ICB LUCA Awards 2023

The LUCA for Student of the Year will be awarded to the person who, during the year immediately prior to the awards ceremony, has achieved success in one or more ICB examinations. Whilst most students expect to achieve examination success, the Student of the Year will be the person who, in the judgement of ICB, has shown outstanding achievement perhaps whilst studying in or overcoming difficult circumstances.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Student of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by an ICB Accredited Training Provider (ATP), or by a student themselves, or by another person associated with the student who believes that they are worthy of the title ‘Student of the Year’

2. ATPs may nominate more than one student

3. The student must have been registered with ICB as a student for not less than 90 days during the year immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony. Previous non–consecutive periods of ICB student registration will not be taken into account.

4. The student must hold current valid ICB student registration or membership

5. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the nominator believes the student worthy of the title ‘Student of the Year’.

6. The nomination must include the following basic information:

• The name of the student

• Name of the nominator

• Name of ATP (if applicable)

7. Additional documentation, such as letters of support from any person or persons who are willing to attest to the student’s efforts and/or to the circumstances that have affected the student are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded later prior to the deadline. 

The LUCA Award for Tutor of the Year will be awarded to the person who, in the opinion of ICB, most closely meets the ideals and standards expected of an ICB accredited tutor. Whilst it is expected that all tutors carry out their role diligently and in an open and friendly manner, it is anticipated that the Tutor of the Year will have proved their dedication and willingness to take the role, above and beyond the normal.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Tutor of the Year LUCA Award must be submitted by an ICB Accredited Training Provider (ATP)

2. ATPs may nominate more than one tutor

3. The Tutor must have been in continuous employment with the nominating ATP for a minimum period of one year prior to the LUCA Awards ceremony. Previous employment with another ATP will not be taken into account.

4. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the ATP believes the tutor worthy of the title ‘Tutor of the Year’.

5. The nomination must include the following basic information:

• The name of the tutor

• Name of the ATP

• Name of the person submitting the nomination on behalf of the ATP

• Employment status of the tutor (full time, part time, self-employed, etc.)

• How long the tutor has been employed by the ATP

• Has the ATP at any stage during the twelve months immediately prior to the LUCA Awards ceremony taken any disciplinary action against the tutor

• Has the ATP received any complaint from a student against the tutor during the twelve months immediately prior to the LUCA Awards ceremony whether or not this resulted in any disciplinary action being taken

• Approximately how many students does the tutor service

6. Supporting documentation, such as letters of praise from students, are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded at any point prior to the deadline.

The LUCA for New Practice of the Year will be awarded to the practice that, in the opinion of ICB, can demonstrate that it upholds the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that it deserves to be awarded the title ‘New Practice of the Year’. Whilst the specific criteria for what constitutes a New Practice of the Year is that it should have been in operation for no longer than 18 months. Other criteria may apply, such as: the nominated practices will have achieved significant success or established a solid reputation with clients or external partners. This could be, by way of example, a new practice that has used effective marketing to promote itself and ICB; it might also be a practice that is able to demonstrate that it has contributed to an ICB branch or region, or has undertaken activities in the wider community.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the New Practice of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the practice itself or by another person associated with the Practice who believes that the practice is worthy of the title ‘New Practice of the Year’

2. The practice must have held an ICB Practice Licence for no more than 18 months immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony.

3. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the Practice deserves to be awarded the LUCA for New Practice of the Year.

4. The nomination must include the following basic information:

• The name of the Practice

• Name of the nominator

• Name of the owner/principal of the practice

• Names of people working in the practice and their job roles/titles

5. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from clients, accountants, etc, are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded later prior to the deadline date.

The LUCA for Small Practice of the Year will be awarded to the practice that, in the opinion of ICB, can demonstrate that it upholds the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that it deserves to be awarded the title ‘Small Practice of the Year’. A Small Practice should be comprised of four or fewer people. It is expected that nominated practices will have achieved significant success. This could be, by way of example, a practice that has expanded in terms of number of clients, turnover or number of employees;  a practice that has used effective marketing to promote itself and ICB; or perhaps a practice that has achieved a high level of praise from clients or external partners; it might also be a practice that is able to demonstrate that it has contributed to an ICB branch or region, or has undertaken activities which have assisted a charity or the wider community.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Small Practice of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the Practice itself or by another person associated with the Practice who believes that the Practice is worthy of the title ‘Small Practice of the Year’

2. The Practice must have held an ICB Practice Licence for not less than 18 months immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony

3. The Practice must consist of four or fewer people. The four or fewer must include the owner/principal of the practice.  These need not necessarily all be undertaking bookkeeping/accounting roles. For instance the practice may have a receptionist or a marketing executive. The four or fewer people may be employees or if freelancers they must have been engaged by the Practice on a regular basis, ie. for at least the last twelve months and on at least six occasions

4. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the Practice deserves to be awarded the LUCA for Small Practice of the Year

5. The nomination must include the following basic information:

1. The name of the Practice

2. Name of the nominator

3. Name of the owner/principal of the practice

4. Names of people working in the practice and their job roles/titles

6. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from clients, accountants, etc. are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded later up until the deadline. 

