Confused by choice.. ICB, IAB or AAT - which qualification is best? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

DottyP · Newbie

Confused by choice.. ICB, IAB or AAT - which qualification is best?

robbiew · Veteran Member

Hi Dotty,

I will give you my take on things and hopefully someone else will be able to offer some you assisstance too.

If you want to go the ICB route, the best value for money is www.distancelearningpartnership.co.uk/ .I used them for my Level I (passed 100%!) For the IAB, Woodgrove Tutorials always seem to have very good pass rates and often have offers on, such as all three levels for a big reduction etc. Ideal Schools also have offers if you buy more than 1 course at a time. I dont know about AAS Training, it's a good option if you have the money I suppose.

AAT Bookkeeping certificate is very good in my opinion. It will give you a good grounding and you then can choose which path to go, ICB IAB or AAT Accounting Technician.It is basically a level I and II course in one. Between ICB and IAB course materials I have seen, the IAB seems to be more in depth (based on Ideal Schools materials). The IAB has been established longer than the ICB but from what I gather, people tend not to view one better than the other. Most people looking for a bookkeeper dont choose one on who they gained their qualification with..they're are more surprised that you actually have a qualification!

I chose the ICB because I still work full time nights, look after my young daughter during most of the day. so sitting an external exam is nigh on impossible. The Level I manual and Level II Computerised ICB qualifications you do at home and have two weeks to complete them! Pass the level II, apply for your practising certificate and you are automatically covered regarding Money Laundering Regs..no need to pay the £95. I'm doing the AAT Bookkeeping Cert as because it's a recognised qualification in its own right and I may, dependant on commitments, go down that AAT route later.

Bit long winded I'm afraid. It comes down to where you want to end up I suppose..if you did the AAT Bookkeeping Certificate + Bookcert, you'd have a recognised qualification and an idea on how to start up your business..just a suggestion!

Just to add, the AAT qualification will certainly give you the skills to do final accounts for sole traders/micro businesses!

Hopefully someone else can give you some pointers too (using a few less sentences

)!

Good luck!

Regards

Rob

-- Edited by robbiew at 12:44, 2008-04-04

DottyP · Newbie

Hi Rob and thanks for your reply. Not sure i fully understand this now though! I thought you either did ICB, IAB or AAT? Why are you doing AAT if you've already done the ICB qualifications? Is this more complicated than i thought?!

Good point about exams from home... this did sound good with the ICB, and not actually sure what the exam set up is with IAB so i'll look into this. Also, I know that ICB exams are in June, Oct & Jan (I think) whereas IAB are only in June + Jan and i might have missed the June boat now (?) and Jan seems a long way off.. so maybe a good reason for choosing ICB after all!

I'll be looking up AAT a bit more first though.. but my first impression was that it was more difficult to achieve especially by distance learning and a stepping stone to accounting, where my ambitions might stop at bookkeeping...

Thanks again,
Dotty

robbiew · Veteran Member

Hello Dotty,

Had a feeling I might confuse the issue more!

I started with the ICB first because I hadn't heard of the AAT Bookkeeping qualification, if I had have known about it I would have solely done that one. I'm doing it now because I may go down the full AAT route at a later date. Passing the bookkeeping certificate means you can go straight in at intermediate stage. The AAT course comes with a big workbook, interactive course cd and interactive questions cd. I've not felt the need to have input from a tutor whilst studying it. Comparing it to my ICB course I would recommend the AAT option as it is ideal if you only want to do pure bookkeeping for small concerns. This is the link for the AAT ABC course info http://www.eql.co.uk/

The ICB level I manual and level II computerised papers are sent out every Friday so you can sit them whenever you want throughout the year (except main summer holiday weeks and Xmas).

Once again, best of luck in your choice of course!

Rob

beancounter · Newbie

Hi DottyP Glad you seem to have got things sorted, I just wanted to add my two penny worths here.

He He glad to see your a Mac user lol if you ever need an Accountacy package MYOB is really good. Glad you have gone with Woodgrove, I would have recommended them to you. They are excellent and you will get up to speed in no time.

Ok, I am an MIAB and I can say that IAB is by far the best Book-Kepping body to be with, their qualifications are recognized and if you go to the Advanced Diploma you will have exemptions should you wish to go on as a Financial Accounting Technician with the IFA.

