Bookkeeping (ICB Level 1 & 2) Course

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a Book keeping qualification. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning Book keeping is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learning Level 1 & 2 Book keeping course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

This course is suitable if you wish to develop book keeping skills for your business, your job or keep track of finances. Essential Book keeping prepares you for a number of nationally recognised qualifications and is also the perfect starting point for a career in accounting.

This course helps you:

• develop a good level of basic bookkeeping skills 
• prepare for more advanced bookkeeping training 
• acquire the underpinning knowledge needed for Accounting NVQs 
• gain a recognised bookkeeping qualification 

How is the course structured? 

The Institute of Certified Book-Keepers Bookkeeping Level 1 & 2 course is divided into thirteen comprehensive units:

Level 1 Book Keeping

Unit 1 – An introduction to record keeping

• The importance of keeping accurate financial records
• The layout of a bank account and its entries
• Balancing the account

Unit 2 – Further bank account transactions

• Types of income and expenditure
• The analysed bank account

Unit 3 – Double Entry Book Keeping – Cash Transactions

• Basic double entry accounts for bank transactions
• Further account balancing 
• The trial balance 
• The cash account
• The capital account
• Accounting for payroll transactions

Unit 4 – Double Entry Book Keeping - Credit Transactions

• Credit transactions
• Developing accounts for customers and suppliers 
• Splitting the Ledger
• Entering credit transactions into the accounts

Unit 5 – The Calculation of VAT and the development of business documents

• The  concept of VAT and VAT registered businesses
• Calculating VAT
• The production of business documents containing VAT
• Dealing with trade and cash discounts

Unit 6 – The posting of VAT Transactions to the Ledgers

• The posting of cash and credit items to the ledger for a VAT registered business
• VAT Input and  VAT Output accounts
• The single Vat Account
• How to calculate  VAT exclusive and VAT inclusive amounts

Unit 7 – Day Books

• Explanation of day books
• Making entries into the various books
• Posting day book entries to the relevant accounts in the correct ledger

Level 2 Book Keeping

Unit 1 – Cash Books

• Two column cash books
• Revision of cash discount
• Three column cash book
• The Petty Cash Book

Unit 2 – Correction of errors

• Types of errors
• Correcting the ledgers
• The suspense account

Unit 3 – Reconciling the accounts

• Bank reconciliation
• Control Accounts – reconciling customer and supplier balances
• The VAT Return

Unit 4 – Introduction to Final Accounts of a Sole Trader

• The nature of profit
• Calculating gross and net profit
• The Trading, Profit and Loss Account
• The Balance Sheet

Unit 5 – Adjustments to Final Accounts

• Accruals and prepayments
• Depreciation
• Bad debts and the Provision for Bad Debts
• Further corrections and adjustments to profits

Unit 6 – End of Year Ledger Entries

• Closing of the ledger accounts at the year end 

Home Study Tutor Support

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete Book Keeping course. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact our Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

What's more, you'll have access to the online student portal, where you can interact with other students, browse our resource library and manage your account.

Course Assessments 

There will be two final examinations which make up 100% of the mark. You will need to contact the ICB and pay to become a member which is currently £45.

Exam fees are payable, visit http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk

Upon successful completion and achievement of the required pass mark, a nationally recognised certificate will be awarded by the Institute of Certified Book-Keepers as confirmation that your work has met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the programme.

What's Included? What do I get when I enrol?

Your course fee covers everything you will need to successfully complete the Book keeping home study course and earn your award:

1. All textbooks, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning
2. A full range of student services, including:

• Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)
• Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)
• NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)
• Comprehensive Study Guide & Study Plan
• Guide to Effective Study Techniques
• How to approach exams without fear

3. An accredited award upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body NCFE
4. One year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course.  This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Bookkeeping and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.

Accounts Clerk

If you're an organised person who loves working with facts and figures, this could be a job that you would really enjoy. Accounts clerks (also known as finance clerks or bookkeepers) work in all types of businesses and organisations, keeping financial records and helping to prepare accounts.