confused - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Lecia · Member

Which course? Confused

Scotchpie · Veteran Member

Hi

I've just started AAT level 2 but I think if you dig in you can cover both in 12 months, especially considering your previous experience.

AAT however is not simply bookkeeping but also deals with cost accounting, performance analysis, budgeting, professional ethics, etc. so these may be new to you. Still, with hard work I think 12 months is achievable and I'm planning on a similar time-scale for levels 2 and 3.

I read on this forum somewhere how someone finished all three levels (up to level 4) in 18 months and another 18 months to complete CIMA. So it's certainly not impossible.

If you want to work for yourself however why not study with ICB? It is a professional organisation for bookkeepers and its range of exams cover everything you mentioned having experience in. They also offer a level 3 diploma course in self-assessment tax returns.

Once you have completed their courses you can apply for a members in practice certificate which will cover you for HMRC money laundering regulations. ICB from what I hear is especially helpful and geared towards new bookkeepers who want to set up on their own and offer advice on how to find clients etc.

Of course there's certainly nothing stopping you doing both. I'm doing AAT with Kaplan, because I feel its more in depth and covers management accounts, but plan to use what I learn with then to sit the ICB bookkeeping/payroll exams so I can set up my own practice. Unlike AAT, ICB doesn't require you to be registered with a trainer to sit exams, so as long as you think you have the knowledge to pass you can just take the exam at your convenience.

So hopefully by this time next year I'll be AAT part qualified (level 3) and a full ICB member in practice.

-- Edited by Scotchpie on Wednesday 15th of September 2010 03:06:14 PM

-- Edited by Scotchpie on Wednesday 15th of September 2010 03:08:22 PM

Lecia · Member

Thankyou for your reply, it has been very helpful.

I have read about the ICB from reading some of the posts on here and I did have a look on there website and noticed the diploma in tax but unfortunately couldnt find anything saying you were then qualified to do self assessment tax returns or not??

Also do you know if I went down the ICB route and then later decided to do the AAT's would I get exemption from any of the papers?

I've sort of got the jist that completeing the AAT's is a waste of time unless your willing to get the experience in an office?

Scotchpie · Veteran Member

Well I've only just started but from what I understand...

AAT will not accept ICB qualifications because the ICB do not use the QCF examination framework (they use NFQ instead). That's why I'm doing the AAT and just sitting the ICB exams.

As far as I'm aware, once you have qualified in a subject with ICB you are allowed to practice. If you haven't passed their payroll exam for example, they will not allow you to include payroll in your services while using the ICB crest/logo on your stationary. Some think it is harsh but at the end of the day they are a professional regulatory organisation and need to set some standards.

Another option is IAB whose exams are very similar to ICB but they are accepted by AAT as they use the QCF framework and you can claim exemptions.

I'm still torn between IAB and ICB but for now I have decided to stick with ICB as the body I'll use as I feel from comments on this forum and elsewhere that they have a better set up for new bookkeepers.

After taking level 1 manual and the level 2 manual and computerised bookkeeping exams with ICB (which is covered in the AAT sylabus) you can apply for a practice licence.

My strategy is by using the ICB licence I can start taking on bookkeeping work which overtime, and with added services as I progress through level 3, should be enough to cover the experience requirements needed for membership to AAT after level 4.

AAT is not only for employed bookkeepers (though it's usually seen as being so) as they also support members in practice. With a level 4 AAT and the experience you can apply for a practice licence from AAT. You can also set up while still a student member but you cannot advertise your association with AAT, which sort of defeats the object.

Here's a link to AAT website about members in practice: http://www.aat.org.uk/content/item1769/

-- Edited by Scotchpie on Wednesday 15th of September 2010 09:13:36 PM

Scotchpie · Veteran Member

-- Edited by Scotchpie on Wednesday 15th of September 2010 09:08:44 PM

PhilMcTankup · Senior Member

I did AAT up to Intermediate level and was about half way passed towards Technician level when I abandoned the eproject for personal reasons 6 years ago.

I'm now doing ICB exams and Sage certification and am finding both much easier than the higher levels of AAT. I reckon ICB Manual Diploma is equivalent to AAT Intermediate or whatever it is called now.

You need to decide what you want to do. I just want to do some self-employed bookkeeping. For that, I don't need full AAT - ICB exams are what I need to pass to get the practice licence etc.

There are lots of higher paid accounts-related jobs advertised asking for AAT, so maybe if that's where you ae headed, you do need AAT. Things might have changed a lot in last 6 years so I stand to be corrected!

Scotchpie · Veteran Member

I think your right. Though ICB has done a lot to raise its profile, AAT is still regarded as the superior qualification. If you are looking for to work as an employee in an accounts department then AAT is the only way to go. It is also seen as a way of joining the chartered ranks as both ACCA and CIMA award exemptions to MAATs.

If you want to begin a small bookkeeping practice ICB/IAB will be all you need. Saying that, I still think AAT is worthwhile for bookkeepers. That's why I'm doing both, ICB to get me going quickly while I progress through AAT.

-- Edited by Scotchpie on Friday 17th of September 2010 12:07:57 PM

Lecia · Member

Hi thanks for all your information it has been a great help. :o)

I have decided and just enrolled to do the ICB through Premier Training as I have no intentions of going back into an office and am more interested in doing books from home as we already run one business and if I cannot get the work at the end of the training at least I can do the accounts on the business we already have.

I have been told that doing ICB level I and level II manual and computerised you will be qualified to do there take there books upto and including tax returns however you will not be able to do Ltd Co? Do you know if this is correct and if not where the boundary line is? Obviously I appreciate that if the business is large enough you will have to do the payroll exams and I have been told theres a self assessment course that Premier Training will be offering in a couple of weeks time.

Many thanks