From your original post being an MIAB would be most appropiate for what you wish to do, I have the same kind of practice, Sole tradersPartnerships and similar micro smes. You may want to add Payroll to your qualifications at a later date, also get up to speed on Self assessment etc.
Regarding the AAT ABC as you have found out it only goes up to Level 2 whereas the IAB up to Advanced Diploma, you will be able to do the accounts up to Final Accounts. The ABC Cert. was really framed for Accounting Technicians to have an understanding of Book-keeping to enable them to do their other duties assisting Accountants. My Brother in Law is an ACA and my son works in accounts both have said that Acc.Techs doing Book-keeping is a underuse of qualified staff. It depends what you wish to do, if go into an Industry setting then AAT or FAT with the IFA may be the way. But if you wish to do the books of small business etc. IAB is more than suitable, you may wish to add as well at a later date the IAB Dip.SBFM as it covers some interesting areas.
Also the IAB are expanding their Portfoilio of qualifications that dovetail nicely with existing qualifications for folks like us.

Sorry to be long winded but hope this helps, give me a shout if you need any help etc. All the best with your studies and future business. Robbiew gave you a good insight into how things are outside the IAB fold so to speak BTW hope things are working out for you friend...

Oh by the way I don't get paid commission from the IAB....

robbiew · Veteran Member

Hello again,

I dont know what kind of Mac you have, but I do all my work on my iMac using parallels software. I have Vista installed on the machine and all my windows programs run perfectly. In fact, because they are installed on the mac, I have never suffered any of the usual MS Windows crashes, hangs etc!

It would be cheaper to spend about £40 on the Parallels software rather than buy a new PC!! wink

Rob

DottyP · Newbie

Thanks very much for that beancounter. Posted my cheque to Woodgrove last week so relieved to hear another person recommend them! Thanks also for confirming that IAB is a good decision for me. Hoping to receive my course paperwork today and crack on as soon as possible. Hopefully i'll be back on this forum asking further questions once i've passed!

Best regards,

-- Edited by DottyP at 09:15, 2008-04-07

DottyP · Newbie

Thanks robbiew and good tip. Was a bit worried there than Macs were going to be alienated in the accounting world.....

vian1975 · Newbie

AAT Bookkeeping (ABC) Study materials £175

ssh · Newbie

RE: Confused by choice.. ICB, IAB or AAT - which qualification is best?

robbiew · Veteran Member

Hi,

As ssh said, the course is simple and easy to follow and is well written for unsupported study. I'm half way through the course and have never felt the need to ask for anyone's assistance! wink

Rob

Jennifer73 · Newbie

Can anyone tell me do you get the letters ICB after your name on membership? Or what letters do you get?

I know with IAB there is AIAB, MIAB and FIAB

Please clear this for me thanks!!!

Peasie · Expert

With the ICB you can use the letters MICB after your name when you have passed Level III Manual Bookkeeping and Level III Computerised Bookkeeping. This applies from the 30th September 2011 onwards when you have to pass both.

When you have passed Level II Manual Bookkeeping and Level II Computerised Bookkeeping you can use the letters AICB after your name.

There is also a FICB but it is more complicated and you'd be best going to the ICB website for more info on that one.

ICBUK · Guru

Hi Jennifer,

The letters stand for the level of membership, followed by the bodies initials:

Associate = AICB or AIAB

Member = MICB or MIAB or MAAT

Fellow = FICB or FIAB or FMAAT

Jennifer73 · Newbie

Thank you for the reply.

Now the killer question!!!

Which is better IAB or ICB??? Or technically are there any differences between the two?

ICBUK · Guru

Ah this is a common one smile , there have been some posts on here before about it.

I guess lets start with where you are coming from, if you are studying you need to think about how you want to study and who has the courses available.

You should probably also consider AAT.

If you want to study in a college then most likely AAT or IAB would suit best, contact your local college for details on which they offer. They might not offer either choosing to offer City and Guilds or OCR for example, in which case get in touch with the body to find out about exemptions.

If you wanted distance learning then ICB would probably be more flexible in terms of more centres etc.

Also there is the end result, employed or self employed. Employed then AAT would probably come out top, self employed I would say ICB (but I am bias biggrin )

Of course the qualification does not matter so much for membership, as if you chose a college course with AAT you could always apply for ICB membership after you have qualified, or if you did distance learning with ICB you could apply to IAB for membership etc.

In terms of membership then best to ring them and talk about the benefits, also ask for some advice on the bookkeeping industry. These bodies are supposed to be the people you turn to for advice and support so telephone manner means a lot!

Compare what support they offer, maybe number of networking and CPD events if you are interested in that, any other 3rd party benefits such as insurance (self employed). If you are interested also ask about what they do for the industry, visits to parliament etc.

ICB benefits basic: http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Membership/Benefits%20of%20Membership

ICB benefits self employed: http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Membership/Benefits%20of%20Membership%20in%20Practice

AAT benefits: http://www.aat.org.uk/content/item1243/

IAB benefits: http://www.iab.org.uk/mems_benefits.asp

Hope this helps

Jennifer73 · Newbie

Thanks again!
Im hoping to gain membership via exemption, but unsure what level my current qualifaications will get me.
B190 pass 2010 (OU)
B291 grade 4 pass 2011. Currently waiting to sit B292, this will give me a Professional Certificate in Accounting. I am also due to receive Certificate in Business Studies.(All with OU)
Am currently employed but do see myself venturing into self employment, even using my home as ofice for time being.

