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hello,
so passed manual level 1 & 2, now approaching sage exam & fingers crossed this will be done by christmas. so what's next? i would very much like to work self employed bookkeeping for small sole traders but currently run my own business full time & until i can reduce my hours won't be practcing just yet, so how long do i have before i need to start paying for a practice licence & insurance i may not imediatly need. & also can anyone clarify what i would call myself as i read today that achieving your AICB does not quailfy you as a bookkeeper!!! & last but not least can i continue to study self assesment if i passed under old 2014/2015 sylibus.
any help would be really great
thank you
Edited at 16 Nov 2014 08:55 PM GMT
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Hi,
It will depend on which sylibus you have taken so far. If you are on the old one you need to pass both your lv3's before end March 2015 and get your MICB on the old system, failing that your status will be reset and you will be moved to the new sylibus - that means that to get to a level where you can apply for a practice licence you will have to take the 4 Lv3 papers plus any retakes/additions/ammendments from Lv2 to get back to AICB.
Once you have done that (and like many, you will probably be racing the old lv3 learning) you will be able to take the add-on papers on payroll, tax, certified legal and anything else they come up with :) If you remain a student it shouldn't affect your ability to convert later to AICB and a practice licence - but I would check that with head office. You may need to proove you CPD, this is coming for all of us.
Eventually I expect all us AICB's on the old system will be told to take the additional exams or stop trading but as they count as our CPD for a year, many will slowly add the new sylibus, principally by self study.
To answer when you are sufficiently qualified - on the old system it was AICB, on the New it is MICB. Hense the race to finish the old pair of lv3's rather than take a minimum of 6 new exams!
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Good Morning Pigeon
If I was you, I would upgrade to AICB as soon as you have passed your Level 2 Computerised (old syllabus). You can apply for a practice licence when you are a AICB. I would then have a think about what you want to offer as a self employed bookkeeper and take it from there.
Regards
Trevor
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Good morning,
Good luck with the L2 Comp exam Pigeon, sure you'll be fine with it.
Theresa, from what you've said it sounds as though our AICB status will be revoked unless we pass the old L3's or complete the modules required under the new syllabus (only BA5 & BA6 required) before April 2015? This is the first time I've seen this mentioned?
As I understood it once qualified to AICB (old syllabus L2's) we were entitled to hold a practice licence and use the term 'Certified Bookkeeper', but if we then wish to progress to MICB we would either be required to complete the old L3, or as above move onto the new syllabus for BA5, BA6, ABA8, & ABA9. HAs something changed?
I will be interested to see what structure is put in place for CPD. I can see that studying for, and passing, further levels is a form of CPD as it is measurable, but find it hard to see how attending a meeting can constitute the same. My prior employment was with the constabulary and MOD, both of which required CPD, but this was acheived by e-portal learning; you were required to log on, read through the briefing/updates, and complete a short knowledge test at the end of the module which required a pass mark to be met before completion was logged. These were often short bi-monthly/quarterly modules, but kept you up to date on changes (as an example for bookkeeping, the impending changes to the handling of VAT on PPD's) and was measurable/recordable.
Once again Pigeaon, good luck with the L2 comp study/exam, you'll probably have it done before December  If you're using Sage have you done the training that comes with the software? I did this prior to starting my ICB training as a taster (new career path for me) and when it came to the L2 study/exam found it very helpful.
Regards, Ade.
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Since, despite having held a practice licence for several years, I have never had any direct comunication regarding the new exam format, how the new levels affect AICB's or anything resembling useful information I will accept that I may be punting in the dark.
I do know that on the old system, the one I trained on, you could get a practice licence at AICB - lv2.
On the new system it is MICB - lv4.
I also know that they have 'promised' not to take anything away from those who have passed complete levels on the old system - BUT - they have told all FICB's that they must complete all the new exams and, I believe, within a fairly tight time frame, I know this because I am friends with one of the people testing all the lv4 exams. I suppose that the unwritten threat is to put the 'F' on hold and degrade them to MICB's until they pass. I would love to be wrong!
So, if the FICB's have to 'confirm' their fitness - trust me, that WILL filter down.
There was something - oh... months ago... which said something along the lines that MICB's would not be affected by the releveling but AICB's would. This sketchy memory is why I believe there is the potential for all practice licence holding AICB's to have a real problem brewing. We might not get 'downgraded' but we also might not be allowed to renew our licences! Since that would effectivly put a slew of people either out of work or in breach of MLR/insurance/licencing I'd say that was quite a big issue.
But as I said above, the ICB have never, to my knowledge, actually contacted their praqctice licence holders to inform them directly of the changes and how it will affect them. All my information is second hand and principally through FICB friends and training providers.
