Bookkeeping is a growing profession - it is demanding, exciting, challenging and above all, rewarding. It is about understanding how a business works and then providing accurate figures that enable the business to know exactly how well it is doing. For men and women of all ages and from all backgrounds it provides outstanding career opportunities.

The basic system of double entry bookkeeping was invented more than five hundred years ago by a Cistercian monk called Luca Pacioli. His system endures today and is used throughout the world, making bookkeeping a truly international profession. This website will give an understanding of how to train to become a bookkeeper and how to become a member of ICB. It will also help those who already have a qualification or have been working as a bookkeeper for many years but now want the support of a professional organisation to enhance career prospects.

A CAREER IN BOOKKEEPING
Every business, no matter how large or small, is required by law to 'keep books'. This involves the recording of the financial transactions of a business, whether manually into ledgers or by entering everything onto a computer. So, if you are well organised and methodical, like working through documents and enjoy seeing a set of figures add up properly, bookkeeping could be the career for you.

People of all ages are becoming bookkeepers: Young people fresh from school or college can achieve a professional qualification that opens up a whole new world of business to them or may become the first step to becoming a qualified accountant. More mature people bring years' of experience to their role and are in great demand from businesses who want a safe pair of hands. Many are mothers wanting to find a well-paid career running a bookkeeping business from home whilst still bringing up their family.

YOU AND THE INSTITUTE
ICB was established to provide a series of professional qualifications that reflects the needs of business and the aspirations of people wanting to enter the profession. It exists to represent bookkeepers at all levels and to promote the professionalism of bookkeepers to business, government and the general public.
Becoming a member of ICB is like joining a club. You will receive strong on-going support from a team of qualified professionals. You will have access to free legal and technical advice. You will have the opportunity to meet other bookkeepers and to update your skills through continuing professional development seminars.

ICB has more than 150,000 students and members spread across more than fifty countries, making it the largest bookkeeping institute in the world.