The LUCA for Large Practice of the Year will be awarded to the Practice that, in the opinion of ICB, can demonstrate that it upholds the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that it deserves to be awarded the title ‘Large Practice of the Year’. Whilst the specific criteria for what constitutes a Large Practice of the Year is that it is comprised of five or more people and has not fallen below five for a period of not less than twelve months immediately prior to the award ceremony, any other criteria may apply, such as: it is expected that nominated practices will have achieved significant success.  This could be, by having established a solid reputation; serviced clients for a number of years; expanded in terms of turnover; staffing or client numbers; or a practice that has used effective marketing to promote itself and ICB; or perhaps a practice that has achieved a high level of praise from clients or external partners; it might also be a practice that is able to demonstrate that it has contributed to an ICB branch or region; or has undertaken activities which have assisted a charity or the wider community.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Large Practice of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the Practice itself or by another person associated with the Practice who believes that the Practice is worthy of the title ‘Large Practice of the Year’

2. The Practice must have held an ICB Practice Licence for not less than 18 months immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony.

3. The Practice must consist of five or more people. The five or more must include the owner/principal of the practice.  These need not necessarily all be undertaking bookkeeping/accounting roles. For instance the practice may have a receptionist or a marketing executive. The five or more people may be employees or if freelancers they must have been engaged by the Practice on a regular basis. Regular meaning for at least the last twelve months and on at least 6 occasions during the last twelve months.

4. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the Practice deserves to be awarded the LUCA for Large Practice of the Year.

5. The nomination must include the following basic information:

• The name of the Practice

• Name of the nominator

• Name of the owner/principal of the practice

• Names of people working in the practice and their job roles/titles

6. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from clients, accountants etc., are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded later prior to the deadline date.

The LUCA for Employer of the Year will be awarded to the employer that, in the opinion of ICB, can demonstrate that it upholds the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that it deserves to be awarded the title ‘Employer of the Year’. The employer must demonstrate that they understand the important role that a bookkeeper has made to their business and that they have successfully integrated bookkeeping into their business ethos. They must be able to show that they have used their bookkeeper or bookkeepers to improve the financial management of their business and that this has yielded tangible results.

It must in addition be able to demonstrate that it is an excellent employer that upholds good employer/employee relations and maintains an open and inclusive policy.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Employer of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the Employer itself, an employee or anyone associated with the company.

2. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the Employer deserves to be awarded the LUCA for Employer of the Year.

3. The nomination must include the following basic information:

1. The name of the Employer

2. Name of the nominator

3. Name(s) of ICB students or members employed by the employer

4. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from employees, clients, accountants, etc. are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded later prior to the deadline date.

The LUCA for Employed Bookkeeper/Team of the Year will be awarded to the student, member or team who, in the opinion of ICB, can demonstrate that they uphold the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that they deserve to be awarded the title ‘Employed Bookkeeper' or 'Team of the Year’. Whilst there are no specific criteria for what constitutes an Employed Bookkeeper or Team of the Year, it is expected that the nominee/s will have achieved significant success and will have made an outstanding contribution to or for their employer. It might also be that they are able to demonstrate a contribution to an ICB branch or region, or that they have undertaken activities which have assisted a charity or the local community.

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Employed Bookkeeper/Team of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the bookkeeper themselves or their employer or by another person associated with either the company or the employee.

2. The nominee must have been an ICB student, member or team for not less than twelve months immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony.

3. The nominee must have been in continuous employment with the employer for a period of not less than twelve months immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony.

4. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the bookkeeper deserves to be awarded the LUCA for Employed Bookkeeper/Team of the Year.

5. The nomination must include the following basic information:

• The name of the bookkeeper(s) being nominated

• Name of the employer

• Name of the person submitting the nomination on behalf of the employer (if applicable) 

• Period of employment

• Position(s) held

6. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from fellow employees, clients, accountants etc., are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded at any point prior to the deadline date.

The LUCA for ICB Branch of the Year will be awarded to the ICB Branch that, in the opinion of ICB, has provided a hub that has welcomed and supported local ICB students and members. The ICB Branch must demonstrate that it upholds the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that it deserves to be awarded the title ‘ICB Branch of the Year’. The branch must demonstrate that it has raised the profile of ICB amongst local members, that it has provided education and guidance and brought members together, giving them the opportunity to network and develop as bookkeepers. 

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Branch of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the ICB Branch Chair, Vice-Chair, or by another person associated with the branch who believes that the branch is worthy of the title ‘ICB Branch of the Year’. Usually the branch will work together to submit a joint nomination.

2. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the branch deserves to be awarded the LUCA for ICB Branch of the Year.

3. The nomination must include the following basic information:

1. The name of the branch

2. Name of the nominator

3. Name of the Branch Chair 

4. Name(s) of the Vice-Chair or any committee members (if applicable)

5. Number of meetings held or due to be held in the last year

4. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from branch attendees, speakers, clients, etc. are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded at any point prior to the deadline.

The LUCA for ICB Social Media Influencer of the Year will be awarded to the ICB member that, in the opinion of ICB, has used a social media platform in an innovative and creative manner to raise their profile and that of ICB and the profession as a whole. The ICB member must demonstrate that they uphold the standards and ideals of ICB and can show that they deserve to be awarded the title ‘ICB Social Media Influencer of the Year’. The member must demonstrate digital alchemy: engaging, memorable content and outreach to potential clients, followers and other businesses. 

Criteria

1. Nominations for the Social Media Influencer of the Year LUCA Award may be submitted by the ICB bookkeeper themselves or their employer, a fellow member or by another person associated with bookkeeper.

2. The nominee must have been an ICB student or member for not less than twelve months immediately preceding the LUCA Awards ceremony.

3. Nominations should be made via our nominations platform and detail why the member deserves to be awarded the LUCA for ICB Social Media Influencer of the Year.

4. The nomination must include the following basic information:

1. The name of the member

2. Name of the nominator

3. Links to the nominated social media platforms

5. Additional documentation, such as letters from any person or persons willing to support the nomination, for example from followers, clients, etc. are encouraged. These can be attached to the original nomination or uploaded at any point prior to the deadline.