The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

All courses are fully tutor supported and are provided in hard copy, with additional online access to help with exam revision.

Make IDEAL Schools your #1 Training Partner

Amazing course package discounts available

We are immensely proud of our student successes, which is not only due to their hard work and commitment, but also to our Accredited ICB courses, which have been specifically written for home-study, providing many examples and exercises as study progresses. Our support services are uniquely personal to each student giving them the best opportunity for exam and career success.

Students have online access to their training materials as well as receiving the hard copy, ensuring they can always study in the most convenient way.

When it comes to exam preparation we leave nothing to chance. We provide tutor marked assignments, comprehensive mock exams, and all available and official ICB Mock exams for each subject. So confident are we that our students will pass exams first time, we offer the safety net of our EXAM PASS GUARANTEE. This provides the assurance that we’ll help our students in all aspects of their training to ensure their success. Our exceptionally high pass rates are proof that our systems work.

Please have a browse through our course information; then give our support team a no obligation call to discuss specific course options!

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) provides professional qualifications for anyone looking to enter the profession of bookkeeping & accounting. The organisation reflects the needs of businesses and represents bookkeepers at all levels

The institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. It promotes and maintains the standards of bookkeeping as a profession, through the establishment of a series of relevant qualifications and the award of grades of membership that recognise academic attainment, working experience and competence.

As an ICB Accredited training provider we are proud to offer their full qualification range (check out our ICB Platinum package), allowing you to tailor your commitment to fit in with your goals. ICB have three levels of membership, with additional Diploma qualifications.

The Institutes objectives are:

to promote bookkeeping as a profession;
to enable bookkeeping to gain recognition as an integral part of the financial profession;
to promote training in the principles of bookkeeping;
to develop personal study skills and improve confidence of those persons who undertake a course in bookkeeping;
to enable the achievements of qualifications, which may be used to enhance prospects for progression into higher levels study;
to improve the career prospects of its members

ICB Self Employment Course Packages

To practise as a self-employed bookkeeper under the ICB banner, your minimum requirement is Full Membership. We've grouped together various levels of study to offer training for qualifications that will set you apart from the rest, including the original ICB Career Path package and our FULLY comprehensive Platinum package, providing qualifications required for Fellow Membership. These packages are heavily discounted

Learn more about our Self-Employment course packages

ICB Level 2 Certificate - Associate Membership (AICB)

Covering basic elements to trial balance in manual & computerised bookkeeping, completion should open doors for work as a bookkeeper's assistant.

Study materials are provided in hard copy and online access is also provided to provide an extra, valuable revision tool. Full, personalised tutor support is provided and Tutorial Videos are available to enhance your learning.

Learn more about our Associate Member (AICB) opitons

ICB Level 3 Certificate - Full Membership (MICB)

Includes Level 2 & 3 course packages and our popular ICB Career Path Package. Dealing with postings and adjustments required with the completion of year-end accounts for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Non Profit Organisations, and management reporting for limited companies. If your ambition is self-employment as a bookkeeper, this is your minimum requirement to enable you to practise under the umbrella of ICB, where you can make use their valuable support services.

Learn more about our Full Member (MICB) options

ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management

This practical Diploma enables ICB Members to offer this valuable additional service to their prospective clients or employers. The course is fully tutor supported with personalised assignment corrections, Ideal Schools Mock exam and the official ICB Mock exams. Sage 50 Payroll professional software is included within your course fees. Our exceptional pass rate in this subject is proof that our comprehensive preparation gives students the best chance to pass their exams first time.

Learn more about our Payroll Management course

ICB Level 4 Certificate - Fellow Membership & CPD Options

Ensure your Bookkeeping business is a ONE-STOP-SHOP for your clients.
For many years Ideal Schools have provided our students with structured training in these qualifications; covering the requirement to attain Fellow Membership of ICB. These courses are supported by our award winning Taxation tutor and not only provide the knowledge to pass exams, but practical guidance on how to apply your new skills in practice. We leave nothing to chance.
As a member of ICB you are encouraged to complete continued Professional Development (CPD) to ensure your knowledge is kept relevant and up to date so you can offer your clients and/or employer a reliable service. In particular, adding Self-Assessment and Corporation Tax qualifications to your CV will allow you to expand your client base to include Micro Entities and Small Businesses, enabling you to complete and submit their accounts under the FRS105 & FRS102 (section 1A) financial standards. We offer individual and discounted combined enrolment options within this course range.

Learn more about our Level 4 Certificate - CPD Options

Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) - The Benefits

Consultation with commerce and industry has confirmed and amplified the Institute's assessment of the need for qualified bookkeepers. Employers both large and small are fully supportive of the objectives of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

Gaining membership of the ICB has many benefits and is the perfect way for you to start your bookkeeping career. Through your membership you will receive advice and guidance on how to start your own business, and receive continued support when your business is up and running. These include:

Networking Opportunities

ICB have an extensive network of branch meetings, each one is run by an ICB member and open to all students and members. Attendance of these allows you to share experiences with your peers. Ideal Schools are proud to sponsor a number of these and attend those local to us on a regular basis.

ICB also hold an annual 'Bookkeepers Summit', the largest of its kind, where they bring together leaders within this industry to keep you informed of legislation and developments. There are many speakers, but areas covered include: software companies, pension regulators, HMRC, and many, many more.

Continued Professional Development (CPD)

ICB have done more than any other organisation to raise the profile of the 'the bookkeeper', to such an extent that this is now regarded as a recognised profession. Part of their commitment is to ensure their membership practises to the highest standard, they encourage continued CPD with a guidance of 30 hrs per year (structured & unstructured). Our extensive course range, allied with annual payroll & tax updates, ensures we are well placed to keep your skills relevant.

We are a successful, family run college with over 35 years of experience in teaching bookkeeping & accounting, and related subjects via home study. ALL our services are set up to ensure you are guided and supported throughout your ICB journey. Within our course pages you'll get a full breakdown of what we will provide, but here is a brief breakdown:

During your study you will be:

Treated with fairness and respect
Provided with direct telephone support from ICB award winning tutors on award winning ICB courses
Tested comprehensively to ensure exam preparation, including IDEAL mocks PLUS all ICB standard online mock exams
Given the choice of software (ICB Level 2) - Sage or Xero
Covered by our exam pass guarantee
And, much, much more