FAQs

Will my qualification taken with another organisation exempt me from the ICB examination?

Can I sit an examination overseas?

I am in the forces and don't know where I will be stationed when I come to sit the exam

Can I sit my examination at home?

What happens if I fail an examination?

Does ICB have its own accounting software package?

Will I benefit from becoming a member of ICB?

Will my qualification taken with another organisation exempt me from the ICB examination?

ICB will only accept you solely on the basis of your qualification if it was awarded by a recognised awarding body, matches the syllabus requirements of our qualifications (ICB will assess this), was gained in the UK, and was completed within the last two years. You should forward to ICB COPIES, not originals, of your qualification certificates. An up to date CV and details of two referees familiar with work carried out by you within the last two years, will assist your application. You will need to complete the application form which can be found here 

If an applicant has previously attempted an ICB examination but failed the paper, an exemption will not be granted even if the applicant has obtained a reciprocal qualification from another awarding body.

Most colleges will have a bookkeeping course of some description, so the best thing to do is make enquiries to colleges in your area. It is advisable that you take a copy of ICB's syllabus with you to see if the course is suitable. The syllabus is available from the website

The length of courses varies and your course provider will be able to advise you. If you are studying at a college, your course will normally take an academic year. If you are doing a home-study course you will be working at your own pace, so some may complete the course in 6 months and others over the course of several years. Rest assured that ICB will be available to facilitate the successful completion of your qualification, whenever you are ready for the examination.

You should register as a Student with ICB upon commencing your course and your student registration will need to be valid when you come to complete one of ICB's examinations. You may find that if you undertake one of ICB's accredited courses, the course provider will automatically register you with ICB for one year. Being a Registered Student of ICB means that you will receive a Student card and be able to order past papers for revision, purchase ICB merchandise, subscribe to the free newsletter and attend revision seminars in your area, where you can also meet fellow students.

If you are studying at a college or with a private training provider, you may be required to sit your computerised examination at their centre. If you are studying on a distance-learning course, your examination will normally be sent to your office or home. You will need an accounting software package on your computer. A spreadsheet package such as Excel is not acceptable for the purpose of completing the computerised examinations.

Where will I sit my manual examination ?

The Level I Certificate in Basic Bookkeeping is completed online in the comfirt of your own home.  The Level II Certificate and Level III Diploma in Manual Bookkeeping are centre-based and you will need to choose from our global network of 5,200 testing centres.  There are no set examination dates and you can book yourself in according to availablility.

No. If you have a disability that you think may affect your ability to take the examination, please contact ICB at least 2 months prior to the intended date of your examination. You will need to complete a 'Reasonable Adjustment or Special Consideration' (RASC) form which can be mailed out to you on request.  The RASC form should be submitted to ICB together with a Doctor's note or other official documentation which gives explanation for, and details, the reason why any adjustments should be made to the normal examination procedure.

Can I sit an examination overseas?

Yes. We are always pleased to organise examinations outside of the UK.  We can arrange for any home-based examinations to be sent to you via email if you make a special request for us to do so.

Centre-based tests can be completed at any of the 5,200 testing centres worldwide according to availablility.

I am in the forces and don't know where I will be stationed when I come to sit the exam

This is not normally a problem, but do call us to discuss.

Can I sit my manual examination at home?

What happens if I fail an examination?

If you do not meet the required standard, you will receive a fail notification and an application to resit the examination. You will be required to pay the standard examination fee for your next attempt. Any third attempt at a paper usually completed at home, must be completed in a centre. You will be given the opportunity to discuss your failed paper with a member of ICB's Technical Support Team, for a charge.

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 at the ICB shop. Fees are payable - please see Fee Structure.  All members are required to abide by the Professional Conduct Regulations.

No, but please note that ICB will only accept you solely on the basis of your qualification if it was completed within the last two years, even if it is an Institute qualification.

Please note that if your ICB qualifications were taken more than two years ago, and your membership has expired over one year ago, you will be required to re-take your examinations.

You will also need to re-take your examinations if you took these over two years ago and wish to take the next level qualification.

Yes, you will be required to pay the annual subscription fee, on time, every year. We shall send you a reminder and a Membership Renewal Form for you to complete. If you do not pay your subscription fee, in full and on time, you will be required to cease membership and return your membership certificate and card. The qualification will still remain but you will lose entitlement to the designatory letters and all other benefits of membership. 

If you decide to cease membership for any reason, you must inform ICB no later than one month prior to the expiry of your current membership period or you will be liable to pay the subsequent year's membership in full.

Yes. All ICB members who are self-employed are required to hold a valid Practice Licence and certificate of Professional Indemnity Insurance. ICB can recommend an insurance provider that offers members a significant discount. Please contact ICB for a Practice Licence Information pack.

Does ICB have its own accounting software package?

Will I benefit from becoming a member of ICB?

Yes! The free legal and technical advice is worth being a member for all by itself. In addition, you will have professional letters after your name and professional recognition, the support of a professional body behind you, someone to talk to whenever you need professional advice, regular legislation/tax updates via the monthly e-newsletter, local networking meetings, and invitations to annual CPD seminars designed specifically for ICB members.