Force of habit I guess - I'd thought I'd try and check my facts first, Kris.

hi tony,yep youre right, expensive business eh! I rang them today as Ive just got my level 2 manual, im studying level 2 comp and should finish it by christmas. The person i spoke to explained that once i finish my comp level 2 i would have to apply again for the next membership level, each time its about £50-80. I think i may well wait and pay just the once when Ive completed both.  seems a bit of a money spinner to me, would be nice to be able to pay just for an 'upgrade' !

See background on my separate post yesterday re best text books for L3 Manual Diploma.

ICB just told me each time you u/g they charge full fee but add 12 months to expiry of your membership. Paying difference pro rata wasn't offered as an option.
If you intend taking exams in fairly quick succession, you can make multi-step upgrades, even from Student to full member.

Situation does seem messy at moment while ICB align manual and computerised quals, by Sep 2011 you will need both, but the L2 comp exam is not difficult if you have had any exposure to a computerised bk s/w product, eg, Sage. Also you have up to 2 weeks to work on it at home or at work at your own pace, jut produce required reports and post them off.

If, like me, you don't have access to a comp bk s/ware via employment or whatever, one option is to buy one or more of Sage's Workbook self-training kits. Costs £145 for each of 3 Stages but you only need buy one Stage to get 180 day licence on Sage 50 Accounts Professional, a slightly reduced functionality version that is fine for the ICB L2 comp exam (when I do L3 comp soon I'll confirm is ok for that too). Added benefit is cost includes one attempt at Sage's online exam for the Stage, when you pass that (not too hard) and receive their certificate valid for 2 years, can call yourself "Sage Certified" on bus cards, advertising etc.

I bought all 3 Stages for bundle price £265, this gives me 1.5 years s/w licence in total. Current cost for all 3 is £310 but look out for special offers on Sage's website. I've already passed Stage 1 exam and am working towards Stages 2 and 3 alongside doing ICB exams.

I appreciate is expensive option but just to buy full Sage licence costs over £1k+VAT. I'm sure there are other options too (Quick Books, etc) that are probably cheaper and jsut as good?

Good point Tony. I spoke to Sage about this a few weeks back, big savings on multi-user licence cost coupled with unlimited s/w upgrades and full support package. An option I'll think about once I get up and running and if there is enough demand from clients to warrant me shelling out on their behalf.

Phil

Thanks for the warning Tony, this whole area is a bit of a minefield for the inexperienced, like me.

I started looking at Sage because a job was advertised locally for a part-time employed bookkeeper with knowledge of Sage Accounts 50. I applied but didn't get it because they needed someone who could "hit the ground running" as previous person had already left. Stung by that I got straight on with Sage Workbooks self-tuition.

Once I do get my practice licence etc, and have completed my Sage training (therefore will have that all-important self-confidence) I intend to write to the company again and offer to cover for their newly recruited employee bookkeeper during sickness/holidays etc on a self-employed hourly rate basis. I think they will appreciate that and I might get a foot in the door that way.

I doubt now (especially in view of what you say about escalation) I will be doing clients' books using Sage licences I have paid for. I expect I would have to charge them a share of the licence cost up front, or recouperate via a higher hourly rate, which wouldn't go down well. Hopefully they will either have Sage or can be persuaded to buy it themselves (eg if they have a complex business and/or do a lot of business on credit). Sage did say that if I joint their Bookkeeper Club, they offer big discount on licences sold through me to my clients, which is something, I suppose.

Regarding the Sage workbooks - If anyone is itnerested am selling the 3 stage bundle for for £ 230 - this INCLUDES the sage online exam (Sage discount price at present is £260 however this is only through September and I they are back to RRP £310 in October)

Additionally I offer an email support service while you study for £25 (+ VAT)per level which includes access to sage test questions.

Please let me know if any use to you - or spread the word.
kind regards
Donna
Sage Accredited Accountant Partner
sagesales@completebookkeeping.co.uk


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Oh dear Phil - no you got it wrong.

A single user licence is just that - it for use on one computer for one company.

Whilst it is possible to do what you suggest, it would be illegal as it would breach the software licence.

Sage just rang me chasing up my interest in their Bookkeepers Club. I asked the guy the same question and he confirmed that, whilst it is physically possible to use one licence for multiple businesses, it is in breach of the licence.

He also said they have ways of catching offenders out through info sent back to them by the software. All sounds a bit sinister, but it is definitely not something to try to get away with, I certainly won't be tempted