ICB Level 3 Bookkeeping and Accounts

Paper BA4 – reconciliations and final accounts of a sole trader:

• Underpinning knowledge
• Reconciliation and correction of errors (customer and supplier reconciliations, bank reconciliation, correction of errors)
• VAT Returns
• Posting adjustments including disposal and acquisition of fixed assets
• Final accounts of a sole trader
• Production of final accounts of a sole trader with adjustments using a computerised package

Paper BA5 – final accounts of a partnership

• Underpinning knowledge
• Posting adjustments including disposal and acquisition of fixed assets
• Final accounts of a partnership including the appropriation account and production of partners’ current accounts

Paper BA6 – final accounts of a not-for-profit organisation

• Underpinning knowledge
• Posting adjustments including the subscriptions account and disposal and acquisition of fixed assets
• Final accounts of a not-for-profit organisation

Paper BA7 – Level III External Assessment

• A single assessment to be taken at an ICB examination centre will be a mixture of multiple choice and data entry questions which will cover all elements of the syllabus.

The four assessments (BA4, BA5, BA6) are to be taken in the order listed above and these exams are taken via the ICB portal at home. Finally you will take the BA7 exam in a local Pearson Vue test centre (these are often the same building as a driving test centre)(. This is a mixture of multiple choice and data entry questions. Successful candidates will need to pass all assessments to gain the full qualification.

Successful achievement of this qualification will allow you to apply for Associate Membership to the ICB. You will be able to work as an Bookkeeper and you will also receive an official certificate of completion from the ICB. Read more about the ICB here.

You have up to a year to complete this course and we have included a suggested number of study hours below. This is usually ample time for learners, even with full time jobs and other commitments. Don’t worry if you go over the year though, we can organise an extension to your course for a small fee, which also extends your tutor support.

This is a paper-based course, meaning that we will send all of your study materials out to you in the post.  However, correspondence with your personal tutor is via email and our student portal.

Q: Tell me about my Tutor Support?

You will have access to your personal tutor, via email, who will support you through your learning.  If you get stuck, we’re here to help, and you can always give our student support team a call too if you need any non-curriculum based help or advice.

Q: What about the Sage Software?

We include 6 months’ access to the full version of SageOne within our course fee. Our cloud-based Sage software runs on any computer with a web browser.

Q: What skills are needed to enrol onto this course?

Before commencing the study at this level the you should have achieved an ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping or its equivalent.

Q: What is included in the cost of my course?

We provide all the specially written learning materials you require to study this course at home. The course fee also includes our personal tutor support for 12 months. We provide 12 months’ free student membership and registration to The ICB which is worth £78 and access to SageOne accounting cloud software for 6 months worth £144.  That’s a bundled saving of £222!

Q: Are there any additional costs?

You will receive everything you need to complete this course within the study materials we provide but you will be responsible for the optional exam fees if you wish to take them and they are charged at £36 per online exam and £67 for the external assessment.

Q: Is there a required reading list?

No, all of the study materials are supplied within your learning pack.

Q: Do I have to sit an exam?

Yes, there are three online assessments which can be done at home and a single exam to be taken at an ICB examination centre will be a mixture of multi-choice and data entry questions which will cover all elements of the syllabus.

Q: What if I live outside the UK?

ICB examinations can be completed outside of the UK and in most countries around the world. Home-based examinations can be completed anywhere that you can connect securely to the internet and open your emails.

Centre-based examinations are available at more than 5,200 centres worldwide throughout the year.

Q: What do I do if I still have questions?

Please check our FAQs section or Contact Us, we are happy to answer any questions you have.

Additional information