Time to take a stand and do this once and for all - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Cookin_the_books · Member

Time to take a stand and do this once and for all

ES · Veteran Member

Sara

Do you need to purchase a course to do the exams? I did and found it a waste of money given my background. I've now done a couple of exams on my own and download a mock exam to see how I do. Good luck.

Ange

BackOfficeGroup · Guru

Sara

If you are AAT qualified, you would have no trouble taking say the ICB exams without a course - you may want to do some revisions and mock papers but I'm sure you would pass.

Are you still a member AAT or has that lapsed, as you would not need to take more exams if so and I am aware that you can get exemptions from ICB - have you contacted them to see? James on this forum is very helpful.

As for Bookcert, I cannot help as i have never used them but to go it alone does take courage but is very rewarding. I wish you all the best on that one!

P

Cookin_the_books · Member

Hi Ange

I was just thinking about this. I haven't purchased the courses yet and I was wondering if it would be better for me to complete level 1 with a text book and a couple of mock exam papers instead of paying all that money for something I already have knowledge of.

It could save a couple of hundred pounds in the long run.

When you were doing your exams, did you need your membership to ICB, its all a bit confusing what you need to buy and what you don't at the beginning.

Thanks biggrin

Cookin_the_books · Member

P,

What a great idea, My AAT has lapsed but I will get onto them and see what they have to say.

I want to do a little revision to freshen up what I know, I need to go into to this with both eyes wide open and a lot of bookkeeping confidence. smile

ES · Veteran Member

I had exams that if I had kept up my subscription could have used for exemptions but when I did it there wasn't any passed papers so did a course I didn't know what to expect. Level 1 course I completed within an hour! Level 2 manual I just booked the exam and didn't do any studying and didn't read the notes properly at the beginning of the exam, snowing and I wanted to get home but did that in an hour and a distinction lost marks for not putting in -.
I think you might need membership maybe a student but get onto ICB they will tell you.

Cookin_the_books · Member

Have just got onto the AAT now and they told me that I am fine to reapply for my membership, so that is good news.
I think I now need to email the ICB and see what the next step is for me examination and qualification wise and any exemptions I am entitled too.

But starting off with MAAT after my name is a good start for me with this project.

GinnyBee · Veteran Member

Sara,

Do you still have your old Foundation/level 2 books from when you did the AAT? I'm sure you would be able to use those. Otherwise I would definitely just buy the book for the level 1 and have a look at the mock, I'm sure you'll be able to do it fine if you got your AAT.

GinnyBee

john Boy · Veteran Member

Sara, i imagine you are easily capable of passing the ICb exams if you are AAT quailified.

i think joining the AAT just to join the ICB is a waste of money.

if i was you either

take the ICB exams brushing up your skills with your AAT books as they will more than cover the sylabus

or

join the AAT and and get a practicing licence through them .

Doing both seems like a waste of money.

Only my thoughts mind.

BackOfficeGroup · Guru

I would agree with John Boy, if you can get AAT, why the need for ICB?

I would stick with the AAT membership/practice cert and go from there, be cheaper and easier.

P

Cookin_the_books · Member

Not entitled to exemptions as AAT was not completed within in last two years cry

so going to do level 1 with a book and a couple of mocks.
Ginny, my level 2 books were donated to a friend of mine.

Am actually looking forward to getting my head back in the books biggrin

Thanks everyone for being so helpful,

ICBUK · Guru

Hi Sara,

You should be able to get exemptions from ICB exams if your AAT is not too old and you got good grades.

Or you may want to do the ICB qualifications anyway, many ex AAT do, I guess its another certificate on the wall smile

If you do want to retake the exams then your skills gained with the AAT should be fine, might need to brush up on the basics of accountancy which some AAT students skip. There are ICB accredited text books for that, or your AAT Level 2 book if you have it.

John Boy has a good point, although there are a few joint AAT and ICB members out there, best of both worlds I guess.

ICBUK · Guru

Wow quick posting, (or I'm slow) smile

Just one point to Philip's, depending on how your joining the ICB it would normally be cheaper than the AAT. Don't forget the AAT charge extra for MLR Supervision where as the ICB include it for free, and I think generally their fees are higher.

Anyhow, good luck with the study Sara, were all your AAT older than 2 years? As sometimes you can get partial exemptions and just do some of the ICB to complete the process.

Cookin_the_books · Member

James,

Have I got this right, if I want to do modules 1 and 2 via a text book, I just need to register as a student, with ICB, buy the text books and then when ready book the module examinitions?

Thanks
Sara

Quentin Pain · Senior Member

Sara you could just pay for the online mock and see how you do. I bet you will pass with flying colours.

Cookin_the_books · Member

Hi Quentin
I have done and I did pass biggrin

. It was one of the past papers that I downloaded and completed and when I checked the model answers afterwards I had got them all correct.
Quite pleased with myself as I was afraid I might be a bit rusty but it all comes back like riding a bike.
It's my aim this year to be working for myself at least part time, my only regret...I didn't get back in the saddle sooner

-- Edited by Cookin_the_books on Saturday 8th of January 2011 12:41:39 AM

GinnyBee · Veteran Member

Congratulations Sara! It did sound like you'd be able to do it! Great boost for your confidence and gets you on the way to your goal.

I also have experience of bookkeeping and was wondering if I should do ICB to refresh my skills as it's a while since I did the actual bookkeeping work (recent stuff more posting Sage trial balances onto accounts production software for a senior to finalise) and you have given me the motivation to do so. I want to set my business up soon but the more I think about it the more I feel like a refresher of the basics will be a good idea!

Cookin_the_books · Member

Ginny
I'm so glad to read that, it sounds like we are the same boat. Maybe we could help each other out as we go forward with it.
If you want a study budy or just someone to who's also going to go through the daunting process of trying to set up working for yourself my email is sara_mod1972@hotmail.co.uk

ICBUK · Guru

Hi Sara,

Well done!

You can buy the text book first if you like, and register later.

Although if you have passed the mock you could just do the Level 1 online straight away (register as a student £45 and book the online test £30).

Why don't you also have a go at the online Manual Level 2 mock that is on there (the actual Manual Level 2 is completed in a centre but uses similar software).