I currently hold a BA in Accounting but after being forced to quit my job as a trainee accountant for falling pregnant I have decided to try a home business of bookkeeping. With the degree am I worthwhile doing bookkeeping qualifications or should I do something like Bookcert and dive into the setting up of the business?
Any help on this matter would be hugely appreciated - going mad and only been jobless for 3 days!
I have not really seen the bookcert kit say cannot really comment on how good it is.
What I would say is that formal qualifications look good on your CV and a lot of clients would be impressed that you have a qualification. This can be a big selling point when attracting new clients.
In a worst case scenario if your business failed you'll still have a qualification to fall back on that many employers would value.
On a side note you cannot be forced to quit your job for falling pregnant (contratulations BTW). Without knowing the full facts it seems as though your employer may be breaking the law by doing this. if I were you i'd look into to taking some legal action, I have included a few links below that may be of assistnace to you:
Yea I have been on those sites a lot recently! Believe I have a case but can't put up the stress levels much more plus wouldn't be entitled to much anyway as was within my 3 month probation period - better off out and away from the place and start new, somewhere!
So you think that even though I don't have a bookkeeping qualification that I could still go ahead with a business? Have looked into the AAT which seems to be the equivalent of the first year of my degree, as does the bookkeeping quals. The Bookcert package is £250 so don't want to spend money I can't afford to lose!
You could do it yes, it really depends on what your experience is, it doesnt sound like you have an awful lot of practical experience but thats not to say you cant do it. You'd have to be disciplined with the clients you take on (i.e. small) whilst you train and build up some practical skill and confidence.
Maybe it would be worthwhile trying to get into another firm of accountants in a bookkeeping role to get some supervised experience first. It might not pay that well but it would be invaluable for the future.
AAT isa good qualification as is the institute of certified bookkeepers.
re your prior job, if you have a case i would say go for it, these days everything is stcked in the employees favour and you really have nothing to lose!
