Membership
Practising
How do I log in?
You can log in using your registered email address and password. Just click Login in the top right corner of the website. By clicking MyICB you can log in straight to your account page.
If you need a new password to log in, please click the Forgotten Password link in the login box. We will then email a new password to your registered email address.
If you do not know what email address you registered with, or no longer have access to those emails, you will need to contact ICB customer support to request your email address and login details to be reset. Please quote your ICB Number and contact details by email to access@bookkeepers.org.uk or by telephone to 0845 060 2345.
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How do I change my details?
You can change your details online in the Account Settings section of MyICB or by telephone.
You cannot change your name online. Please contact ICB Member Services to make any changes to your name. You may need to provide documentation, for example when you get married.
Member Services: 0845 060 2345 details@bookkeepers.org.uk
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How do I renew my membership?
You can renew your membership at any time online via MyICB or by telephone on 0845 060 2345. By viewing your Account Settings in MyICB you can see when your membership expires.
To renew your membership by Direct Debit please contact ICB on 0845 060 2345.
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When can I upgrade?
You can upgrade to a higher level of membership as soon as you have completed the necessary qualifications and received your pass notification.
You can upgrade online in MyICB or by telephone.
If you have a significant portion remaining on your current membership period, you should contact ICB to request to 'pay the difference' in membership fees as per Option 1 in the table below. Please note Option 2 is actually more cost-effective.
| Upgrade Option |
Price |
1.
Move between grades of membership without extending membership period (available by telephone only) |
The difference in the two fees, or £40.00, whichever is greater |
2.
Move between grades of membership and add one year to the end of current membership period |
Annual fee for new grade of membership payable in full |
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Do I automatically become a member when I pass?
No, membership is optional. If you do wish to become a member, you can contact ICB by telephone to upgrade your membership or upgrade online by logging in to MyICB. Fees are payable - please see Fees & Subscriptions.
Members are required to abide by the Professional Conduct Regulations
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Can I call myself a Certified Bookkeeper?
Certified Bookkeeper is the protected title for full Members (MICB) and Fellows (FICB) of ICB. Associate Members should not refer to themselves as a Certified Bookkeeper.
For more information on the qualifications required for Certified Bookkeeper status please visit:
> Qualifications & Examinations
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Where is my newsletter?
ICB issues a regular newsletter via email to your registered email address. If you are not receiving yours please contact ICB Member Services for assistance.
You can update your email subscription preferences via Account Settings in MyICB
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How do I get more involved?
There are various ways you can get more involved in ICB:
> Attend/organise events at your Local Branch
> Be active in the online Forum
> Apply to join the Advisory Council
> Apply for Fellowship (full Members only)
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How do I complain?
ICB has established a quality assurance system for its membership and qualifications processes. If you would like to make a complaint about any aspect of the service we have provided to you please send details, together with your ICB Number and contact information, via email to memberservices@bookkeepers.org.uk You should receive a confirmation email and may be asked to submit further details in writing before your complaint is investigated further. We aim to resolve any issues in a timely and efficient manner.
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How do I join a Branch?
There is no formal process of joining so you can find your local Branch and book to attend an event at your convenience throughout the year. You may wish to find your local Branch on the Forum too so you can let people know when you're planning to attend your first meeting, and meet the community online first.
> Find your local Branch
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How do I cancel my membership?
If you wish to cancel your Student Registration you do not need to anything. Your registration will lapse at the end of your current registration period. If you would like to stop receiving communication from ICB, please contact us by email or telephone to be removed from the mailing list.
If you wish to cancel your membership, or Practice Licence, please contact ICB by email or telephone to confirm that you are resigning your membership. ICB will then issue a form for you to complete the resignation. Please note you will be liable for any outstanding fees up to and including the forthcoming year's fees unless written notification of your resignation is received no less than one month prior to the due date of such fees. Resigning your membership may affect future ICB membership applications. Please see Terms and Conditions and Regulations for further information regarding membership resignation and resumption of membership.
Please note, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, ICB does not offer refunds, whole or in part, of any membership fees.
> Terms and Conditions
> Ethics & Regulations
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What if I’ve retired?
ICB has lots of members who retain membership and keep working as a bookkeeper during retirement. Once you have reached 65 years of age you can apply to receive a 25% discount on your annual membership subscription; just send documentation to confirm your age by post or email.
In certain cases ICB is pleased to award Lifetime Membership to exemplar members who have reached retirement age and have indeed retired but wish to retain membership. The Lifetime Membership grade offers an indefinite, continuous period of membership for a nominal one-off fee.
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How do I get a Practice Licence?
Associate Members, Members or Fellows can apply for a Practice Licence at any time. The application process usually takes at least one month. You will need to pay an annual fee for the Practice Licence and comply with further regulations. For more information on the Practice Licence and its requirements please visit:
> Running a Practice
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Do I need a Practice Licence?
All members in public practice are required to hold an ICB Practice Licence, this applies even if you have a Practice Licence with another body.
If you hold a Practice Licence with a chartered accountancy body such as ICAEW or ACCA, that body will be your supervisor under the Money Laundering Regulations (you should not have two supervisors.) Please send a copy of your supervision certifcate to ICB when you apply for your Practice Licence to opt out of the ICB AML scheme.
