Build a bookkeeping career that counts
Bookkeeping skills are the bedrock of micro businesses today. Without doubt, they:
-
Enhance job prospects
-
Help business owners thrive
-
Open doors to new opportunities
Whether you are a start-up, need a career change or want to study for your future, the IAB bookkeeping authority offers the ‘best for business’ choice and a selection of bookkeeping courses to help you train to be a bookkeeper. The International Association of Book-keepers (IAB) is the leading awarding and supervisory body for professional bookkeepers in the UK. Celebrating 40 years of empowering people across the globe, it’s a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the professional status of bookkeepers. Respected worldwide, the IAB:
-
Offers extensive financial IAB qualifications - accredited by Ofqual
-
Supports thousands of members helping them to reach new bookkeeping career heights
-
Has paved the way for new bookkeeping apprenticeships and mentoring initiatives
To find out more about bookkeeping courses, bookkeeping and payroll qualifications and how you can train to be a bookkeeper, get in touch here.
What is the IAB?
The IAB ... the professional choice
With over 10,000 members across 60 countries, the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB) is one of the most prestigious not-for-profit organisations for professional bookkeepers in the world. Regulated by Ofqual, the IAB is both a government-approved and statutory supervisory body. Setting world-class standards, it offers students worldwide the chance to gain the very best financial qualifications – as well as lifelong skills.
Decades of best practice
Founded in 1973, the IAB initially rose to fame as an examining association. Today, celebrating over 40 years of success, it not only offers a host of accredited bookkeeping and business qualifications, it supports and regulates professionals on their career path. With membership attracting students, business owners and accounting professionals alike, the IAB’s sights are on the future - helping members maintain their skills and respected status.
Setting standards
At the forefront of benchmarking, the IAB works with government as well as standard setting bodies to promote the professional integrity of bookkeepers. Under the UK Money Laundering Regulations 2007, the IAB is a statutory supervisor - ensuring members in practice comply with the law. Alongside this, it also plays a key role in developing national qualifications too. Working with the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), it established practical bookkeeping units. Plus, together with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals, it helped pioneer Payroll qualifications.
Promoting new opportunities
Young people and start-up businesses need a helping hand – the chance to gain skills and move ahead. The IAB supports many initiatives to make this happen. It collaborated with the Financial and Legal Skills Partnership to pave the way for new bookkeeping and payroll qualifications and apprenticeships.
As a key partner in the ‘Get Mentoring’ scheme - led by the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative - thousands of mentors were trained to help new businesses grow. Small businesses can easily find a bookkeeper through the service provided on the site with listings of qualified bookkeepers across the UK, Europe and Internationally. To keep pace with the latest IAB initiatives, read our News page. Further information about the IAB can be found by viewing the brochures which can be downloadedhere.
By being a Member of the Professional Associations Research Network, our professional body is:
-
Committed to good practice
-
Kept up to date on current research
-
Part of a network of professional bodies that learn from and share with each other
Friends of the IAB
It doesn’t stop there. Small business owners benefit from long-term support and advice. That’s why the IAB backs a fantastic community of micro businesses - Enterprise Rockers. Launched in January 2012 by Tina Boden and Tony Robinson OBE, Enterprise Rockers is all about supporting micro business owners who are already trading - even if they have only been trading 24 hours. Founders, Head Roadies, Band Leaders and members of Enterprise Rockers are focused on life beyond the start up stage and want to ensure micro business owners have the support they need to keep going. This independent ‘free-to-join’ network is where a band of business owners pool ideas, support and promote each other, and simply make life better for small enterprises across the world.
Become a Member
Professional Membership to grow your career
Employers today only recruit staff with proven talent. Fact. That’s why it’s crucial to set yourself apart. Ask yourself this. Wouldn’t you rather:
-
Enjoy the recognition you’ve worked so hard for?
-
Promote your business credentials the easy way?
-
Access exclusive benefits to build your future?
Now you can. In fact, the moment you join the IAB as a full member, you open the door to opportunities enjoyed by over 10,000 members worldwide. That’s not all...
Unbeatable benefits
Whether you specialise in accounting, bookkeeping or payroll, could this be the day you take your career to the next level? The day you access better job prospects ... higher income ... expert career support?
Join today, you’ll be entitled to:
-
Unlimited career and technical advice
-
Money-saving discounts and privileges
-
Professional development to expand your skills
And because you are endorsed by one of the most professional awarding bodies in the UK, you can enjoy the prestige of recognised letters after your name.
