Students completing this course and passing the exams will:

• Develop core skills in both manual and computerised bookkeeping
• Become a Full Member of the ICB (MICB) and use the designated MICB letters after your name. This will enable you to work as an employed or self employed bookkeeper offering your services to sole traders, partnerships and not-for-profit organisations. You become a fully qualified bookkeeper.

Your course includes:

• Free ICB 1-Year Annual Subscription and Registration fee (normally £80.00)
• Free Sage 50 Workbook software

Upon completion of this course and the associated tests you will be qualified as a Full Member of the ICB (MICB) and allowed to practice as a bookkeeper on a self employed basis for sole traders, partnerships and not for-profit organisations. You will also be fully qualified for employed roles.

We provide you with support for up to twelve months but it is entirely up to you how quickly you work through and when you sit the exams. Your sage software will be valid for six months so do not download it until you have completed the manual section of the course.

There are four exams/tests that you will take. The first three are taken online from the comfort of your own home (or at work). The final exam you must attend a Pearson Vue test centre (usually the same as where driving theory test is taken) local to yourself.

Your course materials are delivered to you hard copy and are yours to keep allowing you to make notes, highlight things etc.

Throughout the course you are fully supported so if you come across anything you are unsure of you can contact your tutor by email. You also have a support team by telephone.

At the end of each section you will complete an assignment which you will email to your tutor. This doesn't count towards your end result but it allows the tutor to ensure you are on the right track and help iron out any problem areas. Assignments consist of exam style questions so are effectively mini mock exams. The idea is that by the end of each section you are fully up to speed and confident you will be able to pass the exams.

Topic 1: Underpinning Knowledge

• Understand the importance of adhering to a code of ethical principles
• Understand when and how to take appropriate action to cope with unethical behaviour
• Understand the legal differences between the structures of various businesses
• Understand the main accounting concepts that apply
• Understand the various accounting standards that are applied to the production of year end accounts
• Understand the different VAT schemes that are available for use
• Understand the importance of being able to clearly communicate relevant information
• Understand the requirements for uploads to HMRC under Making Tax Digital (as and when introduced)

Topic 2: Reconcile Accounts and Correct Errors

• Reconcile debtors and creditors control accounts
• Write off a bad debt
• Correct errors in the accounts

Topic 3: Reconcile and Produce a VAT return

• Reconcile the VAT account
• Complete a VAT return

Topic 4: Calculate and Post Adjustments to the Accounts

• Account for the disposal of fixed assets
• Understand the need to allow for, and be able to post, adjustments to the accounts
• Provide for revaluation of assets

Topic 5: Produce draft final accounts for internal management purposes

• Prepare a set of final accounts suitable for internal management purposes
• Calculate and post relevant amounts to appropriate profits as required
• Adjust capital share of partners

Topic 6: Interpretation of financial statements

• Understand the importance of interpreting financial statements for internal management purpose
• Analyse and interpret financial statements
• Prepare a cash budget

The first three exams can be taken at anytime from home or at work. These are paid for separately and cost £40 each. The final exam you must take at a Pearson Vue test centre. Here you will be tested across all topics including those from Level 2. The cost is £76.

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is the world's largest bookkeeping body. The ICB was started in the UK in 1996 and now has over 150,000 members. The ICB aims to provide relevant and academically recognised qualifications as well as promote and maintain the standards of bookkeeping as a profession.