Hi, I'm planning to enrol to do the ICB qualifications via distance learning, with a mind to eventually becoming a self-emplyed bookkeeper. I've had a good look through the threads on here to see which course providers have good reviews, but i've noticed noone seems to have mentioned studying through Kaplan. So I was just wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge of them, good or bad? Their prices seem to be very low and include ICB membership & complete Sage rather than trial, but not the exam fees. Is the low price too good to be true? Have I missed something glaringly obvious?!? Also, does anyone know are there variations in how long the different places let you take to complete the courses, or is it the same across the board?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated, cheers!
-- Edited by El Nombre on Saturday 12th of February 2011 10:59:38 PM
I used Kaplan study material & study kit, with which I have completed ICB manual level 1,2 & 3. The study material is very good and gives you good practice for the exam. I would definitely recommend it. Goodluck
I did not study with Kaplan but I know a few people doing ACCA studies with them and they all are happy with Kaplan. Also 50000 students a year and being around 70 yrs should be a good recommendation...did you know they are owned by the washington post co?
-- Edited by attilabenko on Sunday 13th of February 2011 12:11:37 PM
I can't comment about Kaplan from an ICB perspective but for ACCA accept no substitute.
I've used Kaplan, BPP and GTG and feel that they should appear in that order.
Kaplan gives extensive, challenging yet still easy to follow examples. I find BPP good for revision once you've mastered the basics with Kaplan and Get through Guides... Well, so far not enamoured with the just the basics style.
I think that you may need to check what you are getting with Kaplan. With other training providers you are paying for tutor support. Are you sure that is what you are signing up for with Kaplan. When I sign up for a paper with the ACCA it's just for the study materials and nothing more. I know that they do have traditional group study but just check that is what you are actually looking at.
Are you completely new to bookkeeping? If so then starting with MasteringAccounting Skills by Margaret Nicolson and Mastering Book-keeping by Peter Marshall would be a better start than jumping straight into courses.
It might also be worth looking at the Open University introduction to bookkeeping or the AAT ABC bookkeeping course.
A very good book for learning bookkeeping skills from a practical perspective is the AAT Revision Companion for units 1-4 (ISBN 9780 7517 3328 3). That ISBN is not for the latest version but we're talking bookkeeping rather than accountancy here so things don't tend to change that much (VAT rates and such change but not the general principles of double entry).
Remember that to join the ICB you don't have to be signed up with any training provider. If you believe that you can do it yourself just concentrate on getting lots of question practice and don't skimp on buying old ICB exams papers as these are invaluable for learning what to expect in the real exams.
With the ICB some exams are done at home and some are sat at a centre. For the home one's they send those out on a Friday and you have a couple of weeks to get your entry back to them. The higher level exams used to be sat in February, June and October but over the last year the ICB has been moving to more of an on demand model.
You will need to confirm the actual dates with the ICB (don't worry, they're quite a freindly bunch and James is even a regular contributor on here so may pick up on this tomorrow).
Basically, the exams should fit around your rediness for them rather than your course dictating when you are to take them so in answer to your last question there is no accross the board duration for how long this takes.
All the best with your studies,
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Sounds as though we both hold Kaplan in the same high esteem. Just spent £55 on the text and exam prep for ACCA P2 with them and know that it's worth every penny.
Also bought the GTG P2 and 60 pages in I'm feeling that I know why it's slightly cheaper than the Kaplan equivalent.
Anyway, long time no speak. How's business? How's life?
All the best,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
The ICB Kaplan course does start at basic bookkeeping so fine if you have no experience. They also sell the books separately if you do have experience and just want to revise for the qualifications.
Kaplan acheive very good results, and were nominated for Training Provider of the Year 2009/2010.
ICB exams are now 'on-demand'. The Level 1 is online, the Level II & III computerised are home assessments which are sent out on a Friday. The Level II and III manual (practical) are centre exams which you can book yourself at a centre near to you, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, and some weekends and late nights are also available.
Thanks very much for all of your replies - Kaplan seems to be getting the thumbs up, so i'll keep it at the top of my list for when I'm ready to embark on my bookkeeping journey. I have looked at the other options but I feel fairly sure the ICB is the right route for me. Thanks also for the other bits of info - all useful stuff to know - I can see this forum is going to be a valuable source of advice!
All good here. Sadly my full time job took over my life so my studies are on hold for the moment and very likely I will have to pass on my clients to someone,too. The job is very demanding, not really related to bookkeeping but they do pay me an awful lot of money - much more than what I could get as a trainee accountant. So well, studies are waiting for some financial stability and free time. How are you? Still in Scotland or back home now?
Not so sadly if your making good money from it. Good one, it's always nice to see when good things happen to good people.
I'm back home for at least the next month due to child care issues. Already managed to have a run in with one person on the site which confussed the hell out of me as I really wasn't having a go at all. Reread my posts several times and can't see the issue. Maybe it's just me!
I know where your coming from on the bookkeeping / study front. I gave up my ICB membership last month and my clients have all gone to my favorite accountant.
In my case the issue is that as an ACCA PQ I'm very restricted on the services that I can offer (bookkeeping to trial balance, Payroll and VAT) which puts me at a disadvantage over ICB or AAT people.
I didn't offer Payroll but if I had then even though the ACCA would have allowed me the ICB membership wouldn't without passing their exam.
All very restrictive but I can completely see why and appreciate that where I'm being caught unfairly you can't have rules with flexibility on the individual cases.
Anyway, nearly finished the ACCA now so fingers crossed won't be too long before I get those elusive letters after my name. When I have though I think that the business analysis / consultancy side of my business will still end up supporting the financial accountancy side.... Hey, I'm a one man mini KPMG!
Actually, I've worked with them quite a few times and can highly recommend them. If I wasn't so damn old (almost 50!!!!) I wouldn't mind working for them directly myself.
All the best,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Also, does anyone know are there variations in how long the different places let you take to complete the courses, or is it the same across the board?
