These last couple of weeks of the year are speeding past and dragging at the same time! My daughter was certainly dragging her feet to school this morning, saying all she wants to do is sit on the sofa and snuggle. I told her that's how we all feel and you can't shine brightly all year and not look forward to a well-earned break!
And shine brightly, you have. In 2025, bookkeepers have been more visible, more confident and more impactful than ever - supporting businesses, collaborating across the industry, and embracing their role as trusted professionals at the heart of the economy.
It’s been a year of real progress and momentum for ICB itself too, and as we step into ICB's 30th Anniversary Year in 2026, we’re doubling down on what matters most: being the number one source of skills, status and support for bookkeepers, at every stage of the journey.
Feeding ambition: Level 4 and beyond
One of the most exciting things on the horizon is our work on expanding Level 4, which created quite the buzz when announced it on stage at the Bookkeepers Summit. We working to create a clear, credible progression for bookkeepers who want do more, lead more confidently, manage change and expand the value they bring to employers, clients, and their own careers.
To support this next chapter, I’m delighted to share that we have a new Head of Learning & Development starting in January. They’ll be taking the baton from the wonderful Peter Stewart, who now heads into a well-earned retirement. We wish him every happiness and are so grateful to him for the impact he’s had on our learning offering.
A kick-start to the new year
We’re hitting the ground running in January:
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Our brand-new
Practice Kickstarter Course will help bookkeepers gain the knowledge and confidence to launch (or re-launch) their own business. And a few lucky members will be able to snap up an exclusive seat on a 'Support Board' for mentoring with Helen Bower C.FICB. Helen, who created the Kickstarter Course with ICB, is the much-loved guiding force behind the Bookkeepers Summit 'Buddy Scheme'. Helen sits on the ICB Advisory Council and is now semi-retired after selling her successful bookkeeping practice.
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We’ll also be focusing on growing the profession, kicking off the year by encouraging others to discover bookkeeping through our
Discovery Day on 21 Jan. Bookkeeping is a career that genuinely works for people from all walks of life, offering flexibility and stability. Whether someone wants the security of employment, the independence of running their own practice, or the freedom to shape work around life, bookkeeping offers real, accessible opportunities. And quite simply, the future needs more great bookkeepers. If you know someone who might be interested, send them a link to book this free online day.
More CPD, more choice
You asked for more CPD, and we’ve listened. Dates are already in the diary for our most popular webinars:
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MLR Mondays (2nd Monday each month)
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Wages Wednesdays (1st Wednesday each month)
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Quartlerly Tax Update (10 March, 9 June, 8 Sept, 8 Dec)
And that’s just the start. There’s more student support coming, alongside new member masterclasses designed to go deeper and support real-world work.
The MTD opportunity
Making Tax Digital continues to represent a huge opportunity - one where bookkeepers are perfectly placed to support small businesses and work more closely with accountants. Yes, regular digital bookkeeping is becoming a legal requirement for sole traders and landlords from April, but we know the real change comes from what that leads to - better insight, stronger relationships and higher-value services.
Building our community
Finally, we’re investing even more into what makes ICB special: our community. Off the back of our busiest ever Bookkeepers Summit, expect more events, more chances to connect, and more opportunities to build meaningful relationships with fellow bookkeepers who just get it.
A personal note
On a more personal note, my family is ending the year having moved home. The dog quickly found all the best places to nap, my kids have their own rooms for the first time and, while we’ve managed to decorate the Christmas tree, the dominating festive centrepiece is the mountain of boxes sitting beside it! A different kind of peak - but one full of promise nonetheless.
I’d like to wish you all a very happy holiday season. Thank you for being part of ICB and for the professionalism you bring to the world of bookkeeping.
I’m looking forward to sharing a bright, ambitious and purposeful start to 2026 with you.
