ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
Learning Hours: 80-100
Duration: Up to 12 Months
Exams: 3
Start your journey to your new career as a Bookkeeper.
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Save 15% on checkout price with code: blackfriday15 Enrol with the 12-time ICB Training Provider of the Year. |
On this level 2 ICB qualification, you will learn the principles that underpin double-entry bookkeeping. And upon completion, you can competently manage the bookkeeping and accounts for your or your partner’s business, or apply for Jobs in Bookkeeping and Accounts.
This course comprises three units: A1, A2, and A3. A1 and A2 tackle manual bookkeeping and A3 focuses on computerised bookkeeping using Xero Cloud Software.
This course uses Xero. Are you looking to complete your studies using Sage Business Cloud software? Click here to be taken to our Sage version of the course.
No other training provider includes as many materials, lessons, examples and activities.
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Exceptional ICB pass rates |
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Study whenever you want – at your own pace |
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Award-winning tutor support |
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Dedicated accounting and bookkeeping training provider |
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Interest-free payment plans to spread the cost |
Includes free bonus course
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Free Xero Course and Certification
This enhances your CV and gives you the experience of using one of the most in-demand types of accounting software.
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ICB Training Provider of the Year
With 12 wins, no other distance learning provider has won ICB Training Provider of the Year more than Training Link.
Training Link focuses on only three subjects: Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll.
This keeps us focused on delivering the best student experience. And that’s why over the last 28 years we’ve won over 20 awards – from scooping AAT’s Best New Training Provider in 2018 to winning ICB’s Training Provider of the Year award 12 times!
Training Link has written and created all of the study material for our ICB courses.
And because we control this material, we can improve it based on student feedback and results. This is what helps Training Link students achieve outstanding pass rates.
- 12 Months ICB Student registration fee
- 3 x printed workbooks containing lessons, examples, activities and assessments, plus a model answers workbook
- Enhanced Learning Materials and Time Saving Utilities (Fast track)
- 24/7 Online assessments with instant marking
- Videos – On-demand tutorials and explainer videos
- Extensive exam practice and preparation (Mock exams with tutor feedback)
- Access to Xero Cloud software for the A3 unit
- Up to 12 months Award Winning Qualified 1 to 1 tutor support by e-mail and telephone
- Student Services support 7 days per week
- FREE Postage and packaging within the UK
- FREE access to ICB’s award-winning membership benefits scheme, ICBenefits
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers was established in 1996. They promote the bookkeeping profession, learning and education, and offer qualifications.
The ICB is the largest bookkeeping membership organisation in the world. There are over 150,000 students and members in over 100 countries.
ICB’s certification is based on exams and only the finest professionals are eligible for membership. Members need to maintain their status via Continuous Professional Development.
ICB’s rigorous standards give businesses the confidence that an ICB-certified Bookkeeper will have the highest standards. And that’s why it is a perfect pathway for anyone who wants to become a self-employed bookkeeper.
The Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping course package includes ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ covering Manual Bookkeeping and ‘A3’ covering Computerised Bookkeeping.
A1 – Basic Double-Entry Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
- The role of the Bookkeeper
- Types of Businesses
- The concepts of Business Entity and Historic Cost
- Setting up the Bank Account
- The Analysed Cash Book
- An Introduction to Double Entry Bookkeeping
- The concept of Duality
- Correction of Errors
- The Journal
- The Cash Account
- Two Column Cash Book
- Debit and Credit Cards
- Payroll Transactions
- Credit Transactions
- An Introduction to Value Added Tax
- Business Documents
- Calculating VAT
- Discounts
- VAT and the Ledgers
- Petty Cash
- Practice activities with model answers
- Practical assignments
- Mock Exam
- Online Mock Exam
A2 – Further Double-Entry Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
- Day Books
- Control Accounts
- Three Column Cash Book
- Bad debts
- Sale of an Asset
- Bank Reconciliation
- Paying the VAT bill
- The Construction Industry
- Withdrawal of funds by partners and directors
- Foreign Transactions
- Relevant Legislation
- Practice activities with model answers
- Online Knowledge tests
- Practical assignments
- Mock Exam
- Online Mock Exam
A3 – Data Entry to Trial Balance using Software
- Setting Up a New Business
- Getting Started
- Rebuilding data & manual configuration
- Company set-up wizard
- Opening balances
- Product Codes
- Setting up New Customers/Suppliers
- Adding New Customers
- Invoices with Trade/Settlement Discounts
- Settlement Discounts
- Customer Invoicing Procedure
- Supplier Invoices
- Corrections
- Customer Receipts & Supplier Payments
- Customer Receipts
- Payments on Account
- Bad Debt Write-Offs & Sale of Assets
- Bad Debt Write-Off
- Bad Debt Recovered
- Sale of Assets
- Bank Reconciliation
- Wages / Salaries & Voluntary Deductions
- Wages & Salaries
- Voluntary Deductions
- Cash Account & Petty Cash Account
- Cash Account
- Petty Cash Account
- Allocating Credit Notes
- Health & Safety
- The Use of Computers
- Exam Preparation
- Mock Exam
Further details on the learning outcomes, assessment criteria, grading, and more can be found by accessing the ICB’s Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping Syllabus
There are no prerequisites, but you need to have basic numerical skills and a good understanding of the English language.
