I have just completed Level 1, with Kaplan book which I am using to complete Level 2 as well. Just wondered, if anybody have used Kaplan for Level 3. Also, do I start Sage Certification now, or wait till I complete Level 2 of Manual exam! Any advice
If you have little or no experience using an accounts package, doing Sage certification will help you with the ICB L2+3 computerised exams, also provides s/ware you can use if don't have access by other means. You will need Computerised exam passes as well as Manual passes by Sep 2011 to keep your AICB or MICB.
I've just finished Sage 50 Accounts certification to Stage 3, did alongside doing ICB exams, no probs, just more work. Sage cert'n doesn't have much actual bookkeeping in it so they are not very complementary strands of study.
Not used Kaplan books but pleased to see you are tackling these exams with text book self-study, which I think is enough. Good book for L2 and most of L3 is "Bookkeeping & Accounts" by Frank Wood. Not so enamoured with "Business Accounting 1" by same author, though does fill gaps for L3. If you like Kaplan, stick with that maybe.
Think I've covered both your posts. Good luck with your studies.