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 746 posts
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Hi Theresa
Like you Im guessing as nothing seems to be official but I did go to a meeting in Coventry on the new exams. As I understand it and hopefully ICB will clarify, all MICB will basically be full members and unaffected, expect level 3 will be level iv. but for AICB we have two choices, either upgrade to MICB before next March or take take the two exams partnership and not for profit and then take the MICB if we wish. If we don't then at least at first the licence will be the same but we wont be able to do final accounts of partnerships or not for profit, so in affect their will be AICB and AICB with the additional. (More money in exam fees and upgrades), whether eventually they will make the other two exams compulsory I don;t know.
As I said this is just my understanding and could be wrong. I didnt go to the summit so don't know what was said their.
Okay you have my view and Theresa's which is slightly different do maybe the ICB will make it clear on who is correct, which, if, either of us. It all seems rather vague for something that affects so many.
Very best wishes
Lainy
Edited at 17 Nov 2014 12:43 PM GMT
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Wow Lainy - you do realise what that means? It's get the MICB on the old system or really risk losing your AICB!
If to keep your full AICB you have to take 2 new exams - that implies at best a two tier AICB - so what do those without the extra exams get called? AfICB's? Affiliate level has never been enough for a practice licence.
I think you may have just proved me right  It's get the exams or potentially kiss goodbye to your licence renewal.
So... two exams for MICB on the old system or two 'updates' to stay where I am PLUS the two new 'minimum requirements' for MICB. 2 or 4? Well that's simple! Excuse me while I go do an assignment!
Oh - by the way - I did go to the summit. Nada, zip, zilch... The new structure wasn't mentioned.
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 746 posts
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Hi Theresa
I agree with you, and Im very very surprised that the new structure was not mentioned at the summit. Is it just me, or is everything just seem to be money making at the moment. I cant really see them not renewing everyones licences as their are so many of us, but it is a way to make us spend on more assisgnements and exsams and time to study etc etc.
Anyway Theresa and everyone else. It will be interesting to see just how it does work and also if we actually do get an ICB answer or if we will remain guessing for a while longer. We are told the change will be for the better for us all, so we will wait and see. It would be great to have an official answer rather than us AICBs thtat it affects having to interpret it all for ourselves.
Very best wishes
Lainy
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Hello everyone,
Well, what can I say about this?
Nowt! I have had no communication about this so assume that nobody else has either.
Ref the other post 'Frustrated with ICB' don't you all think it is time that ICB gave us all some answers?
Ref CPD - how is this going to work? I can't get to any meetings so am I going to be 'struck off'?
I spend hours attending webinars and meetings at local accountants & Co House who kindly let me in on their training seminars which at the end of the year probably amounts to more hours than required by ICB.
Confused.com!!!!
Marilyn
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- Companion
- Accredited Training Provider IS
- 435 posts
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When the new structure was launched I posted on here and it didn't go down too well with some forum users. Would you mind if I posted some info?
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 746 posts
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Hi Brian
Brian we would welcome it, though it should really be the ICB themselves.
Yes we would all like to know exactly where we stand.
Thanks Brian
Kind regards and very best wishes
Lainy
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Please Brian!
(please tell me I'm wrong!)
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Hi All,
Please do not panic!!
I can assure you that no Affiliates, Associates or Members will be forced to take more assessments. Rest assured, we will not be downgrading anyone and we have never considered taking away our members Practice Licences.
I can not stress enough how important it is to contact ICB should you have any questions of this nature as some of these assumptions are unfounded and to be honest, nonsense!
We will be reposting some information about the syllabus change tomorrow. This will include a forum post that was originally posted on 9th April 2014 in which CEO Garry Carter confirmed "Whether you are on the old syllabus or the new syllabus, this will make no difference to your end qualification or your offer of membership." If you are an Associate now, you will be an Associate in 2015. If you are a practicing member now, you will still be a practicing member in 2015.
Member services are a friendly and knowledgable bunch and we love to chat with our members and students. Our number is 0845 060 2345 and our email address is memberservices@bookkeepers.org.uk, please pick up the phone or send us a quick email if you have any concerns.
Have a nice (worry free) evening,
Lily Wilson
Member Services
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Well I for one am delighted to be told I'm totally wrong - thank you Lily
I look forward to tomorrows post on the exact nature of the changes.
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- Companion
- Accredited Training Provider IS
- 435 posts
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Sorry folkes, I got seriously waylaid yesterday, but thatnks to Lily for the clarification. Couldn't have worded it better myself
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thank you all, feel relived i'm not going to have to do extra exams! i'm doing my sage through kaplan so have a full training manual then two supplied mock exams, on a go slow at the moment i like the pen & paper way better. . . .technology is not my friend!!! so just to clarify i will be able to class myself as a bookkeeper at AICB level then? thank you :-)
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Good Evening Pigeon
Yes - an AICB can apply for a Practice licence or even apply for jobs !!
Regards
Trevor
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