I'm presently shopping for training up to AICB, and finding all these training providers so confusing! Narrowed it down to Kaplan and Training Link. I've found lots of good references to Training Link on the forum, but can anyone help with advice on Kaplan please. They are considerably cheaper, and stretched finances at present makes that pretty important to me!!
Don't forget to check out the prices with Premier Training as well.
Nothing at all wrong with Kaplan but often people on here tend to consider them the more a expensive option.
If you don't mind me asking what sort of money are training link asking for?
I think training link also include ICB membership so just comparing fee's is not necessarily going to be comoparing like with like.
Also remember that with ICB you don't need to go on a course. All that you need are the books and a bit of dedication... Oh and ICB student membership and payment for the actual exams.
Its one of the nice things about the ICB exams in that you have lots of options to gain the knowledge and then the examsd just show your level of achievement. Wit the ICB there really is no reason for it to cost you a fortune to get to AICB.
Good luck with your studies,
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.
Training Link are £720, but as yet I don't know exactly what you get for that. You have to "request a brochure" to find out details.
Kaplan are £483, which includes ICB registration and Sage Instant. Quite a bit cheaper.
I have considered buying the books and going it alone. But I haven't studied anything since school (TOO many years ago!), and feel that I probably need some guidance. I have bought Peter Marshall and David Cox books as extras to any course I may do.
I must admit that I do find the study daunting, I am very much a person who learns quickly through practical experience - I only need to be shown how to do something once. I'm looking into unpaid work with this in mind, but so far nobody wants to take me on!
Don't forget the examination fees which some providers include. AICB exams will be a total of £125.
Kaplan include up to 2 attempts at each level, the others you mentioned do not include examination fees.
Some providers also include an online mock (£10) at each manual level, Ideal Schools does this so you would get 2 for the AICB course (Level 1 Basic and Level 2 Manual).
Study can be daunting but this forum is very helpful!
Thanks for all your comments, I can see this forum being invaluable to me in the future..........
I decided to go with Kaplan in the end. I have to say I didn't expect to wait so long to receive the package after parting with hard earned money! Apparently they're so backlogged, it takes 5 days to process the order (!!!!), and then 3-5 days after that for shipping.
Fingers crossed their tutors and markers don't get "backlogged" when I need them!
Hi, Just to say I studied AAT with BPP and ACCA with Kaplan and found Kaplan much better. Class sizes seem to be much more manageable and the tutors are on hand pretty much when ever you need them. They also have a good online resource that you tend to get as part of the course fee.
You're right in that at certain times of the year the admin are bogged down with orders but I have never found the tutors to be like that!!!
I have been studying with Kaplan for about a month now - bought their AICB package.
I have not tried any of the other schools mentioned but I found Kaplans package to be absolutely fine. Not used their support, though. So far the manual they provided has been fine and there has been no reason to call their support.
You may get more with the other schools but you pay for these add ons. Kaplan's price also includes ICB membership for one year.
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
I'm looking at doing my AICB as well. Training Link have quoted me £590 and Kaplan are doing it at £483 (distance learning). All exam fees on top, but which provider have people had more luck with? Is one better than the other, or is it just finances that dictate the cheapest? (Also Training Link are using Sage 50 Professional accounts, but Kaplan are using Sage Instant accounts)
-- Edited by Pink_yvette on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 02:38:00 PM
-- Edited by Pink_yvette on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 02:39:27 PM
Practical Bookkeeping Kit: ICB Bookkeeping levels I & II
ISBN: 978-1847109194
This is a book containing 90 questions and answers to accompany the text book
At each level there are two mock exams that you complete and send to Kaplan for marking.
For the L2 computing your course manual consists of a bundle of pages that you have to put in your own binder. There are two mock exams here as well and obviously you get the Sage software.
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
I'd guess both training courses are more or less the same. Kaplan has a good reputation generally and runs a fairly wide range of distance learning and classroom based accountancy training courses.
-- Edited by Ray2000 on Tuesday 16th of August 2011 09:00:00 PM
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
Shamus, I wish I had taken your advice and gone it alone with the books - it would have saved me money!
I've found Kaplan pretty confusing and getting on much better with David Cox. There is also a lack of exercises in the Kaplan books. I will use the Kaplan material, possibly at some point the tutors, but I feel that I could have done it alone.
Anyone else researching course providers should think about buying David Cox and Peter Marshall books and give it a go before spending hundreds.
I probably picked the wrong time of year to embark on the studying - when it's still daylight I'm outside busy with horses and dogs. I intend to knuckle down and get on with it soon...............
As this is still an active post I thought I should mention that since my post of July Kaplan have changed their policy on examination fees for some courses. Probably best to check with Kaplan if you are thinking of buying a course from them.
I have heard good things about Peter Marshall's books, they are ICB accredited. I know Shaun speaks very highly of David Cox but I do not think the ICB has done a review on them.
Best of luck with all your studying!
-- Edited by ICBUK on Friday 19th of August 2011 12:48:10 PM
I went with Kaplan but to be honest with you, you don't need to go through a training school, buy the books and when your ready take the exam, you will save you self £100s.
Also this forum is very good if you get stuck there is always alot of help and support from the fellow members.
