Advice on Software for ICB Level II Computerised - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

sarahneve · Member

Advice on Software for ICB Level II Computerised

Marky65 · Guru

Hi Sarah

I never knew that Sage gave away such things, but anyway, provided that it is the full version of instant accounts then I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work.

Good luck with your exams

Regards

Mark

littlebookkeeper · Senior Member

Hi Sarah,

I used sage instant for level II computerised and it was great for me, got me a distinction anyway. I don't know if there is any difference with the 90 day free trial tho, mine came as part of my training package and wasn't just a trial.

Good luck,

Carole

Suzie · Veteran Member

Hello Sarah

If you buy a course from a training school such as Ideal Schools the SAGE software comes with the course and with mine I can keep on using it and I use it for a client

Suzie

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Any of the three levels of SAGE self study workbooks come with free 180 day trial versions of SAGE Line 50.
If you keep an eye on Amazon you can normally pick up a new copy of one of them for around £45. Unless you get Sage level 1 offered at some ridiculously low price go for level's 2 or 3 as 1 is at a level considerably lower than you will be using for ICB level 2.
Of course, if you buy all three levels then I assume that providing you install them only as the last one runs out then you can get 540 days of sage line 50 plus full self study training for under £150... Bargain.
I'm pretty sure that you need version 10 or better to be compatible with the restore files that get sent by the ICB.
As an aside I would strongly recommend doing the ICB mock before taking the real thing. The exams are similar from one sitting to the next and you really get a feel for what they're looking for before taking the real thing.
Actually, on that last point, the answers to the mocks show details of reports in formats only available in Line 50, not in instant.
Good luck with the exams,

Shaun.

Neil · Senior Member

Another thread I'm glad I read.

I had decided I would self-tutor the computerised Level II and III after completing the manual levels. From the above, I think my most economical course of action would be to buy one of the Sage 50 self study courses and a 'Teach Yourself' book to cover the other levels.

Then, using the syllabus on the ICB website and a past paper or two I think I should be able to cover the material. I've read that there are Health & Safety and Data Protection topics in the syllabus and imagine information relating to these would be freely available on the Internet.

Have I missed anything?

Finally, is there any real benefit in becomig Sage certified?

Thanks

Neil

-- Edited by Neil on Thursday 4th of February 2010 08:16:16 AM

stephen72 · Senior Member

Hi,
It might be worth having a look at training link as they are reasonably priced and you get copy of sage 50 accounts with a 180 day trial and i found the tutor support to be very good but as with all thing like this it is best to spend time and shop around.

stephen

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Morning Neil,

if your going down the self study route for Sage then a great book for you would be the AAT Foundation bookkeeping with Sage. (the latestest version has dropped AAT from the title. ISBN is 0751746479). Best to go for a new copy of this one as you need the data files on the CD that comes with it do you wouldn't want for that to be missing.

As mentioned n my earlier post the Sage courses come with a full version of Sage line 50 on a time limited basis.

The book not to buy is Sage Line 50 in easy steps. The style of the book seems to confuse rather than aid understanding... But that's probably just me as I'm happier with traditionally structured texts than pretty coloured labels at seemingly random points on the page.

For health and safety there's the internet of course but if you want a more structured approach try AAT units 21, 22 and 23. The stuff is mostly common sense / nanny state type stuff and is aimed more at people straight from school who have never worked but just thought that I would tell you where the info for that side of things was. (coming from the background that you do I would imagine you probably know more about health and safety regs than the authors on that one!).

The website for health and safety is the health and safety executive site : http://www.hse.gov.uk/

The website for data protection is the governments information commission website : http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Talk later,

Shaun.

Neil · Senior Member

Stephen

Thank you very much for the recommendation. Unfortunately, I'm already £1700 out of pocket having signed up with Home Learning Centre. Oh, if I could have my choice of provider again...

For that reason, I'm determined to keep my costs to a minimum from here on. I could probably self tutor the two courses using a 180-day copy of Sage 50, a book and the resources mentioned for less than £100.

Cheers
Neil

Neil · Senior Member

Shaun

You must be psychic!

How did you know I was thinking of ordering the blotchy book? Disaster averted thanks to your advice. It appears that the BPP book might have some useful Excel tips too and I'm verifying at the moment that a second hand copy I've found has the CD included.

I've also bookmarked the HSE and ICO sites.

Thanks once again. You're a very handy man to know!

Cheers

Neil

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Neil,

No probs.

For Excel in accountancy the best place bar non is http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/item/18517

it's the start of the hands on Pivot table tutorial but also has links to the five minute excel tips. If you're using Excel 2007 your going to need to find alternate ways to do the exercises. But the good news is that everything is still in Excel 2007.... They've just hidden it better!

I think that non members can access the site but if you do have to become a member it's free.

The site is also the holy grail of information for accountants and bookkeepers... Just stay under the radar across there as it's not as friendly as this site and they rip the unwary to shreds!

Cheers,

Shaun.

Neil · Senior Member

Thanks for that link, Shaun. I do use Excel 2007 unfortunately (Office Enterprise 2007 is about £36 to a student, if you're interested) but I'll be able to work it out.

I've noticed a lot of links to accountingweb too and I'll bear your warning in mind when I get round to having a look.

Cheers
Neil