Bookkeeping qualifications and who awards them

The National Careers Service names three professional bodies for bookkeepers. GOV.UK lists all three as anti-money laundering supervisory authorities, so each can also supervise members who work for themselves.

AAT's Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping has two units, Introduction to Bookkeeping and Principles of Bookkeeping Controls, each assessed by a computer-based assessment of 1 hour 30 minutes. AAT sets no entry requirements and says the qualification usually takes around three months. Its specification says bookkeeping qualifications can lead to associate bookkeeping membership, with the letters AATQB, and that the qualification can lead to further study in bookkeeping or accountancy.

IAB describes itself as both an awarding and a professional body, with qualifications regulated by Ofqual. ICB is a professional body for bookkeepers; its website says you can use existing qualifications and experience to join, or take its exams. Both run their own membership grades, so if a job advert names one of them, take the qualification that body awards.

Professional bodies run their own membership grades. AAT's specification says its bookkeeping qualifications can lead to associate bookkeeping membership, with the letters AATQB, and ICB says you can join using existing qualifications and experience or by taking its exams. If a job advert names a body, take the qualification that body awards.

The Level 2 Bookkeeping Course is a Lift College certificate course. Lift College wrote it, teaches it, marks every assignment and issues your certificate of achievement, which carries a unique number an employer can verify on the Lift College website. It is not a regulated qualification and has no qualification number on the Ofqual register. Lift College does not teach AAT or ICB qualifications.

What it gives you is the method and the evidence: six tutor-marked assignments and a synoptic assignment in which you keep a small business's books for a full month. Each employer decides what a post needs. If a post, a funded place or an apprenticeship names a specific regulated qualification, check that before you enrol.

• Find the qualification number, in the format 600/0000/0, on the provider's page.
• Search for that number on the Ofqual register to see the awarding organisation, level and status.
• If there is no number, the course is not a regulated qualification. It may still teach the skills; check who issues the certificate.
• Check whether the job or course you are aiming for names a particular body.

The Choose your pathway tab on this hub sets out who each route suits, and our guide to AAT Level 2 bookkeeping against a Level 2 bookkeeping certificate course compares the costs.