If you're looking at starting a career or taking a professional course in financial work, you will need to decide which route to take to allow you the career you want, by looking at the differences between the Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) qualifications, and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). The two routes offer slightly different course content and different career opportunities, although both are widely recognised throughout the profession. The ICB is the world's largest bookkeeper's body, with around 100,000 members, whilst the AAT has around 120,000 members, although the majority of these work in more areas than bookkeeping alone. ICB courses are widely recognised as a good option for people wanting to start their own business, which would involve undertaking basic bookkeeping work for local businesses or people who are self employed. The ICB, as a professional body, is focussed around providing support to you in trying to find work and get advertising. The professional designation given from studying an ICB qualification is that of 'Certified Bookkeeper', which may come across as more relevant to potential clients than 'Accounting Technician', which is the result of AAT courses.

The AAT route is a good option if you are looking at a wide ranging, long term career in accounts. The courses are designed to meet NVQ standards, meaning they provide wide ranging recognised workplace skills, and even the lower level courses go into more general areas, such as business law. This is a good option if you feel you've missed out on studying accountancy at University, and that you have ambitions of being a chartered accountant in years to come. An AAT qualification is recognised by all five of the professional chartered accountant bodies (CIPFA, ICAS, ICAEW, CIMA and ACCA) as giving exemptions to their requirements, and the right level of AAT can be recognised as the same level as an accounting graduate. There is still experience required to gain entry to one of the chartered bodies, even after you reach level three with the AAT, but this means you have a structured path available if you have broad ambitions with your accountancy qualification. However, choosing the ICB route doesn't necessarily exclude you from becoming chartered at a later time. ICB qualifications help towards membership of the IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants), which does give exemptions to one of the chartered bodies, ICEAW. In addition, many people entering the accountancy field will start with bookkeeping, and take an ICB course, and only after this start to expand their interest more widely. There is no reason why you cannot take an AAT qualification after this, to give you a fully rounded knowledge and recognition from both bodies. In terms of the actual study, the ICB may be easier for you to fit around other commitments, as the exam can be taken on your computer at home without the need to visit an exam centre.

For an accessible introduction to finance, the ICB is a well respected, established body that will be recognised by small businesses and other clients. As a good basis for development of a career within an accountancy firm or finance department, an AAT qualification offers a comprehensive option that can lead directly to further development.

Related Courses: ICB Level 3 Professional, AAT Level 2 Certificate, AAT Level 3 Diploma, Sage Payroll Management, ICB Level 2 Associate, Sage Computerised Bookkeeping, AAT Level 4 Diploma, AAT Level 2 and 3, ICB Level 2 and 3, IAB Sage 50 Accounting