In her first blog as the ICB Head of Learning and Development, Vanessa Aradia outlines the ways ICB will supporting bookkeepers to develop the skills to thrive in an ever changing world with a refreshed syllabus.
You work on the front line of the economy. You keep businesses compliant, you keep people paid, and you keep financial records accurate and trustworthy. That work has always required deep technical expertise, and it still does. What has changed is the environment in which you are operating.
At ICB, we recognise that technology continues to move at pace and expectations around transparency, conduct and sustainability are increasing. These changes show up directly in your day-to-day work in bookkeeping and payroll. And these are the factors that are driving the latest update of our syllabus. Our qualifications need to continually reflect what you are expected to do in practice, enabling you to operate with confidence and credibility.
The refreshed syllabus is being designed around core themes that run throughout all stages of learning. Ethics, sustainability, digital capability and professional communication will sit alongside technical content as core expectations of professional competence.
Ethics matters because trust underpins our profession. You handle sensitive information, statutory obligations and financial outcomes that affect people’s lives and organisational decisions. Embedding ethics throughout the syllabus reinforces professional judgement, responsibility and consistent standards.
Sustainability matters because finance roles are increasingly connected to governance, risk and long-term organisational responsibility. Understanding sustainability supports informed decision-making and reflects the expectations now placed on the businesses and organisations you support.
Digital capability matters because systems, automation and data are embedded in the everyday work or any bookkeeper or payroll professional. The syllabus update reflects the importance of working confidently with technology while retaining responsibility for accuracy, compliance and oversight.
Professional communication matters because technical work only has value when it is clearly understood. And it’s a clear ‘value add’ for your role as a bookkeeper. Your ability to explain requirements, outcomes and obligations accurately builds strong professional relationships.
As a team, ICB is committed to ensuring the syllabus is future focused, practical and relevant, so you remain at the forefront of your profession. I care deeply about this work because I see how much responsibility sits with you every day.
Bookkeeping and payroll are often described in technical terms, but at their core they are about trust, judgement and consistency. You are relied upon to get things right, to spot when something does not look right, and to act with professionalism even when the pressure is on. That reality shapes how I think about the ICB syllabus. My focus is on making sure it reflects the standards you already uphold, supports the confidence you need in a changing landscape, and continues to recognise the expertise and accountability that define your role.
