Bookkeeping Course by Distance Learning ICB Level 1 and 2

ICB Level 1 and 2 Bookkeeping Course

Student Comment

"Just found out I received 99% Distinction for the Level 2 Manual Bookkeeping exam after studying the UK Open Learning course. So happy! Thanks to my tutor for all his help".  Alex in Swindon

Who is this course intended for?

UK Open Learning courses are specifically designed in a format that allows you to study at your own pace, in your own time, wherever you wish. This course is suitable if you wish to develop bookkeeping skills for your business, your job or keep track of finances. Essential Bookkeeping prepares you for a number of nationally recognised qualifications and is also the perfect starting point for a career in accounting.

This Course Helps you

Do I need any experience or qualifications to take this course?

No prior knowledge is necessary to study this course, although an interest in figures and financial transactions will be an advantage.

What will I gain from this course?

Essential Bookkeeping is the starting point to help you develop a good level of basic bookkeeping skills. The course leads to a choice of nationally recognised qualifications and introduces all the central principles of bookkeeping, whether it's to help with running your business, to develop new skills for your job or just to help you stay on top of your finances.

What can I expect from this course?

Taking a UK Open Learning course means there are a number of people to help you. You will be assigned a personal tutor, an experienced accountant, who will provide regular feedback by marking your assignments. You can contact your tutor by email, as well as by post.

Your course materials will contain:

• an Introduction to your personal tutor who will be assisting you in your learning
• a study guide that will help you to begin your studies
• an introduction to the course and subject of book-keeping
• a total of 13 self-contained study modules that are structured to help you learn
• a set of assignments with advice on how and when to complete them

How long will the course take?

To complete this course it will take in the region of 90 study hours which can be spread over a 12 month period to suit the student and you can work as fast or as slow as you like.

What topics are covered by this course?

Level 1 Book Keeping

Unit 1 – An introduction to record keeping

• The importance of keeping accurate financial records
• The layout of a bank account and its entries
• Balancing the account

Unit 2 – Further bank account transactions

• Types of income and expenditure
• The analysed bank account

Unit 3 – Double Entry Book Keeping – Cash Transactions

• Basic double entry accounts for bank transactions
• Further account balancing
• The trial balance
• The cash account
• The capital account
• Accounting for payroll transactions

Unit 4 – Double Entry Book Keeping - Credit Transactions

• Credit transactions
• Developing accounts for customers and suppliers
• Splitting the Ledger
• Entering credit transactions into the accounts

Unit 5 – The Calculation of VAT and the development of business documents

• The  concept of VAT and VAT registered businesses
• Calculating VAT
• The production of business documents containing VAT
• Dealing with trade and cash discounts

Unit 6 – The posting of VAT Transactions to the Ledgers

• The posting of cash and credit items to the ledger for a VAT registered business
• VAT Input and  VAT Output accounts
• The single Vat Account
• How to calculate  VAT exclusive and VAT inclusive amounts

Unit 7 – Day Books

• Explanation of day books
• Making entries into the various books
• Posting day book entries to the relevant accounts in the correct ledger

Level 2 Book Keeping

Unit 1 – Cash Books

• Two column cash books
• Revision of cash discount
• Three column cash book
• The Petty Cash Book

Unit 2 – Correction of errors

• Types of errors
• Correcting the ledgers
• The suspense account

Unit 3 – Reconciling the accounts

• Bank reconciliation
• Control Accounts – reconciling customer and supplier balances
• The VAT Return

Unit 4 – Introduction to Final Accounts of a Sole Trader

• The nature of profit
• Calculating gross and net profit
• The Trading, Profit and Loss Account
• The Balance Sheet

Unit 5 – Adjustments to Final Accounts

• Accruals and prepayments
• Depreciation
• Bad debts and the Provision for Bad Debts
• Further corrections and adjustments to profits

Unit 6 – End of Year Ledger Entries

• Closing of the ledger accounts at the year end

Will I need any additional materials?

No other books are necessary for this course. However, if you require further reading, Frank Wood's and Alan Sangster's Business Accounting 2 (ninth edition) published by Pitman will prepare you for the examinations listed below and is also suitable for use with our Advanced Book-Keeping course. Therefore, if you wish to progress to a further stage, you will not have to buy another textbook.

What is the course specification?

This course will prepare you for a number of examinations, including:

ICB Certificates in Basic Bookkeeping (level 1) and Manual Bookkeeping (level 2)