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Do I have to do a course to take an Institute examination? |
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No. It is not necessary to undertake a course of study. If you feel that you have sufficient knowledge to complete an examination, all you need to do is become a Registered Student and apply for the examination. |
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| Q. |
Do I have to be a member of the Institute to apply for an examination? |
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No. You are required to be a Registered Student to apply for an examination, and your registration period must be valid at the date of the examination. |
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| Q. |
If I am an accountant can I automatically become a member? |
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No. An accountant is obviously normally qualified to a far higher standard than a bookkeeper. However, the Institute needs to ensure that all applicants are competent bookkeepers and it could be that your accounting qualification did not cover bookkeeping in enough depth for our membership purposes.. You will therefore need to apply for membership, enclosing a copy of your CV, copies of any relevant qualification certificates and details of two referees who are willing to act as referees and who are familiar with your book-keeping work carried out within the last two years. At least one of your referees should be a Chartered Accountant. |
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Will my qualification taken with another organisation exempt me from the Institute’s examination? |
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The Institute will only accept you solely on the basis of your qualification if it was awarded by a recognised awarding body and was completed within the last two years. You should forward to the Institute COPIES, not originals, of your qualification certificates. An up to date CV and details of two referees familiar with work carried out by you within the last two years, will assist your application. You will need to complete the application form which can be found here |
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| Q. |
Can I study book-keeping in a college? |
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Most colleges will have a book-keeping course of some description, so the best thing to do is make enquiries to colleges in your area. It is advisable that you take a copy of the Institute’s syllabus with you to see if the course is suitable. The syllabus is available from the website |
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| Q. |
How long will it take to complete a course? |
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The length of courses varies and your course provider will be able to advise you. If you are studying at a college, your course will normally take an academic year. If you are doing a home-study course you will be working at your own pace, so some may complete the course in 6 months and others over the course of several years. Rest assured that the Institute will be available to facilitate the successful completion of your qualification, whenever you are ready for the examination. |
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| Q. |
Do I need to be a Registered Student with the Institute to complete a book-keeping course? |
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You should register as a Student with the Institute upon commencing your course and your student registration will need to be valid when you come to complete one of the Institute’s examinations. You may find that if you undertake one of the Institute’s accredited courses, the course provider will automatically register you with the Institute for one year. Being a Registered Student of the Institute means that you will receive a Student card and be able to order past papers for revision, purchase Institute merchandise, subscribe to the free newsletter and attend free revision seminars in your area, where you can also meet fellow students. |
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| Q. |
Where will I sit my computerised examination? |
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If you are studying at a college or with a private training provider, you will normally sit your examination at their centre. If you are studying on a distance-learning course, your examination will normally be sent to your office or home. You will need an accounting software package on your computer. A spreadsheet package is not acceptable for the purpose of completing the examination. |
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| Q. |
Where will I sit my manual examination ? |
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If you are studying at a college or with a private training provider, you will normally sit your examination at their centre. If you are studying on a distance-learning course, the Level I paper will be sent to your home for completion. When you apply to sit the Institute’s manual Level II and III papers, you will be allocated to our nearest available examination centre in your area. You will be sent details and directions after the closing date for examination entries, which is the 20 th day of the month prior to the exam. |
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| Q. |
Will my disability stop me being able to complete an examination? |
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No. If you have a disability that you think may affect your ability to take the examination, please contact the Institute at least 2 months prior to the date of your examination. This will enable us to make special arrangements, such as preparing a large-print paper or allocating you to a centre with wheel-chair access. If you need additional time because you are dyslexic or have other difficulties that cause you problems when completing examinations, please also advise us at least two months prior to your examination to arrange this.
In certain circumstances, for example where a student is disabled and is unable to attend the examination centre, it may be possible to arrange a home invigilation. Please contact the Institute prior to entering the examination to discuss this in detail. |
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| Q. |
Can I sit an examination overseas? |
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Yes. We are always pleased to organise examinations outside of the UK and usually arrange them through the British Council. Please note that, in addition to the standard examination fee, you will also be required to cover any fee charged by your overseas examination centre. Please contact us at least two months prior to your examination to arrange this. |
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| Q. |
I am in the forces and don’t know where I will be stationed when I come to sit the exam |
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This is not normally a problem. Examination papers can be posted through the BFPO service, although we would obviously like as much notice as possible if you think that a posting is likely. |
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Can I sit my examination at home? |
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We are pleased to arrange for home-sittings in special circumstances. Please note that, in addition to the standard examination fee, you will also be required to cover the cost of your home invigilator who will be supplied by the Institute, including their travel expenses. Please contact us at least two months prior to your examination to arrange this. |
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What happens if I fail an examination? |
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If you do not meet the required standard, you will receive a fail notification and an application to resit the examination. You will be required to pay the standard examination fee for your next attempt. Any third attempt at a paper usually completed at home, must be completed in a centre. You will be given the opportunity to discuss your failed paper with a member of the Institute’s Technical Support Team. |
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| Q. |
What happens if I miss the deadline for the return of my home-sitting paper? |
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If you fail to return your paper by the deadline date, your paper will be voided and you will be required to undertake a new assignment, for which the standard examination fee will be payable. |
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| Q. |
After I qualify, will I become a member automatically? |
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No, because membership is optional. If you do wish to become a member, you will be required to complete the form enclosed with your certificate or contact the Institute by telephone to upgrade your membership. |
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| Q. |
After qualifying, do I need to upgrade my membership straight away? |
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No, but please note that the Institute will only accept you solely on the basis of your qualification if it was completed within the last two years, even if it is an Institute qualification. |
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| Q. |
If I become a member, do I need to pay the subscription fee every year? |
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Yes, you will be required to pay the annual subscription fee, on time, every year. We shall send you a reminder and a Membership Renewal Form for you to complete. If you do not pay your subscription fee, in full and on time, you will be required to cease membership and return your membership certificate and card. The qualification will still remain but you will loser entitlement to the designatory letters and all other benefits of membership. |
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| Q. |
If I am a self-employed member of the Institute do I need a Practising Certificate? |
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Yes. All Institute members who are self-employed are required to hold a valid Practising Certificate and certificate of Professional Indemnity Insurance. The Institute can recommend an insurance provider that offers members a significant discount. |
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| Q. |
Can I make payments to the Institute by Direct Debit? |
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Very shortly. A new scheme is currently being introduced. Information is available on the web site or by calling the Institute on 0845 060 2345 |
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| Q. |
Does the Institute have its own accounting software package? |
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No, but please contact us to discuss the different packages that are available and for contact details of Institute members who are software resellers and trainers. |
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| Q. |
Will I benefit from becoming a member of the Institute? |
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Yes! The free legal and technical advice is worth being a member for all by itself. But in addition to that you get professional letters after your name and professional recognition. You get invited to free seminars in your area where you can network with other members.
If you have already read our Benefits of Membership section, call us now on 0845 060 2345 to request a free copy of the Institute’s DVD which features members of the Institute explaining why being a member of the largest book-keeping institute in the world improves their lives as book-keepers. |
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