The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) has announced bold plans for new Level 5 qualifications launching in 2027.
And, with university partnerships, the new qualifications will create progression routes to a master’s degree.
At a special event to celebrate the start of ICB’s 30th anniversary year, CEO Ami Copeland also unveiled a new Approved Employer scheme, designed to develop bookkeeping talent within modern business.
Finally, ICB has launched an AI Academy for both bookkeepers and accountants. She stressed that AI will not be replacing professional bookkeepers. She said: “Instead, I believe AI will increase the value of the work bookkeepers do.”
Copeland explained: “The future of bookkeeping is about much more than processing transactions. It is about connecting finance, technology, operations and business growth. It is about helping clients understand what the numbers mean and using that insight to make better decisions.
“To support this shift, our new qualifications and learning pathways will place greater emphasis on commercial awareness, operational understanding, technology and advisory skills, helping bookkeepers develop the expertise needed for increasingly strategic roles.”
