I appreciate this question is going to sound a bit unusual. I'm a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant with the ACCA. I have a practicing certificate with the ACCA although I currently don't do any self-employed work (except for family and friends).
My passion is not the high end tax and accounts work but the book-keeping. I really enjoy using Sage and preparing VAT returns, and I also enjoy the payroll side of the work.
Although I'm obviously covered by the ACCA to do book-keeping work I don't want to set up a book-keeping business and promote the fact I'm an ACCA for fear of clients thinking I'll be too expensive. My ambition is to become a qualified book-keeper, ideally with the IAB. Does anyone know if it's possible based on my ACCA qualifications to join the IAB as a member. I'm really keen on the IAB having followed this forum for a while and the benefits they seem to offer book-keepers (which I don't get with the ACCA). I'd also like to be able to use the term 'Registered Book-keeper'.
I understand this isn't the norm. I will of course contact the IAB direct myself but if anyone has any advice it would be appreciated.
Frauke would be the best person to advise on this one but until he's online.
There's no problem at all. You can be in as many supervisory bodies as you want to be.
As a practicing ACCA member you should find that the IAB will happily take you straight to practicing member without having to sit any of their exams.
Your right. It was a different sort of question in that most people are trying to go the other way.
Generally I found that clients didn't really know which body did what and the hierarchy of qualifications is more down to the merrit that we on the inside give it than those on the outside looking in.
Because you are ACCA you could just put the letter but not push your accountant status. That's just as an aside though. Back to your original question. There is nothing to stop you having multiple memberships... Think how many ACCA's convert to ACA but still have to keep their ACCA status and there is nothing deemed amiss with doing things that way around.
All the best,
Shaun.
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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.
I agree with Shaun, you're in a great position and I can't see why the IAB wouldn't accept you.
I understand your concerns but as Shaun rightly said most clients don't know the difference between the different accounting and bookkeeping qualifications. But it does make sense if you only want to offer bookkeeping services to be a qualified bookkeeper. The IAB is a good choice.
Stuart
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Stuart
Birmingham City FC - Blues is my religion St Andrews is my church
Yes I am sure the IAB would have no problems in letting you join. Just ring the membership department, tell them that you are qualified ACCA in practice and ask them for the forms to join the IAB. As you already have a practice certificate with the ACCA, they will not insist you have one with them. I think they will even list you on the website as a member in practice for a small fee - but you'll have to ask about it as I don't think they automatically mention it.
By the way shaun, I'm a "she". Frauke comes from the German Frau (Mrs in English)!
well there you go. No idea at all why I first formed the idea that you were a bloke but many appologies for the long time misconception.
shows how with the anonymity of the internet assumtions can be so misalligned from reality.
I know that there must be a good many on here who must assume that I'm really a Brad Pit lookalike but the reality is something nearer to my Avatar! (lol).
kind regards and appologies again,
Shaun.
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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.
Shamus, its not a problem as its happens a lot! You'd done it before and it did put a smile on my face. I thought you may have figured it out in time - but I thought it was about time I finally mentioned it !
Thank you Shaun, Stuart and Frauke for your assistance. I've made up my mind to go down the IAB route and I'm really excited about it.
To those currently studying the ACCA or similar, don't let my situation put you off. Having re-read my post I'm worried my comments will put off those taking Chartered papers or at least thinking about it, this was not my intention. The ACCA is a fantastic qualification for those who want to practice as an accountant. For me my passion is book-keeping, and this where I see my future as a registered book-keeper. ACCA is ideal for those looking to do higher end accounts, audits and tax work.
I know its said quite often but its a great forum you've got here for book-kepeers! Hope I can be of assistance to others going forward.
worry not, that's my route. Took paper P2 (my old nemesis) on Tuesday this week.
I'm with you. The ACCA qualification is second to none and even with all of the problems over restrictions as to what services ACCA PQ's are allowed to offer on a freelance basis I would not change the route that I chose.
The reason that I went down that path was actually due to my work in retail and corporate banking (back, not front office). It was either that or CIMA and I just felt (right or wrong) that ACCA opened more doors.
Don't know if you read any of the threads but we've had discussions on here before about the issues related to what services ACCA PQ's are allowed to offer. As you've already got the ACCA practice certificate though at least you don't have any such worries.
kind regards,
Shaun.
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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.
well there you go. No idea at all why I first formed the idea that you were a bloke but many appologies for the long time misconception.
I thought she was a he as well. If the posts hadn't been signed with a name (I don't bother signing my own) then I'd have looked at the profile for a name and saw the gender.
My gender has been mistaken on here as well which as a 6'1", ~19 stone fat bloater that wears size 13 shoes I find amusing.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
Don't know if you read any of the threads but we've had discussions on here before about the issues related to what services ACCA PQ's are allowed to offer. As you've already got the ACCA practice certificate though at least you don't have any such worries.
Hi Shaun
Yep been reading the posts on here for a while now. I know I'm in a lucky position already having my ACCA PC. I find it strange that if I wanted to offer a 'full' book-keeping service without a PC I'd be barred from ACCA membership, even if I was covered by an IAB or ICB PC.
I really think this is an area ACCA need to review. They offer the CAT qualifiction as an alternative to the AAT, but even with the CAT you wouldn't be allowed to offer a full book-keeping service to compete with AAT's. You'd be able to offer services up to TB stage but not management accounts or VAT returns which is crazy IMO.
Last month in the ACCA members magazine there was a section on applying to join the ACCA governing council. I was quite tempted to apply as way to gain some influence and instill some more sensible policys. Wasn't convinced I'd be elected with such radical views as a CAT being able to do a VAT return!
