I am looking at bookeeping qualifications but am completely confused and finding it impossible to decide where to start. I was looking at the ICB Associate Members course through Training Link. Can anyone tell me what they are like, whether the qualification is recognised by employers and any other advice?
Thank you
Training link are great and one of the three often recomended on this site. The other two are Premier Training and Ideal Schools.
The second angle to your question is mre difficult in that is the ICB the best organisation for you?
If you were looking for self employment then I would highly recommend ICB or IAB and where you have no prior related experience then training through a training provider as you have already identified.
If you are looking at employment then you should be looking at a minimum of AAT and even then such comes with no guarantee of employment at the end of it.
One great way to look at the job market requirements is to go onto the reed website and look up jobs that you are interested in and see what the requirements are.
I would have money on it that every job that you look at will say AAT qualified or PQ.
PQ does not mean part qualified AAT. It means Part qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA.
For AAT employers really expect for you to be fully qualified to level IV. Also, when employers say PQ they generally mean (taking ACCA as the example) that you have passed either the first nine papers (F1 to F9) or that you have passed all papers and simply not yet acquired your post qualification experience required for membership.
Another recent post that you might find useful is : http://www.book-keepers.org.uk/t49825054/acca-or-uni-reposted/
As that one gives a run down of the common professional bodies.
where someone is asking about ICB or IAB and is again guided towards AAT.
Those two are both in the last page of posts but the site is full of great advice.
To search it using google simply use this search :
site:www.book-keepers.org.uk -mobile
then add your criteria to the end of that. (I've added the -mobile otherwise you get site content in mobile format which I personally don't want but if you do just miss that bit off).
Welcome to the forum and hope that you enjoy your time here,
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.
In regards to training providers, this is quite simple to answer. Just ring them up and have a chat with each one. You dont have to make a decision then and there. Also have a look around this site, as there is a wealth of information about training providers, good and bad!
The ICB/IAB vs AAT is a more difficult one to answer, and this can only be based on your personal circumstances.
The ICB is not recognised by ither bodies, so you will not get any exemptions should you want to further your studies. It is very geared to being self employed and running your own bookkeeping business, which is ideal in alot of circumstances. The IAB is similar but it is recognised by other bodies.
They are not that well recognised by employers, compared to the AAT. If you wanted to be employed the AAT is the route to go down. Although this will take longer, and probably cost more in the long term, but you will get a lot more options if you are AAT qualified, and you can still set up in practice on your own if you should wish.
All the best
Nick
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
