The IAB (Qualifications for business) is working with us to provide specialist book-keeping, computerised book-keeping, payroll and computerised payroll qualifications to support the BAF (Business, Administration and Finance) Diploma. Students choosing to participate in this specialist learning area will find a wide range of career opportunities which include becoming a registered book-keeper or a payroll professional or to select further training to become an accountant.

In Diploma lines of learning other than the BAF, the IAB is able to offer specialist learning in areas of business enterprise and personal finance. The Business Enterprise qualification is designed to give students an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills associated with starting a business and the Personal Finance qualification will develop skills associated with day-to-day personal financial management.
 
The IAB offers a number of specialist learning qualifications to complement the Edexcel BAF Diploma.

Book-keeping and Accounting qualifications

For students wishing to expand their knowledge of double-entry book-keeping up to trial balance there is a Level 2 book-keeping qualification, and for those wanting to understand the preparation of financial statements there is a Level 3 Diploma. The qualifications are:

• Level 2 Certificate in Book-keeping
• Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and advanced Book-keeping

Computerised Book-keeping and Accounting qualifications

The IAB offers a range of computerised book-keeping and accounting qualifications from Level 1 through to Level 3. The basic level is concerned with simple computerised book-keeping routines and the Level 2 is about the processing of day-to-day transactions up to trial balance. The Level 3 Diploma looks at more advanced business transactions and the preparation of computerised period end reports. The following qualifications are available:

• Level 1 Certificate in Computerised Book-keeping
• Level 2 Certificate in Computerised Book-keeping
• Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Accounting

Payroll and Computerised Payroll

The IAB also offers a range of payroll and computerised payroll specialist learning qualifications. The payroll qualifications start at Level 1 and concentrate on fundamental principles relating to the basic calculations and preparation of a weekly or monthly payroll. This is using manual routines but with the aid of the HMRC ‘Calculators’ as provided on the HMRC CD-rom. In addition to this, the Level 2 accredits some book-keeping skills of candidates in performing the routine tasks of calculating the cost of wages to the employer. The Level 3 expands candidates’ knowledge of income tax and national insurance and includes calculations for directors. The IAB is also able to offer computerised payroll at Levels 2 and 3 which involve the use of commercially available payroll software. The following payroll qualifications are available:

• Level 1 Certificate in Payroll
• Level 2 Certificate in Payroll
• Level 3 Diploma in Payroll
• Level 2 Certificate in Computerised Payroll
• Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Payroll

Small Business Financial Management

This is a Level 3 specialist learning qualification which concentrates on the fundamentals of financial management relating to the small enterprise. It includes keeping records, VAT, payroll, the preparation of final accounts, taxation, costing, the management of working capital and financial planning and control. This qualification is:

• Level 3 Diploma in Small Business Financial Management

The IAB offers two specialist learning qualifications to complement additional lines of Edexcel Diploma qualifications (that is, those other than the BAF).

The Business Enterprise qualification is designed to give students an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills associated with starting a business, and the Personal Finance qualification will develop skills associated with day-to-day personal financial management. These qualifications are:

• Level 2 Certificate in Business Enterprise (QCF)
• Level 2 Diploma in Personal Finance.

Specifications and more information on any of the above qualifications can be found within the ‘Qualifications 2008/9’ section of the IAB website.