ICB Level 3 Comp and sage 50 self study ? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Ali · Member

ICB Level 3 Comp and sage 50 self study ?

Julie · Senior Member

Hi Ali,

I would say no - the reason being is that the level 3 paper is more complex and requires you to know about prepayments, fixed assets, accurals etc., and how to process adjustments and deal with stock. I suggest you buy a past paper to see what I mean.

The sage study modules are great to get more out of using Sage (I can recommend them) but I really don`t think that using these alone will help you through paper 3. I was given `Business Accounts` book from Osborne a few years ago and used this, but I scraped through paper 3 and decided to start studing the AAT to gain more grounding / knowledge.

Hope this helps !

Julie

Kynan · Member

Julie wrote:

Hi Ali,

I would say no - the reason being is that the level 3 paper is more complex and requires you to know about prepayments, fixed assets, accurals etc., and how to process adjustments and deal with stock. I suggest you buy a past paper to see what I mean.

The sage study modules are great to get more out of using Sage (I can recommend them) but I really don`t think that using these alone will help you through paper 3. I was given `Business Accounts` book from Osborne a few years ago and used this, but I scraped through paper 3 and decided to start studing the AAT to gain more grounding / knowledge.

Hope this helps !

Julie

Hi Julie

Having done ICB and AAT, which would you say was the most useful ?

I have done the level 2 and am trying to decide whether to stay on the ICB route or to cross over to AAT.

A local accountant is suggesting that AAT is perhaps better in terms of offering avenues for progression but for the moment I'm interested in doing some self-employed work alongside my existing non-financial job.

Regards
Kynan

Julie · Senior Member

Hi Kynan,

In terms of getting you quickly into self employment, then ICB would be the route to take as after passing level 2 either or manual / computerised you can then apply for your practicing certificate. Taking ICB level 3 and perhaps payroll will enable you to add to the services you provide under the banner of ICB.

Your accountant does have a point in suggesting AAT because I personally feel that although ICB is an excellent starting point, it unfortunately is not as recognised as AAT, plus AAT will offer more in terms of progression if you wish to take it further. Although I feel that it is generally only accountants who say ICB ? From the clients point of view, as long as you can provide a good bookkeeping service and cater for their needs then what qualifications you have are largely un-important - its practical experience they look for.

My reason for doing AAT is twofold, one, sad as it may be, I actually like accounts and want to know more and secondly, if I decided one day that being self employed is not for me, then I know by reading the jobs sections / recuitement agencies, I will have a better chance of getting my foot through the door with AAT.

Julie

Ali · Member

Hi,Julie

Thanks a lot for your suggestions

Kynan · Member

Julie wrote:

Hi Kynan,

In terms of getting you quickly into self employment, then ICB would be the route to take as after passing level 2 either or manual / computerised you can then apply for your practicing certificate. Taking ICB level 3 and perhaps payroll will enable you to add to the services you provide under the banner of ICB.

Your accountant does have a point in suggesting AAT because I personally feel that although ICB is an excellent starting point, it unfortunately is not as recognised as AAT, plus AAT will offer more in terms of progression if you wish to take it further. Although I feel that it is generally only accountants who say ICB ? From the clients point of view, as long as you can provide a good bookkeeping service and cater for their needs then what qualifications you have are largely un-important - its practical experience they look for.

My reason for doing AAT is twofold, one, sad as it may be, I actually like accounts and want to know more and secondly, if I decided one day that being self employed is not for me, then I know by reading the jobs sections / recuitement agencies, I will have a better chance of getting my foot through the door with AAT.

Julie

Thanks Julie,

I too am enjoying the learning. I am just concerned that if I do the ICB 3, any later AAT study might be duplicating what I have already learnt. Did you find this was the case?

Kynan

Julie · Senior Member

Hi Kynan,

I`m doing the diploma AAT rather than the NVQ route and although I could of gone in at Intermediate level, I really wanted to start from scratch as what knowledge I have gained so far is by way of practical experience and reading the odd book as I have gone along. I have completed the certificate level and now I am about to start the Intermediate level.

All I can say so far is some aspects are repeated but it tends to go into more depth. If you check out the AAT website, look at the Student page and you will be able to download for free past papers, this will give you an idea of what is involved before you make your decision.

Julie