ADAS · Guru

Jennifer73 wrote:
Which is better IAB or ICB??? Or technically are there any differences between the two?

I can't speak for the IAB but I chose ICB because I wanted the flexibility of being able to do the exams on demand. I wanted to qualify for a practising certificate as quickly as possible for MLR coverage and a certain amount of creditibility.

I'm happy that studying with ICB allowed me to do that.

ICBUK · Guru

Ah in which case forget the study bit, when you have done the B292 you can join the ICB as a Full Member (Certified Bookkeeper).

Not sure about the AAT best to contact them. The IAB will let you join them as a full member with just the B190 (contact them to confirm).

Skip to the last bit of my previous post that links to the benefits of each body. Also have a poke around each website and see what they have been up to recently.

If you have any questions about the ICB feel free to call 0845 060 2345, you can ask for me.

Karen GTS · Member

Hi All,

I've just been reading through all the posts. The IAB do offer On Demand exam sittings throughout the year which are available to both internal and external students. I run IAB distance learning courses and many of our students go down the On Demand route as it speeds up how quickly then can obtain the qualifications and also fits in better with workload etc.

I have myself completed AAT and currently I'm halfway through ACCA. I would highly recommend IAB courses to anyone who is looking at running a bookkeeping business as you are only studying exactly what you need to do this, no more no less.

I have also been an IAB examiner for a few years now and would highly recommend their qualifications.

Whilst I'm obviously going to recommend the IAB I have experience of studying with other accountancy bodies and therefore have based the above on my own experience.

Hope this helps

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Karen,

welcome to the forum and many thanks for the insider input.

This one is an old thread and the speed that things change with professional bodies I'm sure that some of it was no longer relevant.

That actually does raise a good point in that there is a lot of AAT advice on the site which was valid when it was written but is now incorrect so just a warning there to readers to also always clarify the contents of old posts that they read on here.

looking forwards to chatting Karen and good luck with the ACCA.

Which papers will you be sitting this June?

kind regards,

Shaun.

Karen GTS · Member

Hi Shaun,

Yes I appreciate it's an old post and things change but there are so many students who don't realise IAB do On Demand exams also.

I have F9 to do next .... and I'm not looking forward to it one bit!

Kind Regards

Karen

ICBUK · Guru

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the forum.

I cannot find any mention of on demand exams on the IAB website, they say distance learning have fixed exam dates.

Which qualifications is this for? Where can students sit these exams?

Thanks

Karen GTS · Member

Hi James,

Thank you

We offer distance learning Manual and Computerised Bookkeeping and Payroll Courses and many of our students sit On Demand exam sittings.

Students can sit the exams at any IAB Accredited Centre and there are now lots more Centres offering On Demand exam sittings both to internal and external students. I have also taught in FE for a while and we used On Demand exam sittings then (I'm going back a few years) as it fits in better with the short courses.

There are so many options for students nowadays they are spoilt for choice aren't they.

Karen

ICBUK · Guru

Hi,

I guess they need to update their website then smile .

This is a link to their timetable for distance learning students, it says they have exams in January and June only: http://www.iab.org.uk/pub/2013_Timetable_UK_External_Centres.pdf (it's the same pdf you have on your website under Exams).

They mention for the computerised bookkeeping and payroll that they have centres in London, Edinburgh and Peterborough, but that it is possible, because of insufficient demand, that the student's chosen centre might not be available.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi James,

I visited a Pitman training centre some time ago (not a student of theirs, it was a professional visit) and I noticed that they were hosting an IAB exam. Now I know that another Pitman centre did ICB exams and I asked about this and apparently on a centre by centre basis as they are a franchise operation centre managers decide who they are affiliated with (one, both, neither).

Thats getting off the subject slightly but the thought occurs that the statement about only three centres cannot be right if I saw IAB exams being taken in a Pitman training centre.

Note that this is not something that I've looked at but just thought worth mentioning my own observations.

kindest regards,

Shaun.

Karen GTS · Member

Hi James,

I will pass on this comment as it would benefit the IAB having this illustrated, so students are aware of their options.

The Centres you list are the main ones yes, however our students, and many others, use the premises of private training providers to sit their exams. One main provider has many Centres all over the UK so is easily accessible to our students. Other students can request to sit the exams at their local College, for example if the College are unable to run the next level course due to low numbers they quite often will accept the students for exam sittings. Granted the fees will be slightly higher however it's a huge bonus to sit the exam where and when you want.

