ICB Qualifications

Occupational Role: Assistant Bookkeeper

Gain a full understanding of the concepts of double entry bookkeeping and its place in modern business. You'll learn how to enter transactions, produce an initial trial balance, identify and correct errors, and reconcile sales & purchases ledger balances.

Membership Grade: Associate Member

Upon successful completion of this qualification you can apply to join ICB as an Associate Member to use the designatory letters AICB after your name demonstrating your professional expertise.

Entry requirements

You must register as an ICB Student, but there are no formal entry requirements and you don't need any bookkeeping knowledge to begin. Basic numeracy and English language proficiency required.

Duration

120 guided learning hours

or

6 -18 months depending on your study method and other commitments

What's involved 

There are three units with an exam at the end of each one: 

A1 Basic Double-Entry Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
A2 Further Double-Entry Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
A3 Data Entry to Trial Balance using Software

Exams

• Two 2-hour online exams
• One 24-hour online exam
• Can be taken at home, or your office, at any time throughout the year
• The exams must be taken in order, and within 5 years of each other

Cost

Student Membership: £66 annual subscription + £30 one-off registration fee Register Online
Exams: £87 per exam attempt Book Online Student Registration required
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available for each exam. Book Online Student registration NOT required
Training: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £57 per unit for studying independently without a training provider
Software: You will need to use commercial accounting software to complete the A3 exam. If you do not already have the appropriate software, the cost may be included as part of your training course, or you could contact software providers to enquire about a free trial version.

 Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping syllabus

Occupational Role: Self-Employed Bookkeeper/Employed Bookkeeper

Learn how to produce a VAT Return, control the sales and purchases ledgers, post year-end adjustments and produce the final accounts for sole traders, partnerships, not-for-profit organisations and Limited Companies. You'll understand the basics of the various accounting standards (IFRS and UKGAAP).

Membership Grade: Member

Upon successful completion of this qualification you can apply to join ICB as a full Member, Certified Bookkeeper to use the designatory letters MICB after your name demonstrating your professional expertise.

Entry requirements

You can begin this certificate when you have achieved the ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping or its equivalent with another awarding body.

You will need current ICB membership or

current student registration and have completed your most recent examination within the last two years.

Duration

180 guided learning hours

or

9 - 24 months depending on your study method and other commitments

What's involved 

There are four units each with an exam at the end, followed by one final synoptic exam.

M4 Reconciliations and Final Accounts of a Sole Trader
M5 Final Accounts for a Partnership
M6 Final Accounts for a Not-for-Profit Organisation
M7 Final Accounts for Incorporated Businesses
M8 Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts Synoptic Exam

Exams

• Four 3-hour online exams; can be taken at home or your place of work
• One 2-hour synoptic exam to be taken under remote invigilation
• Exams must be taken in order and within five years of each other
• Exams are available at any time of year

Cost

Student Membership: £66 annually
Exams: £87 per exam attempt Book Online Student Registration required (exam centre fees included at no extra cost)
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available for each exam. Book Online Student registration NOT required
Training: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £57 per unit for studying independently without a training provider

 Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts syllabus

This qualification covers the theoretical knowledge and demonstration of the use of various tables and publications issued by HMRC and the demonstration of how to carry out computerised handling of payroll related matters.

Membership Grade: Payroll Agent

Upon successful completion of this qualification you can apply to join ICB as a Payroll Agent. ICB Associate or Members who complete this qualification can use the designatory letters PM.Dip after their membership designatory letters.

Entry Requirements

No prior bookkeeping or payroll knowledge or qualifications are required, but candidates must have basic numeracy skills. You do not need to have completed the preceding Level 2 Certificate in Payroll Administration but may find that a useful starting point if you are new to the subject.

Candidates must:

hold valid student registration or ICB membership

Assessment Type

One timed online assessment. Time allowed for completion: 24 hours. 

Availability

Immediate in every week of the year

Cost

Student Membership: £66 annual subscription + £30 one-off registration fee Register Online
Exams: £99 per exam attempt Book Online Student Registration or Membership required
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available. Book Online Student registration NOT required
Training: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £115 per unit for studying independently without a training provider Buy Online
Software: You will need to have access to commercial payroll software to take your exam. If you do not already have appropriate software, the cost may be included as part of your training course, or you could contact software providers to enquire about a free trial version.

