Firstly I will say hello to everyone as a a newbie on here.
I am thinking of studying the ICB Levels 1+2, and taking the exams and looking at online training providers but I have also been wondering whether it is possible to study these levels not using a training provider by working through self study books. I am unsure if you are paying for using a training provider that they provide any more than this and their support. I am completely new to bookkeeping and want to learn a few new skills for potential employment, I cant really see myself progressing onto becoming a accountant and the AAt is to expensive for me at the moment.
I have taken the City & Guilds route for my basic bookkeeping courses and the Frank Woods book has helped me out enormously, even at level 3 AAT that book is an enormous help. There are people on here with experience of the books you've listed and i'm sure they will help out much better'n me. We also have access to our own *Waterstones on legs* I'm sure you'll find out whom i refer to lol.
*I nearly wrote Weatherspoons and i'm guessing there are a few of those in here lol.
-- Edited by Spamkebab on Thursday 1st of December 2011 09:46:06 AM
Another good accounting book is Business Accounts by David Cox, and Accounting Simplified by Hilary Fortes. These books are useful up to ICB Level 1,2 and 3. Also ACCA 2002, Paper 2.4, 1.2 and 1.1 are excellent books, Shaun recommended these to me, bought the ACCA books second hand, dead cheap from Amazon. Kind Regards. Sue
Hi H9,
As you have been told, there are many textbooks which you can choose from, but self study is not for everyone. Providers offer a full service with a structured study program with assignments and, if support is needed, support is available. This is why it is slightly more expensive.
Good luck with whatever method of study that you embark on.
Kind regards.
I didn't use a training provider for my ICB exams but I have had experience of small businesses (father, grandfather), I had been involved in purchases and invoicing in offices. I also have a degree which involved Accounting as a module and I did the OU B190 - Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting. So self study was the logical way for me.
To self study with no prevous knowledge would require a great deal of committment, you have my admeration if you can do that. ICB level 1 exam isn't expensive so you could try level 1 and see how you get on. Then make a decision before you start on level 2.
Do read some of the posts on this forum before you decide if this is the right job for you but I think knowledge of bookkeeping however basic is always a useful investment in the future.