> MLR
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How do I cancel the Practice Licence?
You are usually required to retain your Practice Licence even if you have reduced the size of your practice, are no longer charging a fee, or have reached retirement age. Please contact ICB on 0845 060 2345 to discuss the details of your situation.
If you are no longer in public practice please let ICB know at the earliest opportunity and send notification in writing or by email. You will be sent a Non-Practising Declaration Form to sign to confirm you have closed the practice and completed the necessary steps to officially cease trading. It is your responsibility to ensure that you fully complete the cancellation process and you should not consider your Licence cancelled until you have received confirmation of such from ICB.
You will be liable for all outstanding Practice Licence fees up to and including the forthcoming year's renewal fee unless written notification that you have ceased practising is received at least one month prior to the due date of your renewal fee.
Plesae note refunds are not issued for unused portions of Membership fees or Practice Licence fees.
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How do I update my Find a Bookkeeper Directory listing?
ICB Practices are automatically listed in the Find a Bookkeeper Directory unless they request otherwise at the point of application. If you have a Practice Licence you can change the information displayed in your listing via the Account Settings page of MyICB.
In Account Settings select My Practice Directory details from the left and select what information you wish to show to the public.
The options to show your website & logo, and add a short company description will not be available unless you take out a Premium Directory Listing.
> Find a Bookkeeper
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How do I change the name of my Practice?
Please contact ICB immediately upon making any changes to the name of your company, or the company structure. Your Practice Licence must show the correct name of your business and will need to be reissued for a nominal fee.
If you are changing the nature of the business; to, or from, a Limited Company for example, an entirely new Practice Licence will need to be applied for in the name of the new entity.
In any event, please contact ICB for advice. You may be asked to forward supporting documentation.
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How do I update my address?
You can update the address of your Practice in the Account Settings section of MyICB. Please note, if your home address and Practice address were previously the same, the two addresses may be linked within your account and changing your Practice address may also affect your home address. If you think this has happened, and you need to separate the two, please contact ICB to request the change to be made for you.
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Do I need to do AML?
As a bookkeeper in public practice it is a legal requirement that you undertake AML (anti-money laundering) to identify, prevent and report money laundering offences. You are also required to be monitored by an HM Treasury appointed supervisory authority, such as ICB.
ICB supervises members in public practice through its compulsory Practice Licence scheme and, in certain circumstances, can supervise non-members through the Supervision Licence scheme. If you are supervised by ICB you can make use of the online AML recording tool, AML Online, and the restricted access MLR section of the website.
As part of its duty to HM Treasury as a supervisory authority, ICB routinely contacts members via telephone and email to ensure members are keeping proper records. ICB is also required to visit a number of members each year to inspect their records.
> MLR
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Where can I record AML?
The ICB's proprietary AML recording software is free for ICB Practice Licence holders and Supervision Licence holders. Your AML records must be available for inspection if you are visited by the ICB Compliance Team. Find out more about how and what to record as part of your AML procedures:
> AML Overview
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How do I get help?
Please take advantage of the free technical support line available on 0845 060 2345. You can speak to us about any aspect of your membership or your business and we will be happy to help. As part of your membership you can benefit from the following support on the same number:
Free Membership Support Lines:
Tax, VAT, Legal advice
Insolvency advice
Technical bookkeeping advice
Business support advice
AML guidance
0845 060 2345 is a local rate number when called from a UK landline. Please visit the Contact Us page to find ICB's current geographical landline if calling from a mobile.
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How do I find clients/ grow my business?
It is your responsiblity to grow your business but there are lots of resources available to help you as part of your membership. If you would like to speak to ICB or a fellow member about growing your business, please call ICB on 0845 060 2345. Meanwhile please take advantage of these resources:
> Running a Practice premium web content exclusive to Practice Licence holders
> Business legal documents library paid for options available
> Online Forum
> Branch Meetings
> Annual Conference
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I have too much work can you help?
Being part of the world's leading professional body for bookkeepers means that you have a valuable resource at hand to help you provide continuity of service to your clients. If you find yourself with too much work, or become unable to work for whatever reason, you can contact ICB directly or post a vacancy on the ICB Find a Bookkeeper page.
Please make use of the ICB network and always insist on an ICB member if you are looking for any of the following:
A new member of staff
Trainee
Subcontractor
Business partner
Maternity leave cover
Sick leave cover
ICB meetings provide an excellent opportunity to meet potential colleagues so that you can prepare for future eventualities and feel confident that your business is in good hands.
> Find a Bookkeeper
> Subcontracting
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I have a problem with a client, can you help?
It is thankfully exceptionally rare that ICB members experience significant issues with their clients. In ICB experience, most client disputes can be resolved by dealing with the issue early-on in a co-operative manner.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with your clients, please contact ICB to ask to speak to us in confidence. If you suspect that one of your clients is going to launch a complaint against you, please contact ICB as soon as possible.
In the event that a formal complaint is made against you, the complaint will be dealt with by the Investigation Officer and brought to the attention of the Disciplinary Panel in accordance with the Professional Conduct Regulations. In ICB experience, the professional bookkeeper's preference for meticulous detail and record-keeping holds them in good stead during such investigations, however, you should familiarise yourself with what consititutes misconduct according to the Professional Conduct Regulations.
> Professional Conduct Regulations
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