IAB Membership
Unlock your potential with support and
guidance from the IAB
No matter where you are in your career, unleash your potential with the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers.
Whether you're launching a business, expanding your practice, or sharpening your skills as an employee, the IAB delivers the exact pathway you need to reach your goals.
As a leading global membership organisation and awarding body, we fuel the
ambitions of professionals accredited training, expert support, and
continuous professional growth.
By joining the IAB you unlock special privileges such access to our monthly CPD accredited coffee mornings, dedicated ambassador support groups, and a variety of member perks tailored to enhance your professional journey
IAB membership is your guide to navigating each phase of your business journey, from starting out to reaching new heights as a successful company. With expert support, essential benefits, and the latest industry insights at every level, you’ll have the leverage you need to elevate profits and take your business to the next peak.
£30,00
Starting a business has never been simpler, but making it work in today’s complicated and tech-first marketplace is a different matter with so many factors at play.
Confidence is often lacking at this stage, as most finance professionals have no real experience in running a business - whether it's marketing, HR or management. This lack of confidence usually results in undercharging for your services.
For those of you who are newly graduated accountancy or bookkeeping students, you may also be wondering where to take your career, which industry sector you may wish to work in and what further qualifications are available.
Fear not, as we are here at the start of your journey to provide you with all the direction you need!
£30,000 - £60,000
The next phase is running a successful practice, which we would define as working solo, while a successful business means you’re an employer.
A thriving practice means your books are full, billing 30-35 hours a week. Profit margins are much higher, but it’s still just you - essentially a well-paid job where you are the boss!
If you’re charging correctly, you should be earning around £60-70k, working from home with expenses kept under 10% of turnover. That’s £40 an hour for 35 hours a week, 48 weeks a year, hitting £70k—a great spot to be in!
Even if you don’t have any ambitions for growth, you still need to keep learning. That’s why we have a wide range of courses and resources available for you.
SME £60,000 - £100,000
At this stage, your schedule is likely to be packed. You’re probably working nights and weekends, with even more clients queuing up. The natural thought is, “I’ll hire someone, cut my hours and make more money.”
But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Many accountants and bookkeepers with teams of 3 or 4 often end up making less than they did solo. Worse, they’re working harder—managing their own clients, checking everyone else’s work, handling extra admin and juggling marketing to feed their growing team.
Without proper systems or pricing, this phase can be a total disaster. Many end up bouncing between phases Two and Three, which is expensive, exhausting and can be very bad for your mental health.
Professional practice £100,000+
A successful business should include you and at least three finance professionals. At this stage, you should be turning over between £150,000 and £500,000+, taking home anywhere from £70k to £175k.
Achieving this requires solid systems for work, marketing and recruitment. This is the key difference between a successful practice and a successful business.
Now you have an asset - something you can either grow into a significant income with less effort, or a business you can sell when the time comes.
Whether you want to know how to take your business to the next level or you are a finance professional looking for smart new ideas and qualifications, the IAB has a range of tailored offerings designed to meet you own career aspirations or ambitions.
£105
Level 2 qualifications or equivalent
£135
Level 3 qualifications or equivalent
£155
Level 4 qualifications or equivalent