A Basic Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting course is available if you would like to take a short taster course.
If you have any questions please contact us.
This is perfect if you want to competently manage the bookkeeping and accounts for your own or your partner’s business, or apply for Jobs in Bookkeeping and Accounts.
On completion, you can upgrade your ICB membership status and use the letters AICB after your name. You can also tap into the ICB’s professional support and resources.
If you want to work as a freelance Bookkeeper, we would recommend looking at our ICB Self-Employed Bookkeeper Packages.
Exam preparation
End of course tests and Mock Exams are the perfect way to ensure you have the best possible chance of success.
Our specialist exams department will provide you with the latest end-of-course tests, plus online mock exams. Our online mock exams use the same system as the real exams so you will have a good idea of what to expect and ease your nerves at the same time.
You will receive specialist feedback, advice and support plus any extra lessons you may need before taking your exams. Your results are important to us so nothing will be spared during your exam preparations.
The cost of exams can increase at the discretion of the awarding body (ICB). If you include the exam fees as part of your enrolment, we will pay for all exam fees up to the agreed value at the time of purchase, but any subsequent increase in exam fees will need to be paid for by the student.
Assessments
The ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ exams are online so you will need a reliable Internet connection and a computer.
The ‘A3’ Paper is a home-based assignment where you will need to upload a report.
Assessment
There are three online assessments, all of which are taken in your home or workplace. The first two test the concepts that underpin the double entry system for different types of businesses; the third tests the set-up and data entry to trial balance using a computerised system.
Paper A1 – Basic double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance
An online exam
- Underpinning knowledge
- Knowledge of the different categories of business that exist
- Terms in bookkeeping (assets, liabilities etc.)
- Banking procedures
- Understanding the different categories of VAT (standard, reduced, zero, exempt, outside the scope)
- Calculation of the value of the capital investment for a sole trader
- Calculation of business documents including calculation of VAT
- Showing an understanding of the effect of entering transactions into a bookkeeping system for sales, purchases, overheads, capital items, returns, personal items etc.
- The effect of making and receiving payments including bank, cash and petty cash transactions
- Calculation of account balances
- Production and explanation of a trial balance
Paper A2 – Further double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance
An online exam
- Underpinning knowledge
- Ethics
- Legislation relevant to the bookkeeper
- Accounting concepts
- Further double entry including the following
- Topics from paper 1
- The content of control accounts
- Writing off a bad debt
- Construction Industry Scheme
- Posting non-sole trader entries (subscriptions, donations, drawings of partners, directors’ loan accounts etc.)
- Entry of payroll journals
- Calculation of the value of a suspense account in a system that does not balance
- Reconciliation of debtors, creditors and bank balances
- Correction of errors that do not affect the trial balance
- Production and explanation of a trial balance
Paper A3 – Data entry to trial balance using a computerised accounts package
Home/workplace-based test to include the use of a computerised accounting package to include:
- Opening of entries
- Entry of cash and credit transactions
- Reconciliations
- Production of a trial balance
- Production of reports for debtors, creditors, bank, VAT and the audit trail
The three assessments should be taken in the order listed above. Each assessment will generate an accreditation notification. Successful candidates will need to pass all three assessments to gain the full qualification.
Grading
The full qualification will be graded at Distinction with Honours, Distinction, Merit or Pass
All assessments are taken at home or at the place of work, and each test will be graded as follows:
- Distinction 95 -100%
- Merit 90 – 94%
- Pass 85 – 89%
- Fail 0 – 84%
Once all assessments have been successfully completed a final certificate can be applied for which will be graded at Distinction with Honours, Distinction, Merit or Pass. Unit results will be aggregated. To achieve the relevant grade in the full qualification, the following aggregate marks must be achieved:
- Distinction with Honours 295 marks and above
- Distinction 285 – 294 marks
- Merit 270 – 284 marks
- Pass 255 – 269 marks
Want more flexibility?
Our tutor support timeframes are deliberately generous and far exceed what most students need.
Most of our students finish well in advance of the course duration. But what happens if you do need a little longer?
This is where our course extension options come into play. We offer one-month, three-month, and six-month extensions so you can feel reassured by knowing that if you do need extra time you have that option.
Course package options
£1,006.00
Spread payments over 3 years
Our finance option is provided in partnership with Omni Capital. For your finance application to be considered you must meet the following criteria:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be employed for at least 16 hours per week or retired and in receipt of a private or company pension. Certain state benefit schemes may be considered.
- Be a permanent UK resident with a 3 year address history
- Have a good credit history with no late payments, debt relief orders or bankruptcies
- Have a valid email address and can access it
Please note that meeting the criteria listed above does not guarantee finance acceptance.
If you want to enrol on a course and you have questions about your Omni Capital application or want to discuss other payment options please call us on 0800 594 2822.
Want to see what it's like to study with us?
Our free sample showcases some of our level 2 bookkeeping and accounting study material.
Just fill in the form and you'll have access to an E-book, a sample video, and a PDF file, along with a small test to complete.
