I have justed started a distance learning course for Intermediate Bookkeeping which I am enjoying and getting to grips with quite well. This obviously gives me the full grounding and knowledge for handwritten accounts. My plan is to start my own bookkeeping business but I am not sure if I will need to have the relevant software and knowledge for computerised bookkeeping i.e. Sage, Quickbooks etc.. I assume that if I purchased the software myself, I would be able to put several clients seperate details in? I was also told that I need a qualifaction to start my own business but the posts on this forum indicate otherwise. Any guidance would be appreciated (so many questions - don't want to look to foolish!).
Hi Christine, welcome to The Book-keepers Forum! Learning the fundamentals of manual book-keeping is very important i.e. debits and credits etc. It is perfectly possible to run a book-keeping business manually using duplex cash books.
However, with the advent of computerised book-keeping software packages (which reduce the time it takes to do clients books), more and more book-keepers are opting to use them. Sage software is without doubt the most popular in the UK. It would be difficult to start using it straight out of the box without training. There are lots of Sage training courses around (some are on CD for home learning). To put more than one client on Sage you would need to purchase a multi-user license. Costs vary but I think a 30 company multi-user license would be around £1,000+VAT. Initially you may want to use excel spreadsheets to do clients books. This is very inexpensive and accountants like to receive books in this form. In the UK you do not need any qualifications to start and run a book-keeping business. You do obviously need to know what you are doing, and by completing a book-keeping course you will learn the mechanics of book-keeping. However, actually providing a book-keeping service to paying clients may not be covered in your course (issues like contracts, insurance what exact services are provived etc). Feel free to ask more questions on these at this forum as you progress (this is what the forum is here for!) Best wishes in your endeavors! Guy
I don't want to run before I can walk. I really do want to set up as a home-based business in the future and fully understand the need for a contract with clients and to have professional indemnity insurance. The truth is, once I have completed the course (and perhaps sat and exam to get an ICB qualification), I would not be sure where to start to build my own business. I think I will keep an eye on this forum to glean general information and ask more questions as I progress through my course. It is good to know I will get fast and friendly responses to my queries.
