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Hi,
Having obtained my AICB membership, I was hoping that it would open a few more doors in the employment market. Unfortunately I seem to be lacking in some areas, judging from the replies I have got. Often or not, employers are looking for AAT part or fully qualified candidates.
How do my AICB and Dip PM qualifications stand up against an AAT qualification? Will employers take notice of a full ICB membereship and will they take notice of an IAB qualification?
What does one have to do win a suitable bookkeeping vacancy?
Any comments will be useful and appreciated.
Regards,
Andrew Fleming
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I'll try to answer this as best I can, but I'm self-employed so haven't really come up against this problem myself, although this subject has come up before, and I think it will continue to do so until the industry gets it's head around who we are.
I always explain to potential clients that I am a member of the ICB (who they have usually never heard of) and I explain they are the largest bookkeeping Institute in the world and are like AAT, but specifically for bookkeepers. I explain that the examinations set by ICB ensure that this specialised area is covered in detail, and direct them to the website if they want to read up further on the Institute. I think we do need to sell the ICB and eventually, with enough of us doing so, we will become more established in the marketplace. My advice would be to include a small paragraph in your letter setting out your membership/qualifications, and the benefits they would get from your "specialist" training.
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Andrea,
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. What you have suggested I am for the most part already doing, but I am starting to get a little bit frustrated. I do not know if it is ths ICB's responsibility to put itself about or ours. I have a feeling that if one wishes to starty up by ones self, then the ICB qualifications might be OK, but if you are looking for employment, then the AAT qualifications might be better.
This is not the ICB's fault, but the HLC do push through the ICB qualifications as employment qualifications.
Even though starting up by oneself is an option, I do not have the necessary Capital behind me to go down this route yet.
Best Wishes,
Andrew Fleming.
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This is quite a difficult area and is discussed on the forum repeatedly having said that I fully endorse
what Andrea said in reply.
The AAT qualifications are of excellent quality and qualify students to work in "accounting" situations. The ICB qualifications (and IAB I daresay) are bookkeeping qualifications which is not "accounting" but a specific part thereof.
When it comes to getting clients I think it comes down to "selling yourself" and the quaifications are your industry-certifiable benchmark of ability and knowledge. Clients are variously obsessed by one's qulaifications or faintly interested and whilst that is their prerogative it is up to us as bookkeepers to "sell ourselves" and the service we are bringing to them.
If you regard the ICB/IAB/AAT et al qualifications as the "hard" skills then there is a compelling (and understated to my mind) need for the "soft" skills. These can be many things but for our sector I would say good communications (written and oral), friendly/affable nature, patience, approachability, punctuality and reliability, are just a few of the qualities that we might pay attention to.
I am still fairly new to this but am quite sure that I have gained clients more from my manner/demeanour/personality/persuasive nature and similar "people" attributes rather than the qualifications I possess.
A lot of bookkeeping is about studying accounts, being persistent, analytical, perceptive and integrity. It is also a lot about how well you get on with people.
*dismounts from soapbox 
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Rockyflemingsaid:
“Andrea,
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. What you have suggested I am for the most part already doing, but I am starting to get a little bit frustrated. I do not know if it is ths ICB's responsibility to put itself about or ours. I have a feeling that if one wishes to starty up by ones self, then the ICB qualifications might be OK, but if you are looking for employment, then the AAT qualifications might be better.
This is not the ICB's fault, but the HLC do push through the ICB qualifications as employment qualifications.
Even though starting up by oneself is an option, I do not have the necessary Capital behind me to go down this route yet.
Best Wishes,
Andrew Fleming. ”
Hi Rock,
I have been studying for some years now starting with ICB. I have recently passed an exam with the Open University for Financial Accounting which is a level 5 qualification. I have been looking on exemptions from the AAT and if I wanted to go down that road I would gain some exemptions from the AAT on my level 3. I have earlier done my level 2. My advice to you is that contact the Open university and from home you could do Financial Accounting and Management accounting and gain the Professional certificate in Accounting and your skills will then come close to AAT,
Kind Regards
Paula Welsh
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Paula,
Thank you very much your reply. I am currently embarking on the level 3 Bookkeeping courses, only just enrolled though. I have been with the OU previously, as I have a BSc Hons from them. So their system is nothing new to me.
