Join ICB using your AAT, ACCA, CIMA, City & Guilds, IAB, or ICAEW qualifications, accounting apprenticeship, or work experience
You may be able to join ICB as a member if you have completed an Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship (Level 3), or have achieved recent relevant qualifications from a recognised body (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, City & Guilds, IAB, ICAEW) or if you have recent relevant work experience. This means you wouldn't need to take ICB bookkeeping exams to become a member. You can find out what we recognise as 'recent' and 'relevant' below.
If you are midway through your bookkeeping exams with another body and wish to transfer to ICB, we may be able to fast track you. Please call us on 0203 405 4000 so we can find the best solution for you.
Your pathway to ICB membership by exemption
Applying with previous qualifications
You can apply for exemptions from ICB if you have recent relevant qualifications. This means your qualifications should have been completed within the last five years and appear on our ICB Qualification Conversion Chart below. If you have recent relevant work experience as well, please tell us about that as it could help your application and affect whether or not you are asked to complete an MEP.
If you are midway through your exams with another body and wish to transfer to ICB exams, we may be able to fast track you. Please call us on 0203 405 4000 so we can find the best solution for you. ICB qualifications are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
The qualifications we accept correspond to the ICB syllabus and we may insist on a minimum grade or percentage. We do not offer exemptions based on exemptions or conversions granted by other bodies, or offer exemptions from ICB exams that you have previously attempted and failed.
Non-UK qualifications: Qualifications awarded in countries outside the UK will be taken into consideration if they correspond to our syllabus. Please contact ICB before submitting your application.
As part of your application you will be asked to provide copies (not originals) of qualification transcripts, results sheets and, for AAT, your statement of achievement from your online account.
The chart below shows the accountancy qualifications considered relevant for ICB membership purposes. Please be aware that this chart should be used as a guide only, and is subject to change. Applications for membership by exemption based on existing qualifications and apprenticeships are assessed individually on a case by case basis taking into consideration the full extent of your relevant learning and work experience. You will usually be required to sit at least one online competency assessment; these are available 24/7, at no extra cost.
If your qualification is not listed in the table below, please take a look at our current qualifications and download the syllabuses for a comparison. If you think we should consider your qualifications, please get in touch with us on 0203 405 4000.
We do not offer exemptions from our Level 4 qualifications, or to the membership grade of Fellow (FICB). ICB Level 4 qualifications are available to complete individually, 24/7, 365 days of the year and cover Self Assessment Tax, Corporation Tax, Financial Statements and Business Insight. Members (MICB) of 2 years' good standing with at least three Level 4 qualifications can apply to become Fellows.
| Awarding Body |
Qualifications completed within 5 years of application
additional online ICB Membership Entrance Paper/s (MEP) required in most cases
|
Membership Grade |
| Associate Member |
Member |
| ICB |
Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping |
x |
|
|
Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
with
Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts
|
|
x |
| AAT - Statement of Achievement required |
Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping or Accounting [Application Process] |
x |
|
|
Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping or Accounting with
Level 3 Advanced in Certificate Bookkeeping or Diploma in Accounting
Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting [Application Process]
|
|
Fast Track Route available
|
ACCA
Transcript required |
FA1 [Application Process] |
x |
|
| F3/FFA/FA [Application Process] |
|
x |
CIMA
Transcript required |
Certificate in Business Accounting paper BA3 [Application Process] |
x |
|
| Certificate in Business Accounting paper BA3 and Operational Level Paper F1 [Application Process] |
|
x |
City & Guilds
Transcript or Certificate required |
Level 2 Award in Bookkeeping and Accounts [Application Process] |
x |
|
| Level 2 Award in Bookkeeping and Accounts with Level 3 Award in Bookkeeping and Accounts [Application Process] |
|
x |
IAB
Certificate required |
Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping [Application Process] |
x |
|
| Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounting [Application Process] |
|
x |
| ICAEW |
Certificate in Finance Accounting and Business - Accounting Module [Application Process] |
|
x |
How long will my application take?
Applying for membership by exemption can take between one and three months from the day of your onboarding call with our exemptions team. ICB is an AML Supervisor; please let us know immediately if you are already running a bookkeeping business and need AML supervision or are already covered. AML supervision is legally required of external bookkeepers and accountants, therefore if you have been trading without it, you will be charged a late registration penalty.
What does it cost?
Application Fee
There is a one-off application fee payable upon application. This fee covers your application only and will not be refunded in the event you withdraw your application, or if your qualifications are out of date, or your reference does not match our requirements, or you fail the Membership Entrance Paper (MEP).
If your application meets our criteria and you pass any required MEP, your application will be passed through to the final stage of processing; assessment by the Admissions Panel. In the unlikely event that the Admissions Panel rejects your application, 50% of your application fee will be refunded.
Please see the application process*
A 25% discount on the exemption application fee is available to:
- Applicants who previously held a grade of membership with ICB.
- Current staff of an ICB Practice Licence holders (applicant must be listed on the PL staff list).
- Applicants re-applying for membership by exemption. Where an applicant has previously been refunded, no discount will be given.
Membership Annual Subscription Fee
If your application is successful you will be offered membership at the grade of Associate or Member dependent upon the ICB qualifications you are exempt from. If accepted, the annual membership fee for the appropriate grade will be payable in addition to any licence fees for your bookkeeping business.
