News

ICB Conference 2009

26th and 27th November

BIS Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Steet, London

Local focus, national accreditation, global recognition

We are pleased to report that the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers inaugural international conference was a resounding success, attended by more than 350 members and students, international delegates, and training providers.

  ICB staff members Jane, Helen, Liz and Chloe man the reception desk at the conference centre

Please visit the conference downloads page for a copy of the conference brochure if you would like to take a look at the range of speakers we had presenting to the delegates on both days.  Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, voiced his support for the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and his welcome to our delegates appears on the cover of the conference brochure.

It is testament to the prominent and valued role of Institute bookkeepers, that the chairman of the Accounting Standards Board attended the conference to talk to the members.  Other highlights of the day were the very informative sessions run by Susan Maclaren of the DWP and Karen Thomson of the IPP. 

You can download a copy of all of the conference powerpoint presentations on the conference downloads page here. 

Ian Mackintosh has also asked that our members submit their opinions on the Future of UK GAAP via the questionnaire on the downloads page.

Ian Mackintosh, Accounting Standards Board

At the conference, IRIS software revealed its new bespoke software package for ICB members.  We are very pleased to have been able to release details of this ground-breaking new package which is still in the development stage whilst its designers work with a focus group of ICB members to further adapt it to your needs.  More information will follow in the newsletter shortly.

Members were also introduced to the brand new Level IV qualification which will be  available later next year.  Response to this new syllabus area, which covers self assessments and tax, has been phenomenal so far, and details of how to apply will follow next year.

Students work through their handouts in the training room

Whilst members enjoyed two carefully curated days of speakers’ sessions, the students benefited from two full days of revision courtesy of the widely acclaimed training team, Leslie and Jacquie. 

Day One of the conference covered Double Entry to Trial Balance, VAT Returns, Bank Reconciliation, computerised accounts and Final Accounts for sole traders.

Day Two focused on the advanced Level III syllabus including adjustments and final accounts for limited companies, before progressing on to payroll, preparation for exams, and the (often daunting) matter of first clients and employers.

After the conference, well known double-act, Leslie and Jacquie, said that despite their many years’ experience running similar training programmes, this was the most  successful and enjoyable so far because of the students who attended. 

These training events are incredibly worthwhile and it was a delight to have so many students leaving with a boost to their confidence and just the right impetus needed to get back on track with their courses.  One student even said that it was the most worthwhile two days of her entire year.

Jacquie Mount and Leslie Ellis
in the conference training room

In addition to the various handouts, all delegates were given a free ICB mousemat
and business bag to take home

On the regional front, it was wonderful to see so many of the members using the opportunity to exchange contact details with others in their local area and we are now all speed ahead to ‘devolve’ power to the regional networks which will organise some more regular regional meetings before we all meet again at the next international conference in 2010.

All regional chairs will attend a meeting in London in January to establish a consistent regional programme.

The extent to which members can benefit from talking to each other  and sharing knowledge, was illustrated perfectly by Friday's popular opening session, hosted by the Members Panel.

Institute members Stuart Morris, Jane James, Joy Spiropoulos and Karen Monkman took to the stage with ICB compliance officer Ray Cross, to discuss the issues that matter to working bookkeepers.  We then opened up the discussion to the floor and had an informal and extremely informative question and answer session between the members.

Members Panel from left to right, Ray Cross,
Jane James, Karen Monkman, Joy Spiropoulos, Stuart Morris

In addition to the two information-packed days of conference, delegates were invited to attend two very special events, the breakfast at the Houses of Parliament and the Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane.

Just under 100 delegates enjoyed freshly baked croissants and freshly brewed coffee at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion on the bank of the Thames with a spectacular view of the London Eye and Big Ben. 

All attendees had their photographs taken by security before going through a bag check and then being released into Westminster Hall, the oldest building on the parliamentary estate. 

The hall, constructed in 1097 is absolutely enormous, measuring 240 feet long - roughly the length of four cricket pitches. 

The hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall

Central Lobby

All delegates then passed by the imposing statues of St Stephen's Hall, through the famous Central Lobby and finally into the sun-filled Terrace Pavillion.

Thursday evening’s black-tie Dinner and Awards Ceremony at The Dorchester was more than just another glamorous setting for networking, it was a time to recognise outstanding achievement in the bookkeeping profession with the first ever Luca Awards.

ICB chief executive, Garry Carter, talks to the two-hundred dinner guests about his pride in the Institute and its global achievements

We were absolutely overwhelmed by the number of award nominations we received in all of the categories in the run-up to the event,  and the encouraging and heart-warming stories that were submitted.

We were honoured to have HRH Prince Michael of Kent with us on the night to present Luca Awards to the following exemplars:

Luca Awards 2009

Bookkeeping Practice of the Year   Davidson & Partners

Course Provider of the Year   Ideal Schools

Student of the Year   Shirley Atterbury

Tutor of the Year    Jo Fredriksen

Employer of the Year   Moore Stephens LLP


Please see the Lucas 2009 page for photographs and more details

Further photographs of the event are available to view online here, and a highlights video is currently in production. 

Meanwhile, the ICB wishes to thank

The Dorchester Hotel,

the Department for Business Innovation and Skills,

The House of Commons,

all our sponsors, course providers and exhibitors

and, most of all,

the members and students who attended the conference and made it so worthwhile.

It was a pleasure to meet such enthusiastic individuals and have the opportunity to celebrate the success of the Institute they have created.