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Do I have to do a course to take an Institute examination? |
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No. It is not necessary to undertake a course of study. If you feel that you have sufficient knowledge to complete our examinations, all you need to do is become a Registered Student and apply for the examinations. |
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Do I have to be a member of the Institute to apply for an examination? |
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You are required to be at least a Registered Student to apply for an examination, and your registration period must be valid at the date of the examination. |
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If I am an accountant can I automatically become a member? |
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No. An accountant is obviously normally qualified to a far higher standard than a bookkeeper. However, the Institute needs to ensure that all applicants are competent bookkeepers and it could be that your accounting qualification did not cover bookkeeping in enough depth for our membership purposes. You will therefore need to apply for membership, enclosing a copy of your CV, copies of any relevant qualification certificates, and details of two referees who are willing to act as referees and who are familiar with your bookkeeping work carried out within the last two years. Both referees should be a Chartered or Certified Accountant. You will also be required to complete a Membership Entrance Paper, which is required of all applicants. |
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Will my qualification taken with another organisation exempt me from the Institute's examination?
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The Institute 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 (the ICB will assess this), and was completed within the last two years. You should forward to the Institute 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
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Can I study bookkeeping in a college? |
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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 the Institute's syllabus with you to see if the course is suitable. The syllabus is available from the website
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How long will it take to complete a course? |
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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 the Institute will be available to facilitate the successful completion of your qualification, whenever you are ready for the examination.
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Do I need to be a Registered Student with the Institute to complete a bookkeeping course? |
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You should register as a Student with the Institute upon commencing your course and your student registration will need to be valid when you come to complete one of the Institute's examinations. You may find that if you undertake one of the Institute's accredited courses, the course provider will automatically register you with the Institute for one year. Being a Registered Student of the Institute means that you will receive a Student card and be able to order past papers for revision, purchase Institute merchandise, subscribe to the free newsletter and attend revision seminars in your area, where you can also meet fellow students.
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Where will I sit my computerised examination? |
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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.
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Where will I sit my manual examination ?
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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.
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Will my disability stop me being able to complete an examination? |
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No. If you have a disability that you think may affect your ability to take the examination, please contact the Institute 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 the Institute 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.
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Can I sit an examination overseas?
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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.
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I am in the forces and don't know where I will be stationed when I come to sit the exam
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This is not normally a problem, but do call us to discuss.
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Can I sit my manual examination at home?
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The Level I Certificate in Basic Bookkeeping is a home-based assignment. The Level II and III examinations in Manual Bookkeeping must be completed at a centre. Please contact us if you would like to discuss a Reasonable Adjustment or Special Consideration. |
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What happens if I fail an examination?
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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 the Institute's Technical Support Team, for a charge.
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What happens if I miss the deadline for the return of my home-sitting paper? |
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If you fail to return your paper by the deadline date, your paper will be voided and you will be required to undertake a new assignment, for which the standard examination fee will be payable. |
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After I qualify, will I become a member automatically? |
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No, membership is optional. If you do wish to become a member, you will be required to complete the form enclosed with your certificate or contact the Institute by telephone to upgrade your membership. Fees are payable - please see Fee Structure. All members are required to abide by the Professional Conduct Regulations.
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After qualifying, do I need to upgrade my membership straight away? |
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No, but please note that the Institute 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.
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If I become a member, do I need to pay the subscription fee every year? |
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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 the Institute 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.
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If I am a self-employed member of the Institute do I need a Practice Licence? |
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Yes. All Institute members who are self-employed are required to hold a valid Practice Licence and certificate of Professional Indemnity Insurance. The Institute can recommend an insurance provider that offers members a significant discount. Please contact the Institute for a Practice Licence Information pack.
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Can I make payments to the Institute by Direct Debit? |
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Very shortly. A new scheme is set to be introduced. Information will be available on the website or by calling the Institute on 0845 060 2345. |
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Does the Institute have its own accounting software package?
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ICB Accounts Online is in its final testing stage. Please contact the Institute on 0845 060 2345 for more information.
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Will I benefit from becoming a member of the Institute?
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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.
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