Why not explore the diverse routes to membership here, as well as the full list of special benefitshere? It couldn’t be easier to join the IAB too. Just register your interest here, and we’ll be in touch.
Get Qualified
Bookkeeping & Payroll Qualifications for the Future
It’s not easy deciding on a career path with so much uncertainty in the market place. One thing is for sure: with IAB qualifications on your CV, you can offer financial expertise to countless businesses crying out for your skills.
As a savvy professional looking forward to the future in payroll and bookkeeping, you understand how crucial it is to be trained - to outshine the competition, and compete with the best. IAB bookkeeping and payroll qualifications give you all this and more...
Why make the IAB your first choice?
-
As a professional body for bookkeepers, and an awarding body regulated by government, you can depend on the IAB’s authority whether you’re in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
-
Because IAB qualifications are accredited, your professional competence will always be recognised...
-
If you’re an international student, you can study bookkeeping courses and exams across the globe. Check our world map of training centres...
By professionals for professionals
All of our bookkeeping and payroll courses give you a foundation of skills micro and small businesses demand: practical knowledge and know-how.
Why are our qualifications so popular? Simple. Courses are devised by an expert team of education specialists, IAB members, employers and professional organisations. The result? Comprehensive, relevant training so you can hit the ground running.
Your learning doesn’t stop there. Join as a full member to build a future you can really count on. Discover how to grow your career here.
Why should I study with the IAB?
What are the different ways to study?
What are the benefits of being a student member of the IAB?
What’s the difference between student membership and professional membership?
Find a Bookkeeper
Accounts in chaos? Find a Bookkeeper here...
Don’t waste time trawling online trying to find a reliable bookkeeper to run your accounts - find the best bookkeepers in the business right here. Every IAB member listed below is qualified, professional, regulated – with all the skills you need!
Search by location, specific services such as wages and business tax, or by name. Once you’ve found who you are looking for, simply contact the bookkeeper directly to find out how they can help. Try it – though you’ll be spoilt for choice!
If you have any questions relating to our professional members and the services they offer please view the Frequently Asked Questions below:
Are they a member of a professional body?
All individuals listed on the Find a Bookkeeper page are professional members with the IAB. This means they will be supervised under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and will be qualified and experienced in the work they do. Membership with the IAB is a sign of professional excellence and a sign to employers and businesses that the individual is a professional at the top of their field.
Are they qualified and are these qualifications recognised?
In order to gain membership with the IAB applicants do need to have an IAB level 2 qualification or higher. We also have an exemption database system which allows individuals who have gained an equivalent qualification with another awarding body to enter into membership. A number of awarding bodies on the system do have recognised qualifications and the IAB offers extensive financial qualifications - accredited by Ofqual, which is the non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
Are they up to date with the latest information and legislation to assist their clients?
As members of the IAB they receive regular technical updates and access to a range of resources to assist them with various legislation and changes taking place. They also have the opportunity to attend a number of seminars and training sessions throughout the year which often have speakers from HMRC, The Pensions Regulator and many more.
What experience do they have?
To find out more about the experience and services which IAB members are able to offer please scroll down to view the individual profiles.
How much can I expect to pay for the services of one of your bookkeepers?
We are unable to provide an exact answer regarding this as prices do vary depending on the type of work which you require to be carried out and also the region in which you work. We usually suggest you try contacting several bookkeepers in your area to see how much they charge.
International-
The IAB ... a truly international association
Since its launch in 1973, the IAB has grown into one of the most prestigious bookkeeping organisations in the world. Boasting thousands of members across 60 countries, its impact is wide-reaching.
With accredited centres in all corners of the globe, the IAB is helping more people than ever to gain financial business skills – and build a secure future. How else does the IAB make its mark? IAB qualifications:
-
Develop economies and new markets
-
Empower individuals and improve job prospects
-
Boost micro businesses and SMEs
As an awarding body offering its own Ofqual* accredited qualifications, its scope outshines other professional organisations. No wonder the IAB is a respected global association.
Its bookkeeping and accounting courses are internationally renowned - each designed to offer learners a comprehensive grounding in real-world skills.
Choice and opportunity
No matter where you are in the world, IAB qualifications open up fantastic new opportunities:
-
Level 3 and 4 qualifications unlock the potential for international business
-
Exam exemptions offer the chance to study in UK universities
-
Part-time and distance learning provide flexible study options
-
Professional status and membership enhance careers