ICB Exemption

If you hold existing AAT qualifications achieved within the last 5 years, you can gain exemption directly into ICB membership or Level 3 study without needing to complete additional software units. Simply pay the ICB exemption fee to get started.

If you have completed either of the following qualifications:

• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting

You qualify for exemption to Associate level, enabling you to enrol directly onto the full ICB Level 3 Course.

How to Enrol:

As the online course options below relate specifically to the Bridging Unit, please contact our Administration Department directly to process your exemption fee and set up your Level 3 enrolment.

• Email: admin@training-link.co.uk
• Phone: 0800 594 2822 / 0121 323 4477

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If you have achieved any of the following qualifications:

• Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping AND Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Bookkeeping
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting AND Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting

The ICB Bridging Unit is the most direct pathway to gain full ICB Membership (MICB) and Certified Bookkeeper status.

Covering the Skills Gap

The ICB’s core syllabus includes extra competencies not covered in the equivalent AAT qualifications. The ICB Bridging Unit culminates in a single online “bridging exam” to cover that competence gap, demonstrating proficiency in bookkeeping and final accounts for:

• Not-for-profit organisations (such as small charities and clubs)
• Limited companies

Completing the Bridging Unit and passing the associated exam leads directly to full ICB Membership and Certified Bookkeeper status (MICB), allowing you to apply for a Practice Licence and offer bookkeeping services to a wide range of businesses.

About the Bridging Exam

• Format: The Bridging exam is an online test featuring a mixture of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions.
• Content: While it primarily assesses new topics (not-for-profit organisations and limited companies), 10% of the exam covers core bookkeeping principles (sole traders and partnerships).
• Location & Duration: The exam is open-book, takes 3 hours, and can be completed from home or any location with a stable broadband connection.
• Preparation: We provide mock exams throughout the Bridging Unit to fully prepare you for the formal assessment.

PLEASE NOTE: The Bridging Unit is solely for the purpose of demonstrating the necessary competence to gain full membership into the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). It does not lead to a standalone certificate from Training Link or the ICB. Your ultimate achievement is obtaining ICB membership.

Bridging Exam Content

The Bridging Exam combines Learning Outcomes from the ICB’s Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts.

The table below shows the mark allocation for each topic within the Bridging Exam, and the unit from which each Learning Outcome is taken.

We sat down with a few of our former students to find out why they studied an ICB qualification, what they thought of the study experience, and what they have gone on to do after gaining their qualifications.