Hi. I am looking into book-keeping as I enjoy working with number and also would like a change of career. I am pondering about whether to do ICB or AAT, or maybe start with ICB and do level I and then change to AAT as I am bit worried that ICB isn't as recognised as AAT? However, I am only looking to do self-employed book-keeping so would it matter what qualifications I have as long as I can do the job? Is it even possible to start with one and then switch to another? Time completing isn't a obstacle as I will stay in my present job until I have finished but expense would come into it as I am paying for it myself
If you went IAB rather than ICB it's more recognised for exemptions for moving on to higher qualifications.
As you have already identified ICB is great for self employment but it doesn't open very many doors when it comes to finding a job.
One thing that people often miss is the level of respect for a qualification shown by accountants who you may be working with over time. Even in a self employed capacity AAT can score brownie points with some practices that you will deal with.
No matter who you train with bookkeeping is the same, the key is reading the right books and if you go with a training prover finding the right tutors / lecturers.
Personally I would go AAT as it opens the most doors but that's just personal opinion and others will have different ones.
kindest 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.
CIPP is much, much higher than the ICB for payroll. They go up to postdoctorate level!
If you are just doing basic payroll for simple businesses the ICB would be just about good enough. There will be times where you need to study further, for example CIS, which isnt covered by the ICB.
Going back to the original post, if you want self employment the ICB will give you everything you want, but you need to think "are you sure that that is everything you want in the future?".
There is nothing from stopping you doing the ICB or IAB, getting a practice licence and then in the future going to the AAT level 3 (i dont think you will manage to go straight to level 4 as you will not have covered costing) which is more widely recognised at the moment. If you do the IAB you can get exemptions from ACCA should you want to go down that route.
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