Karen

ICBUK · Guru

Hi Shaun,

Good point, on further investigation I can see something about Pitman centres. It probably is just a case of the IAB needing to update their website then smile

A few years ago the ICB used to work with all Pitman Centres on a group accreditation policy, but it became apparent quite quickly that the standards in each franchise varies quite a bit and so this accreditation was withdrawn from most centres. Some of which increased their standards to meet the requirements, most didn't.

ICB still works with about 10 of the top centres.

The same goes for who ICB use as examination centres.

Karen GTS · Member

Hi Both,

To be honest from a students point of view, and I am still a student, it wouldn't bother me what the Centre's results are where I sat the exam. My main priority would be is the exam invigilated correctly and are the resources available that I require. If everything is set up correctly then I would be happy to proceed to sit my exam there. At the end of the day my tuition would be gained elsewhere (as a distance learning student) and my exam results wouldn't impact on the Centre's results with me being an external student.

I have sat exams in a mixture of places whilst studying ACCA ranging from being at the NEC, Aston Villa Leisure Centre etc none of which are training premises but all ran smoothly.

I guess my point is that as a student you want to sit the exam close to home rather than travel. If the Centre or Building meets all of the exam/invigilator requirements then all is good.

Karen

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Loved the Villa and NEC and the other one over the other side of Brum when the ACCA was trying to find a new home for the exams after the Villa aasbestos scare (can't remember what it was called).

Hating Hockley Circus as you just can't get back out of the carpark again.

But, the organisation of the running of the exams is second to none and the ACCA invigilator team is excellent

Karen GTS · Member

Yes they were good. Was the other one Digbeth way from memory?

I'm further up North now and the last exam I went to Newcastle Under Lyme which was still good. I need to get back into studying as I've had some time off ..... F9 is not one of my favourite subjects though!

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Pretty sure that it wasn't digbeth (thats behind the bull ring where the old bus station is isn't it?). This one was out towards Edgebaston. Thats going to irritate me all day now. I could drive to the place, I can still see the place in my head but for the life of it I cannot remember the name of the it.

Maybe my fond memories of that one were caused by passing both P1 and P3 at the only sitting that I sat there.

I didn't even know that there was a centre at Newcastle under lyme... I bet thats easier for me to get to than Brum (I'm based in Hednesford near Cannock and my offices are down the road in Rugeley).

I was the same with F9 (still 2.4 when I did it).

My issue was that it was so linked into the day job (management consulting / business analysis in banking) that I found it difficult to study when I kept thinking "But that's not how you do that in the real world!".

If you are like myself you will find the higher level papers P3 and P5 much better as they are related to real life application and function management than the skills level papers.

Good luck with F9 Karen.

Talk soon,

Shaun.

Karen GTS · Member

I don't recall going there. I think they split us up as the buildings were smaller than the usual venues.

Well done to you for passing both!

I used to live on the new estate in Wimblebury so not far away from you at all! It would be quicker going to Newcastle and had I known about it then I would have done. I guess I just automatically opted for Birmingham as I was studying at Kaplan Birmingham at the time.

I'm planning on taking F9 in December as unfortunately work/life issues have prevented me doing much studying until recently. I have the study scheme but thats about as far as I've got so far!

Thanks.

Karen

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

I think that you are right. The centre was much smaller than the old hall at Villa so they probably had split us.

The Wimblebury estate was built at the same time as mine.

I'm on the little estate of about 30 houses behind the cross keys where the old football ground used to be.... Small world isn't it.

As with yourself I just opted for Brum oblivioous to a centre at Newcastle which as you say would be easier to get to... Love the fact that I discover this just on the run up to the last exam.... Doh.

Karen GTS · Member

Ah right. Did you go to Kingsmead then?

Ha Ha it's always the way isn't it! Well done for being on your last exam! Who are you studying with?

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Karen,

I went to Fair Oak but back when it had just converted from being a grammar school so still got taught Latin and the classics (I remember no Latin at all).

My boy now goes there and it is REALLY a different school!

Personally I self study but I am very strict with myself on the study front and it works for me.

When I started I did the Open University certificate in Accounting which gave me a good grounding.

First few ACCA papers I used BPP study materials but quickly found my learning style more alligned to Kaplans read, try, repetition and variance.

Study kit for each paper is (in the sequence studied) :

BPP I-Learn
Kaplan Study Text
BPP and/or Kaplan exam kits

I also have an extensive library of accounting books running to seven full size billy bookcases... I don't read them all. Just like to give a good home to old books.

Just occassionally I hit something that fazes me and know that the answer will be in one of those books... And you soon find which one's to go to first.

Karen GTS · Member

Ah right, a better school than I went to then

Self study is hard, I have done it to some extent and then gone to Kaplan for the revision only. If I could afford to pay for the full course I would and I think I will end up doing this with F9.

I'm also collecting study books as I did AAT first. You're right that they do come in handy.

Good luck in your June exam!