Unfotunately what you do not know is that my age is very much against me, which I think is the main reason why I have trouble finding employment. I have been looking into self employment, but struggling to find the capitol.
from Andrew.
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Rockyflemingsaid:
“Paula,
Thank you very much your reply. I am currently embarking on the level 3 Bookkeeping courses, only just enrolled though. I have been with the OU previously, as I have a BSc Hons from them. So their system is nothing new to me.
Unfotunately what you do not know is that my age is very much against me, which I think is the main reason why I have trouble finding employment. I have been looking into self employment, but struggling to find the capitol.
from Andrew. ”
Hi Rocky,
When you did your degree did you do Financial Accounting and Management Accounting? If you did then see if your can get exemptions for a higher ICB qualification. I think at the moment everyone is having problems finding work because there are so many people unemployed and there are not enough jobs to go around everyone who are unemployed. you don't need a lot of capital to be self employed you just need to be able to support yourself,
Kind regards
Paula Welsh
Edited at 27 Jan 2013 06:38 PM GMT
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No, Paula the degree was not financial related, but was Earth Science based. It did help in getting an office job, but this was over twelve years ago. I got made redundant almost 4 years ago, and since the construction Industry is still in the doldrums, I have decided to change career and gain new skills, hence thw ICB. Currently I am working full time at a fast food outlet, and studying at the same time. The other thing against me is my age, but I live in hope.
Regards,
Andrew.
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Rockyflemingsaid:
“No, Paula the degree was not financial related, but was Earth Science based. It did help in getting an office job, but this was over twelve years ago. I got made redundant almost 4 years ago, and since the construction Industry is still in the doldrums, I have decided to change career and gain new skills, hence thw ICB. Currently I am working full time at a fast food outlet, and studying at the same time. The other thing against me is my age, but I live in hope.
Regards,
Andrew.”
Hi Rocky,
see if you can do the Professional certificate in accounting and if you can get funding for this from the OU. I would definately recommend the certificate myself.
Your age can go against you as does mine but however if you have a set of good skills an agency can find you at least temorary employment. I have just been working from November until 1st March this year on a temorary assignment. Try the agencies,
Kind regards
Paula Welsh
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Hi Paula,
Thanks for the advice, which agencies do you recommend. However, I feel I need at least a full membership before I go down this road. A lot depends on the cost of the Professional Certificate, besides after this lot of exams, I feel I am going to need a rest from any further academic work.
Regards,
Andrew.
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Rockyflemingsaid:
“Hi Paula,
Thanks for the advice, which agencies do you recommend. However, I feel I need at least a full membership before I go down this road. A lot depends on the cost of the Professional Certificate, besides after this lot of exams, I feel I am going to need a rest from any further academic work.
Regards,
Andrew. ”
Hi Rocky,
Sorry about the delay in responding.
Hays recruitment are good, Office angels, Selection Group, The works and there are many more,
Kind regards
Paula Welsh
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Hi Rocky,
You have commented a couple of times that you don't have the money to go self employed....
It really doesn't take much - you have the AICB and Payroll Dip. All you need is the practice licence and PII - average cost around £200 for the set.
Beyond that - free networking meetings, business cards (vistaprint gives ICB members a discount I believe so they should be cheap for a good quality product) and not a lot more..... you should be able to set up for under £300 all in and have change!
I should know - that was all I had to spend and I still had money to replace my computer chair which had seen better days.
Once you have that practice licence there is a jobs section on the members page - people who are specifically looking for ICB qualified people, most of the positions listed are for full time work.
Might be worth thinking about?
Reason for edit - One day I'll learn how to proof read!
Edited at 16 May 2013 07:37 PM GMT
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Hi
I was interested to read your thread - I too am looking for work within the Bookkeeping/PA sector.
Would welcome any set up advise. 
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Hi Jools,
The only advice I can give you is to you is to trawl through the employment recruitment websites in you area. Reed employment Agency I hav efound quite prolific, but there might be some local ones to your area. I wish you luck and have better luck than I have. I have more or less given up looking for employment, and once I obtain my full membership, I shall try and apply for my practice licence.
Hope all goes well.
Andrew.
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