I'm a new forum member who is in the process of starting up on an evening/weekend self employed basis. I've no formal qualifications but did study and pass the intermediate AAT level modules about 10 years ago but chickened out of the exams. I'm considering biting the bullet and doing my Insitute of Certified Bookkeeper exam though, mainly for the marketing benefit. Despite lack of paper qualifications I do have 17 years experience in both bookkeeping and payroll as well as other business regulatory issues like health & safety, employment law and HR.
Just wanted to say how useful the board has been so far in clueing me up on where to pitch my hourly rate, money laundering regs and getting professional indemnity insurance.
I've very nearly got my first client and just have to fork out for an up to date version of Sage Line 50/Accounts. I'd love to pay less for a package but Sterling/Line 50/Accounts is my home turf and I can will be more efficient on a familiar package.
Anyway - greetings to you and thanks for all the help so far. Hope I can help in return in due course.
Experience and practical knowledge is much more important than paper qualifications, and it sounds like you have more than enough experience to make a real success of your business. If you want to go for a book-keeping qualification then the ICB is a good one to go for. The support they offer to their members is also very good too.
Sage Line 50 is expensive but it is the most popular package in the market, so if you can, go for Sage over something cheaper.
I hope everything goes to plan, and have fun - it's great working for yourself!!
Personally I'd hold off on spending money on software - especially when you are still looking for your first client and have an older version of Sage anyway.
What version do you currently have?
It can also be useful getting experience in a few packages... before you know it almost any package will be easy to use and learning curves with software shouldn't be big if you understand the principles of bookkeeping. Then you can work with clients' software, or look at various solutions suited for the client.
Mind you, we use Sage mostly too - but that is because of what our clients use!
I'd love to pay less for a package but Sterling/Line 50/Accounts is my home turf and I can will be more efficient on a familiar package.
