ICB or AAT

[JohannaCT]

I am in the process of finishing my basic bookkeeping course with ICB, with the intention of going all the way to MICB. But looking at the job market it really looks like I need AAT instead if I want to be taken seriously.

Reading up on the bookkeepers forum, It seems ICB is not really recognised as a qualification by employers and accountants, but it also seems that as I want to be a bookkeeper and not an accountant, the AAT qualification will not allow me to call myself a fully qualified bookkeeper as it is somewhere between accounting and bookkeeping but doesn’t really place me properly in either category.

So what qualification should I choose? As a self-employed bookkeeper, would accountants recognise me as a fully qualified bookkeeper with the MICB qualification or should I jump ship and do the AAT qualification?

This is a minefield and I would really appreciate your advice.

 

[teddys]

As a qualified accountant I would rate AAT to be a good qualification particularly as a first step towards a career in accountancy. Micro businesses account for a very large part of all the businesses today and being an AAT qualified helps whether you wish to work for them or be in practice. An AAT qualified can meet most of what these micro businesses need in terms of accounting and compliance.

Bookkeeping as a career has its own limitations. Going to the second level in bookkeeping doesn't give you an edge whereas AAT does.

 

[David Ballantyne]

If you are looking for an employed career then there is no question that you should choose AAT. I have worked in industry and the not for profit sector for over twenty years in many organisations and the only technician level accounting qualification that people have had is AAT.

With AAT you can choose to be employed or self employed. With ICB I suspect it would have less credibility with employers as you have stated, but would be fine if you want to be self employed.

I have had a quick look at the syllabi for the two qualifications and they seem broadly similar with the exception that the AAT qualification seems to cover limited company accounts in more depth, and also covers corporation tax which the ICB syllabus does not seem to touch.

My recommendation would be to go with AAT.

 

[JohannaCT]

Thank you both for your comments. Indeed it does seem that AAT is the way to go if I want to be employed, but realistically at 40 (in 2 weeks) with all the qualifications and no experience, I suspect my chances of finding an employed position are slim to impossible.

 

[kjmcculloch]

I would agree for employment AAT is the way to go. As a self employed bookkeeper I found that ICB offered me more support in setting up and running a business than AAT did. Having said that, that was a few years ago and things may have changed.

ICB have now developed another level (level 4) which goes closer to AAT. Certainly in my role as a self employed bookkeeper I have never felt hindered by being a member of ICB and not another body. If I'm honest clients don't seem to care (sad really).

In addition to ICB I have an HNC and working towards and HND in Accounting which I feel gives me a better all round grounding.

It really depends on your end goal.

Kris

 

[JohannaCT]

Thank you Kris, that's what I needed to hear. Feel a bit better about my choices now.