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• # 100640
• Wed 16 Jul 2014 04:06 PM

The website has a section regarding CPD http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Membership/Development/CPD and mentions that attendance at ICB events / meeting will count towards points. I presume that means the regional / county meetings.

My question is how many points to we get for attending a meeting, how many points do we need to get in a year (calendar, practice licence period?), what are the points tariffs for other forms of training both structured and unstructured. How do we record these points so the ICB can check that we have done our required amount of CPD.

I am studying for my Payroll Diploma so can I presume that will provide a hefty chunk of my CPD requirement?

The website says we need to do CPD, which is fine and I believe should be mandatory but it is rather left hanging as to how it is managed. 

Any thoughts or information?

Roy

• Royston Haines MICB CB.Dip
  Arno Bookkeeping Services
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• # 100641
• Wed 16 Jul 2014 04:45 PM

Hi Roy, A timely question!

ICB recommends that members undertake a minimum of 30 hours per year of which 15 hours should be structured.

You will see that the web page list examples of structured and unstructured learning. So yes you are correct in that attending a local branch meeting in your region counts towards structured CPD providing the meeting content is learning and not just networking. Going forward the number of hours / points will be allocated per event as and when advertised.

Yes your study does count towards your CPD.

it is not mandatory at this time, but we are currently reviewing this and it will however remain a strong recommendation and one element that contributes to the status of a 'Certified' bookkeeper. 

In terms of logging your CPD, then other than branch meeting attendance it is currently for you to record, however I am hopeful that by September we will be launching an online CPD portal that will be part of your online log in. This will be a little more than a log and link in your CPD goal planning.

The current thinking around the CPD time allocation is that a structured CPD activity is one hour for one hour attended, whereas the unstructured CPD is 50%, so one hour allocation for a two hour unstructured activity.

We will be refreshing the page and announcing guidelines at the same time as the online portal is made available to members.

In the meantime, continue your CPD and maintain your skill and interest in the profession with a personal record of your activity.

regards

mike

• Mike Foster MICB CB.Dip
  Head of Member Development
  The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers 

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• # 100750
• Tue 29 Jul 2014 05:25 PM

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply to this, but have taken on a new client and haven't been able to get back to this. 

I received a letter about CPD and needing to attend meetings.  However, I took on bookkeeping because that meant I would be able to work from home.  I have two kids and no easy access to a car.  My clients at the moment come to me.  I only have one regular client (and two self assessment clients), but with two kids in primary school, this is enough for me at the moment. 

With regards to CPD, I spent about three to four years training up and now I am trying to get something back in income and cannot afford more courses.  Our local branch meeting (Warwickshire) is usually on an evening and I don't have easy access to a baby sitter or a car.  However I have noticed in nearyby Coventry they have started having them in a morning.  I hope this will continue and will try to get to these. 

I guess what I am trying to say is that CPD is not always easy.  Structured courses are expensive and meetings are not always easy to get to.  The reason some people take up bookkeeping is that they can do it from home.  Getting out can be difficult.  Will the ICB recognise these difficulties and help those with travel difficulties get the CPD they need?  Is there any way we could have webinars like the HMRC or other on-line mini-refreshers?  That may be more helpful for those who find getting out difficult. 

Thanks,

Emily Sitch

Whittleford Bookkeeping Services

Nuneaton

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