For details of the current year's fees please refer to Table 1: Annual Subscription fees and Table 3: Membership by Exemption fees on the following page:
> Fees & Subscriptions
Late Registration Penalty
If you have been trading without Anti-Money Laundering Supervision AML), you will be charged for any missing years at the current AML fee in place at the time of your application. This is in line with all AML supervisors.
Applying with Work Experience
You can apply for exemptions from ICB if you have recent relevant professional work experience. This means you've been doing bookkeeping/accounting work on a professional basis, ie. for an employer or for clients, for at least two consecutive years during the last five years (so, for example, a maternity leave break shouldn't necessarily affect your eligibility for exemptions).
Please tell us if you have recent relevant qualifications as well, as it could help your application and affect whether or not you are asked to complete an MEP.
So that we may verify your work experience, you'll need to nominate one person whom we can contact for a reference. Your nominated referee needs to have worked with you in a professional capacity and cannot be a relative, or be in a personal relationship with you. Your application should state their qualifications and relationship to you. ICB will send a detailed specification to the referee asking for confirmation on the areas of the syllabus in which they have working knowledge of your competence.
Referees are required to sign the specification and confirm their own qualifications which will be verified with the relevant professional body before the reference is processed.
Please note the awarding bodies recognised by ICB are:
The awarding bodies recognised and accepted by ICB are: ICB, AAT, ACCA, CIMA, City & Guilds, IAB and ICAEW
Non-UK work experience: Experience gained in countries outside the UK will be taken into consideration. Please contact ICB before submitting your application.
Associate Membership (AICB)
Exemptions available:
- Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping.
Requirements:
- 2 years consecutive relevant experience within the last 5 years.
- Referee meeting criteria:
- An Accountant or Certified Bookkeeper in current valid membership of either AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CAI, IAB, ICAEW, ICAS, ICB (MICB or above) and IFA. If a member of a non-UK body the body must be a current member of IFAC.
- The referee must have worked as a senior colleague to you and have overseen your work.
- The referee cannot be a relative or be in a personal relationship with you.
- At least one of your referees must have overseen your work for at least two consecutive years during the five years before application.
Application process:
- Provide supporting documents.
- Photo ID (driving licence or passport)
- CV or cover letter (detailing study and/or work experience to date).
- Referee contact details (name, address, telephone, email)
- ICB liaises with referee to receive completed reference.
-Pass online Level 2 Member Entrance Exam. [Click here for more information regarding the Level 2 Membership Entrance Exam]
Full Membership (MICB/MICB PM.Dip)
Exemptions available:
- Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping.
- Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping & Accounting.
- Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management.
Requirements:
- 2 years consecutive relevant experience within the last 5 years.
- Referee meeting criteria.
- An Accountant or Certified Bookkeeper in current valid membership of either AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CAI, IAB, ICAEW, ICAS, ICB (MICB or above) and IFA. If a member of a non-UK body the body must be a current member of IFAC.
- The referee must have worked as a senior colleague to you and have overseen your work.
- The referee cannot be a relative or be in a personal relationship with you. o At least one of your referees must have overseen your work for at least two consecutive years during the five years before application.
Application process:
- Provide supporting documents.
- Photo ID (driving licence or passport)
- CV or cover letter (detailing study and/or work experience to date).
- Referee contact details (name, address, telephone, email)
- ICB liaises with referee to receive completed reference.
An exemption to the ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management can be included in your application. Your referee will have the opportunity to confirm your competency in relation to payroll services at this stage.
- Pass online Level 2&3 Member Entrance Exam. [Click here for more information regarding the Level 2 and 3 Membership Entrance Exam]
Making your application
1. Submit an Online Application
You can submit an application for membership by exemption at any time throughout the year.
When you are ready, please complete the online form* and pay the application fee with a credit or debit card. Once you have completed the online application form you will have to set up an account and be given an ICB Number that you can use as a reference when contacting us.
*If you live outside of the UK or are eligible for a discounted application fee, please call us on 020 3405 4000 and speak with a member of our exemptions to confirm your eligibility and to process your payment and application.
Submit an Online Application now
2. Submit the Supporting Evidence
Your application will be accepted for processing once all supporting evidence has been received. You can upload digital copies of your documents and enter referee details upon making your online application via your online account or by email. This can be done at the time of application or once your application payment has been processed.
Required Items:
- Photo ID (ID Requirements)
- CV or covering letter detailing study and/or work experience to date
- Proof of relevant qualifications and/or referee contact details (Telephone and Email Address)
3. Complete the Membership Entrance Paper (MEP), if applicable
You may be asked to complete a Level 2 and/or Level 3 Membership Entrance Paper (MEP). This is an online skills appraisal covering elements of the corresponding ICB bookkeeping syllabus at Level 2 and 3. The MEP should take a competent bookkeeper no more than three hours to complete. There is no additional exam fee for this - it is included in your initial application fee.
Waiting for a decision
Your application will be passed to the Admissions Panel for a decision once all necessary documentation has been gathered, including your Membership Entrance Paper (MEP) results and responses to reference requests if applicable.
When an application will not be accepted
An application for membership based on qualifications from other bodies or based on experience does not guarantee an offer of membership. ICB cannot offer exemptions from any ICB assessment that you have previously attempted and failed, even if you have subsequently achieved an equivalent qualification from another awarding body.
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