Forum

• # 103186
• Fri 05 Dec 2014 06:19 PM

Hello all, I took the l3 manual exam today and failed, now im thinking about switching to the new syllabus for the exams only.  Has anybody done the same and if so would you recommend it to others?

Thanks in advance

• Nannyplum

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• # 103188
• Sat 06 Dec 2014 09:18 AM

Hi Nannyplum

Sorry to hear that you failed at 3 manual, did you fail by much? could you resit it soon? I know its a terrible blow when we dont pass things first go - but there lots of people who have not passed level 3 manual first time but they have had another go and got there!

Level 3 covers alot more than level 2 and over a wider range of topics -covering some bits that are more for accountants than bookkeepers!

So, have some choclate or wine take a deep breath and go for it!  I think you still have time to do this before the dreaded deadline at the end of March.

Best of Luck

Kazzy G

• Karen
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• # 103189
• Sat 06 Dec 2014 09:18 AM

Hi Nannyplum

Sorry to hear that you failed at 3 manual, did you fail by much? could you resit it soon? I know its a terrible blow when we dont pass things first go - but there lots of people who have not passed level 3 manual first time but they have had another go and got there!

Level 3 covers alot more than level 2 and over a wider range of topics -covering some bits that are more for accountants than bookkeepers!

So, have some choclate or wine take a deep breath and go for it!  I think you still have time to do this before the dreaded deadline at the end of March.

Best of Luck

Kazzy G

• Karen
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• # 103196
• Sat 06 Dec 2014 05:00 PM

Good Evening Nannyplum

I am also thinking of a switch - If you just want to do the accounts for partnerships and not for profit orgs - you can just take BA5 & BA6 (home based exams). However you still stay a AICB - so depends what you want to achieve ?

Regards

Trevor

PS - do many ICB bookkeepers deal with draft final accounts for limited companies and when does the accountant kick in ?

• Failure is only the opportunity to Begin again, only this time more Wisely. Henry Ford

  Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier

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• # 103199
• Sat 06 Dec 2014 06:10 PM

Thanks for your replies. 

Its fair to say that i failed the exam spectacularly!! 

There's little doubt in my mind now that i will have to switch to the new exams to get past this stage.

At least the subject is split into smaller sized chunks for the exams. (BA5 & BA6)

The BA7 exam is a mixture of all the topics but it sounds more managable than the old L3 Manual. (Imagine doing 4 assignments back to back without notes, this is what the exam felt like to me!)

I would attempt all three to see if i can get to full membership, after all i have invested in the course provider to get me to that level and i've completed the assignments.

I'll have a good think over christmas but it seems like a no brainer!

Merry Christmas All!!

• Nannyplum

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• # 103203
• Sun 07 Dec 2014 01:15 PM

Trevor said:

“

Good Evening Nannyplum

I am also thinking of a switch - If you just want to do the accounts for partnerships and not for profit orgs - you can just take BA5 & BA6 (home based exams). However you still stay a AICB - so depends what you want to achieve ?

Regards

Trevor

PS - do many ICB bookkeepers deal with draft final accounts for limited companies and when does the accountant kick in ?

”

 Hi Trevor

I think one of the main issues with just staying as a AICB is that you can not get a practice licence under the new system. You need to be a full member of ICB to qualify.

I am planning to be concentrating on not for profits as I am opening up a fundraising and finance service for charities and community groups. But to be able to do their bookkeeping I will need to be a full member to be covered by the money laundering supervision of the practice licence.

I guess if you want to be employed by a not for profit then AICB will suffice but I don't see that as a long term option for self-employment or freelance work.

Kevin

• Fundraisers Wales - fundraising, financial and communication support to charities and not-for-profits

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• # 103205
• Sun 07 Dec 2014 03:08 PM

Good Afternoon Kevin

I think you are getting confused between an Affiliate and an Associate ! An Associate, Payroll Agent or higher can apply for a practice licence. The only difference is what you can do - hence the post. New AICB can do anything except Ltd companies or Ltd Partnerships.

Regards

Trevor

• Failure is only the opportunity to Begin again, only this time more Wisely. Henry Ford

  Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier

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• # 103207
• Sun 07 Dec 2014 03:18 PM

Hi Trvor,

Thanks for clearing that up.

New boy looking an idiot again :))

Kevin

• Fundraisers Wales - fundraising, financial and communication support to charities and not-for-profits

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