I've just found this forum and it looks as if it could be very useful! I'm an ICB member.
Since qualifying I've continued to work part time for a local bookkeeping bureau, mainly looking after the payroll clients, but also dealing with some day-to-day bookkeeping.
I've had an ICB practice licence for about 14 months, but so far I've failed to find any clients. I've just posted off my completed paper for the ICB's self assessment diploma. My plan is to firstly find some clients/income to supplement my part time earnings, then to hopefully add to this and be able to give up my employment and to work solely for myself, maybe with a bit of subcontracting.