Forum

• # 80533
• Wed 07 Mar 2012 12:31 PM

Hi, somehow my job role at work is developing into more of the accounts side of things so have taken it upon myself to do a bookkeeping course with Pitman Training.  I received a distinction in the manual level 2 and I am waiting for results of Sage 50.  Please can someone advise me as to which exams I would need to take if I decided upon a career change to carry out simple Bookkeeping at home as a friend has asked if I could do her books for her.  I have emailed the bookkeeping email twice and still not had a reply after 2 wks but really need to decide which way I am going to go.  Any advice greatly received, thank you.

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• # 80541
• Wed 07 Mar 2012 12:59 PM

Hi there,


I did the Pitman's Accounting Technician Course a few years ago which included Manual and computerised bookkeeping, payroll and Excel.  I passed all with flying colours and then enquired of the ICB about membership, only to be told that they didn't recognise Pitman's qualifications as an exemption.  (Of course things might have changed since then).  So I took the ICB Levels I and II manual and computerised exams and the Level III Payroll exam. 

If you want to carry out just simple bookkeeping at home as a self-employed bookkeeper then you would need to take the Levels I and II manual and computerised exams in order to apply for Associate Membership and obtain a Practice Licence.  Your membership will also cover you under the Anti Money Laundering regulations.  You should be able to take at least the Level I exam without doing any further study and possibly the Level II as well.  Be worth looking at the syllabus to see if this was covered in the Pitman's Level II.

The IAB is another organisation worth looking into, but as I haven't had experience of this I cannot comment on exemptions/qualifications etc.


Hope this helps :-)


Pauline            

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• # 80580
• Wed 07 Mar 2012 06:08 PM

Dear Pauline, thank you for your reply.  It has confirmed my suspicions that Pitman Training are probably not recognised when it comes to ICB exams.
Sarah 

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• # 80593
• Wed 07 Mar 2012 08:07 PM

Hi Sarah,


I think it's something to do with the Assignment format of the exams/final tests as, to be honest, you can use your course material if you are unsure of something.  I was a little annoyed (with Pitman's) as I spent about £2000 doing that course and still had to take the ICB exams, and one of the selling points of it was a possibility of ICB membership.  (Which I suppose was true, but still had to sit their exams). 

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• # 80597
• Wed 07 Mar 2012 09:49 PM

Stardoesaid:

“Hi Sarah,


I think it's something to do with the Assignment format of the exams/final tests as, to be honest, you can use your course material if you are unsure of something.  I was a little annoyed (with Pitman's) as I spent about £2000 doing that course and still had to take the ICB exams, and one of the selling points of it was a possibility of ICB membership.  (Which I suppose was true, but still had to sit their exams). ”

• Val 63
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• # 80619
• Thu 08 Mar 2012 11:58 AM

Val63said:

“Stardoesaid:

“Hi Sarah,


I think it's something to do with the Assignment format of the exams/final tests as, to be honest, you can use your course material if you are unsure of something.  I was a little annoyed (with Pitman's) as I spent about £2000 doing that course and still had to take the ICB exams, and one of the selling points of it was a possibility of ICB membership.  (Which I suppose was true, but still had to sit their exams). ”

---

”

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• # 80651
• Thu 08 Mar 2012 11:48 PM

Hi all

To be fair they may not gain exemptions from the ICB but other professional bodies may offer exemptions with regards to the Pitmans qualification ask your tutor to clarify which bodies offer exemptions.

Or just sit the ICB exams based on your studies.

Kind regards
Stuart      

• Forum Moderator, South East & Greater London Regional Chairman
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• # 80689
• Fri 09 Mar 2012 05:39 PM

Thank you all for your comments and advice.  I think I will wait until I have my results from Sage and look further into Bookkeeping courses after that
Sarah 

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