Are you feeling it? I'm desperate to hang onto the last working days of December, but I can feel myself slipping deliciously into full-on holiday-mode all the same. 2024 has been such lively one, I can hardly let go.
While the ICB offices are closed for two weeks throughout the Christmas holidays, we will be working behind the scenes on everything from the website and database project, to our Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT) knowledge hub. We want to ensure that we hit the ground running in the New Year so that we can support your most ambitious professional resolutions.
2025 will see the much anticipated roll-out of our new technology and online presence, just in time for the moment when 780,000 taxpayers across the country will see HMRC letters land on their doormats from April onwards, telling them they're likely to be included in MTD IT the following year.
Remember - despite what it's called, MTD isn't really a change to tax, it's actually the government mandating digital bookkeeping. Really it should be called Making Bookkeeping Mandatory.
We'll be making sure you have everything you need to prepare for the changes and opportunities MTD IT will bring, no matter how you choose to approach it:
- Business as usual because you're already providing at least quarterly bookkeeping for sole trader and landlord businesses using MTD-compatible software
- Supporting existing spreadsheet/shoebox clients to positively transition to MTD-compatible software
- Getting out there to attract new clients who aren't currently experiencing the joy of regular digital bookkeeping (460k of the 780,000 affected in April 2026 may be particularly interested to hear from you because they're under the VAT threshold and not currently in the habit of quarterly reporting)
- Approaching firms of accountants to join their new/growing bookkeeping division as an employee, or to offer your services as a subcontractor
- Studying and gaining certification in ICB's Level 4 Certificate in Self Assessment Tax so you can offer a one-stop shop to new or existing sole trader and landlord clients
- Reaching out through the ICB community to match yourself with another bookkeeper whose bookkeeping or tax services you can complement
Just this week ICB member, Sandra Lawson, confirmed what we're all feeling when she posted in the Ideal Schools Students in Practice group on Facebook. When Sandra had to disappoint a prospective client because she was 'too busy' the client said she was the sixth ICB bookkeeper who had told them the same thing!
The UK needs more professional bookkeepers.
If you're an ICB student or trainee bookkeeper get in touch with us for support and to find out more about our online
Study Hubs, Question Bank books and student events.
If you're an ICB practice looking to build capacity, please post your job vacancies on our
Job Pages so that you can connect with the next generation of bookkeeping talent.
Not only is ICB committed to future-proofing your skills as a bookkeeper, we're also working hard to continue to raise your profile and ensure that employers and clients recognise your qualifications and understand your value. If you would like to get more involved in this mission, please consider applying to join the ICB Advisory Council, a group of passionate and opinionated members who volunteer to represent, and give back to, our community. Find out more
here.
As professionals, and as people, we know we are stronger together and this is particularly self-evident for the bookkeeping community. Nothing makes the dream work like team work and I'd like to express my gratitude for the incredible team we've built here at ICB HQ.
At ICB, we’re proud to be a small business ourselves, just like 99% of UK businesses and almost all of our practices. We understand the unique challenges and pleasures of achieving big things with a small, dedicated team. Whether it’s navigating growth, embracing innovation, or staying true to the mission, we’re right there with you, turning ambition into action every day.
From the whole ICB Team, I'd like to wish you and your nearest and dearest a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
