Some of you may know that ICB are introducing a new exam/membership structure to their qualifications from 1st April 2014. However, they have just confirmed that all current ICB students and those that are considering undertaking their ICB study before 31st March 2014 will be allowed to attempt their exams using the current ICB Format, until 31st March 2015. However, we see the transition from old to new as relatively straight forward and if you wished to switch to the new structure mid study, this would/should cause no disruption to your progress.
Thought it was worth putting this information out there as I know there is concern amongst current and prospective ICB students.
In your other post you said that anyone who passes the exams under the old syllabus will no longer be able to get a practice certificate at level II (they will need to take level III and those already practicing at level II will need to take extrat exams during a transition period).
So, does this not mean that if people take the old syllabus exams they will pass exams but not be able to start a practice which would defeat the objective of many people going down that route?
Conversely if the new level III is little more than the old level II which is what you said in your other post why not simply give everyone thats passed level II already an automatically applied exemption from level III.
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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 your other post you said that anyone who passes the exams under the old syllabus will no longer be able to get a practice certificate at level II (they will need to take level III and those already practicing at level II will need to take extrat exams during a transition period). What I actually said that students would be given a period of grace to upgrade to the new structure. However, I now understand that they will be able to retain their membership status and be covered for the completion of accounts for sole traders. Those under the new structure will be free to also complete accounts for Partnerships & NfP Organisations, which are the two main additions to the new Level III (Current Level II). Students holding Associate Membership in the current structure will only be forced to sit an additional exam covering these newer elements if they with to later upgrade to full membership. I will amend my previous post.
So, does this not mean that if people take the old syllabus exams they will pass exams but not be able to start a practice which would defeat the objective of many people going down that route? No - see above.
Conversely if the new level III is little more than the old level II which is what you said in your other post why not simply give everyone thats passed level II already an automatically applied exemption from level III. I gave no direct comparison between old and new levels but did mentioned that there would be movement of topics, but I was not specific. Put simply, students completing exams in the new structure will cover Partnerships & NfP Organisations at Level III (current Level II) and will be able to complete accounts for those business types at Associate Membership level.
The purpose of my previous post in another thread was to try to remove concerns that current & prospective students may have had over the new structure, as the switchover should be simple enough. The announcement today from ICB means that if a student wished to continue on the current structure then they have until 31st March 2015 to complete these exams, which was not previously an option.