 Level III Diploma in Payroll Management Syllabus

Learn how to complete Self Assessment Tax returns for individuals and businesses (sole traders and partners) 

Membership Grade: Fellow*

*Upon successful completion of this qualification, together with two further Level 4 qualifications and after two years' good standing as a full ICB Member, you can apply to ICB to become a Fellow and use the designatory letters FICB. This demonstrates your advanced competency and your attainment of ICB's highest level of membership.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must achieve (or gain exemption from) the following ICB qualifications before applying:

Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping 
Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts

Candidates must also:

hold valid ICB membership or
hold valid student registration and have completed their most recent exam within the last two years

Exams

• One online exam; can be taken at home or your place of work
• Exams are available at any time of year

Cost

Registration: You must be a registered student or member to complete your exam
Exams: £110 per exam attempt. Registration required Book Online
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available for each exam. Registration NOT required Book Online 
Training Course: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £80 per unit for studying independently without a training provider Purchase Online

> Syllabus

Learn how to prepare corporation tax returns for micro and small businesses. 

Membership Grade: Fellow*

*Upon successful completion of this qualification, together with two further Level 4 qualifications and after two years' good standing as a full ICB Member, you can apply to ICB to become a Fellow and use the designatory letters FICB. This demonstrates your advanced competency and your attainment of ICB's highest level of membership.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must achieve (or gain exemption from) the following ICB qualifications before applying:

Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping 
Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts

Candidates must also:

hold valid ICB membership or
hold valid student registration and have completed their most recent exam within the last two years

Exams

• One online exam; can be taken at home or your place of work
• Exams are available at any time of year

Cost

Registration: You must be a registered student or member to complete your exam
Exams: £110 per exam attempt. Registration required Book Online
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available for each exam. Registration NOT required Book Online 
Training Course: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £80 per unit for studying independently without a training provider Purchase Online

> Syllabus

Learn how to prepare final accounts for a small or micro-entity under FRS105 or 102, Section 1A

Membership Grade: Fellow*

*Upon successful completion of this qualification, together with two further Level 4 qualifications and after two years' good standing as a full ICB Member, you can apply to ICB to become a Fellow and use the designatory letters FICB. This demonstrates your advanced competency and your attainment of ICB's highest level of membership.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must achieve (or gain exemption from) the following ICB qualifications before applying:

Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping 
Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts

Candidates must also:

hold valid ICB membership or
hold valid student registration and have completed their most recent exam within the last two years

Exams

• One online exam; can be taken at home or your place of work
• Exams are available at any time of year

Cost

Registration: You must be a registered student or member to complete your exam
Exams: £110 per exam attempt. Registration required Book Online
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available for each exam. Registration NOT required Book Online 
Training Course: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £92.50 per unit for studying independently without a training provider Purchase Online

> Syllabus

The bookkeeper's relationship with a client need not end with agreeing on the final accounts. The time spent recording transactions and preparing financial statements puts the bookkeeper in a unique and valuable position to help the business identify opportunities to improve performance, profitability and cashflow.

ICB's new Business Insight certificate at Level 4 replaces the existing Management Accounting certificate to provide a qualification that delivers knowledge and skills that will enhance the relationship between the bookkeeper and the client.

This module comprises

1.     Cost behaviour and analysis

2.     Forecasting and budgeting

3.     Performance measurement

4.     Managing the cash operating cycle

5.     Short-term financing decisions

6.     Short-term decision making

7.     Medium-term capital investment decision making

Membership Grade: Fellow*

*Upon successful completion of this qualification, together with two further Level 4 qualifications and after two years' good standing as a full ICB Member, you can apply to ICB to become a Fellow and use the designatory letters FICB. This demonstrates your advanced competency and your attainment of ICB's highest level of membership.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must achieve (or gain exemption from) the following ICB qualifications before applying:

Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping 
Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts

Candidates must also:

hold valid ICB membership or
hold valid student registration and have completed their most recent exam within the last five years

Exams

• One online exam; can be taken at home or your place of work
• Exams are available at any time of year

Cost

Registration: You must be a registered student or member to complete your exam
Exams: £110 per exam attempt. Registration required Book Online
Mocks: £18 per mock. There are two available for each exam. Registration NOT required Book Online 
Training Course: Various depending on your chosen training provider. Please view our list of Accredited Training Providers
Textbooks: from £80 per unit for studying independently without a training provider Purchase Online

> Syllabus

NB. This module supersedes the Certificate in Management Accounting.