Lonely lockdowns and some radical changes to exams have contributed to a surge in demand for ICB qualifications; is now the right time to get qualified as an ICB Bookkeeper and start a bookkeeping business?
In this section:
M8 exams from home
Apprenticeships
Time-barring extension
Every ICB exam is now available to complete at home
ICB has spent the last 24 years offering students from all backgrounds a flexible and cost-effective route into the accountancy profession. As a pioneer of online computer-based testing, we were committed to ensuring that our students wouldn't be inconvenienced by the COVID-related closure of our global test centres in March.
Working around the clock, our exams department partnered with a leading tech company to facilitate 'remote-proctored' exams for the all-important M8 exams. Usually taken at an exam centre, the M8 is the final synoptic exam before a student can join the profession as a Certified Bookkeeper and full Member (MICB) of ICB.
To maintain the validity of this crucial qualifying exam (with its unforgiving pass mark of 70% compared to the more common 50-55% amongst accounting bodies) ICB's rapidly-deployed 'remote proctoring' allows ICB to have 'eyes and ears' on the ground wherever in the world our student is taking the exam. Through a secure combination of mobile app, webcam and screen-recording, we can guarantee that our students are able to complete their best work, undisturbed and unassisted.
Bookkeeping students are relishing the opportunity to complete the exam with access to the creature comforts of home; a comfy chair, a cup of coffee, perhaps even the beloved dog...Here's what some of our latest, talented graduates have to say:
Marzena Chochowska
"The process was fairly straight forward. I am so pleased that ICB organised this exam as an online exam and I was able to take it now, rather than waiting for the lockdown to end. Thank you all so much.’’
Belinda Watkins
"Thank you so much for letting me know my mark so quickly, it's much appreciated. I've been so happy since I got the email! I think proctoring is the way forward for M8 - it's so convenient and easy to follow. I love that you can choose the day of the exam and then you can sit the exam at a time that suits you."
Tracy Parry
"I found being at home was more of a relaxing experience than a test centre. I thought as I knew it was being watched/recorded i would have been paranoid, but no. Given the option I would choose doing the exams in this way over a test centre. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity of being able to do the exam in this manner."
Fiona Kyle
"I couldn’t believe how easy it was to get set up and the information provided was excellent. When I booked the exam over the phone, Polly at ICB was brilliant and very helpful and encouraging. I live on a small island off the west coast of Scotland and it would have been 2 ferries and 5-hour journey to reach the nearest exam centre so this lock down worked in my favour. Thank you very much for allowing us to take the exams during this mad time."
So, if you ever needed the push to get qualified, now you have it. You won't get this time again, use it wisely. Talk to our friendly team about your exams and your career. We're here for you.
0203 405 4000
Remote proctoring for apprenticeship exams
Working together with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) we've been able to embed our remote proctoring service into our apprenticeship exams as well, meaning that apprentices on a work placement won't suffer any delays in qualifying.
ICB is an end-point assessor for three National Apprenticeship Standards:
Level 2 Accounts/Finance Assistant occupational standard
Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship occupational standard
Level 3 Payroll Administrator Apprenticeship occupational standard
Apprenticeships offer a funded route into the accounting profession and offer individuals the opportunity to earn while they learn. People of any age can become an apprentice, and employers of any size can hire an apprentice, or put existing staff on an apprenticeship. After successfully completing on and off the job training through their employer and apprenticeship training provider, apprentices can then progress to take the end-point assessment with ICB. Successful apprentices receive a prestigious certificate from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and can continue on their journey to join ICB as professional members.
You can find out more in our short video:
If you'd like more information about becoming an apprentice yourself, or training an apprentice, please call us on 0203 405 4000 or follw the link below:
> Find out more about apprenticeships through ICB
Time-barring rules relaxed to five years
Having been overwhelmed by the number of students getting in touch after, in some cases, breaks of over a decade, ICB's membership team and exams department have been working together to ensure that we can fulfill our core objective to enable the achievement of a recognised bookkeeping qualification.
We have therefore taken the significant decision to extend the maximum length of time that can elapse between two qualifications, and between qualification and membership application. Known as 'time-barring', some students may have been familiar with the requirement to take an ICB exam within two years of passing the preceding exam or risk having the exam 'time-bared' and having to start again. Similarly, any offer of membership was valid for just two years from the date of the qualifying exam. Now students can continue on to their next exam as long as no more than five years have elapsed since the preceding exam. Applications for membership will be accepted where qualifying exams were completed within the last five years.
ICB's Peter Stewart, has said,
"the extension to the time-barring period brings us in line with other bodies and I believe it is more fair. We also must accept that times are changing and the way we work is changing. The vast majority of our new student recruits don't have five days a week to dedicate to their studies. In many cases they're juggling family or other commitments. Sometimes it's the pressures of their busy working week in the corporate sector that's behind them wanting to change career and pursue the empowered future that an ICB qualification offers. We want to make sure that more talented bookkeepers join the UK's workforce so more and more UK businesses can feel the transformational effect of better bookkeeping."
If you took an exam within the last five years and want to restart, please get in touch with our friendly team on 0203 405 4000. We're also contacting all affected students over the coming month.
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