I am currently a MICB and over the past couple of years have, like many others, been waiting for clarification and additonal info on Level 4. I see that posts on the subject have appeared on both this forum and the ICB forum but then just seem to fizzle out. I have purchased all the Level 4 books and after some second thoughts and discovering IFA/FTA have just purchased all of the IFA Diploma books.
The question is which to pursue and why? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.
IFA is an IFAC member body (which as of this month is now also is AAT) so if you were looking to pursue a career in accountancy that would be a serious option to look at.
ICB is not a member of IFAC and sits firmly on the bookkeeping side of the fence.
That is nothing against the ICB but the membership of IFAC is becoming a handy yard stick to think whether a body sits on the bookkeeping or accountantancy side of the fence... Even I sometimes have difficulty trying to work out where one stops and the other begins.
There is an arguement to suggest that being a member of both ICB and IFA gives you a greater scope of networking opportunities.
You are already MICB so why not also go down the IFA path and get additional letters for your business cards rather than replacements.
Its always easier to decide what you don't want when you have both.
kind regards,
Shaun.
p.s. I am PQ ACCA, Cert ACC (Open), Dip FM with IFA (the banner that I practice under) and was AICB for a while (my first practice licence).
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks for your reply. I have more or less dedcided to go for the IFA option but , as you suggest, without burning bridges with the ICB. I know that several other members of this forum are members of both ICB and IFA and was curious to see if anybody would come up with something that I might have missed.
I think that it's more common with IAB members moving to IFA than ICB ones due to the history there (IAB and IFA used to share management but are now totally seperate entities) but your right, there are quite a few moving over to IFA espechially at the moment whilst they seem to be on a bit of a recruitment drive to get practicing members of other bodies to move over.
My only gripe about the IFA at the moment is that it doesn't matter when you join, the renewal date is the start of the year so first year only could be costly if you don't time it right. (Try for a January join up to get the most membership for your money).
Going forwards how many people will go IAB to IFA is an unknown since the IAB brought out the IAAP as an option.
I think that you should be able to get some qualification just from knowing all the various different options out there at the moment!
Good luck in your choices and career,
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
"it doesn't matter when you join, the renewal date is the start of the year so first year only could be costly if you don't time it right. (Try for a January join up to get the most membership for your money)"
The above is a really good piece of advice; thank you, Shaun.
