To achieve her goals, Joanne studied the following options:
The ICB Career Path
Level 4 Certificate - Advanced CPD options

The stresses and strains of a busy admin role in a public transport company were bearing down on Joanne Turner, and she felt she had to address her work-life balance, and start working towards her goals.

With an interest in finance, and desire to learn, she took courses for both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). Her aim of becoming Member of the ICB brought her to Ideal Schools.

“There was a wealth of choice for the courses I wanted to do, and I chose Ideal Schools after talking to Brian McVean, a tutor there. I really felt that the levels of support and the detail on the courses were second to none.

“You feel like more than just a number with Ideal Schools, and that hasn’t been the case with a few of the other online offerings I found. Its Facebook group is a really great idea, and you feel part of a group, even though you’re studying alone.”

After studying with both the ACCA and Ideal Schools, Mrs Turner is now fully qualified FICB, and has a number of additional skills, such as the FRS105 and Payroll qualifications. Last year, she bought an established practice, NS24. She already has 10 clients and is moving into new premises in Island Street in Galashiels.

NS24 Ltd is in the process of expanding its client bases through local advertising. The practice prides itself on being on the cutting edge of current developments, such as cloud based technology.

The focus for moving forward will be on client experience and effective near real-time financial information.

She said: “I’m embracing new technology with the practice and using auto-entries, cloud technology and making sure that the client experience is as streamlined and effective as I can make it. I want my clients to be able to make real-time decisions, and have the information to back them up.

“I’ve done almost every course offered by Ideal Schools, and each one brought me more skills. The FRS105 and Payroll courses were a great offering and each course I take brings me more services I can offer local business and sole traders.”