Bookkeeper CPD Requirements: AAT, IAB and ICB Compared (2026)

If you work as a bookkeeper in the UK, the CPD you need depends on which professional body you belong to. Some set a firm number of hours, some recommend one, and some focus on planning and reflection instead. This guide compares the three main routes: AAT, the International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB) and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). It also explains what counts as CPD for bookkeeping work and how to keep records that stand up to a check. Rules can change, so confirm the current wording with your own body before you plan your year.

Why CPD matters for bookkeepers

Bookkeeping has changed a great deal. Cloud software, digital tax filing, payroll rules and anti-money-laundering obligations all move faster than a qualification can keep up with. CPD is how you show clients and your professional body that your knowledge keeps pace. Most bodies expect it as a condition of membership, and it is also a sensible way to protect your own practice.

The requirements at a glance

IAB: 30 hours a year with a verifiable core

The IAB says members must complete at least 30 hours of CPD in each 12-month period, which matches the certificated year. Points accrue at one per hour of learning. At least 10 of the 30 points must be verifiable, unless the IAB Compliance Department agrees otherwise.

The IAB gives examples of verifiable activity: accredited society meetings, HMRC courses, e-learning, research, academic study and training on new accounting or payroll software. Non-verifiable activity is broader learning that keeps you current, such as technical reading, research prompted by queries from your work, and technical discussions with colleagues. For records, the IAB says to keep them individually, upload them annually with your membership renewal application, and keep a portfolio of evidence such as receipts and certificates for possible Compliance visits.

ICB: a recommended 30 points

The CPD Standards Office directory entry for the ICB says the Institute recommends that members complete a minimum of 30 points of CPD per year. At least 15 of those should be structured activity, and unstructured activity can count for up to 15. The entry does not set out further rules, so contact the Institute if you need detail on recording or monitoring. For background on the ICB and IAB as bodies, see our guide to ICB and IAB bookkeeping qualifications.

AAT: principles-based, stricter for licensed members

AAT takes a principles-based approach for most members: you plan your learning, do it and reflect on what it changed. For members who hold an AAT licence to practise, the expectations are tighter, including annual anti-money-laundering training. We cover the detail in our guide to AAT CPD requirements, which also explains the reflective cycle and how to record it.

What counts as CPD for a bookkeeper?

In general, relevant learning that improves how you do your job counts. Good examples include:

• Training on the accounting or payroll software you use, especially when it changes.
• HMRC webinars and courses on the taxes and filings your clients rely on.
• Anti-money-laundering and data protection training.
• E-learning or short courses on VAT, payroll, year-end accounts or management reporting.
• Study towards a further qualification.

Reading, research prompted by a client question and discussions with colleagues can still count as non-verifiable learning, provided you note what you learned. Our explainer on verifiable and non-verifiable CPD helps you classify each activity.

A simple yearly plan

1. Set your target. Aim for at least 30 hours across the year so you meet the strictest of the three approaches.
2. Front-load the verifiable part. Book your courses and webinars early so you reach the verifiable or structured minimum without a rush in the final month.
3. Log as you go. Record the date, provider, duration and what you learned straight after each activity.
4. Keep evidence. Save certificates, booking confirmations and receipts in one folder.
5. Reflect. At year end, note what changed in your practice as a result of the learning.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common problem is leaving CPD until the end of the year and then being unable to show what you did. A second is counting activity that has no link to your work, such as general interest courses, as verifiable learning. A third is forgetting that a body may ask to see evidence. Treat your CPD record as a working document: update it every time you finish something, and review it each quarter so there are no surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need 30 hours if I am an AAT member?

Not as a fixed rule for most members. Licensed members in practice should expect higher standards, so check your licence conditions.

Can I belong to more than one body?

Yes, and some bookkeepers do. In that case, plan your CPD to satisfy the strictest requirement, and make sure your records meet each body's format.

Where can I go next in my bookkeeping career?

Our bookkeeper career guide sets out the common routes from bookkeeping into accountancy.