Currently I have a level 1 certificate in Basic Bookkeeping and I am awaiting June 10th to take my level 2 in Manual Bookkeeping. I have just started studying towards my level 1 and 2 in Computerised Bookkeeping (all through ICB) and am learning to use Sage Instant Accounts. I have been advertising for a week as of tomorrow (no calls as yet but not giving up hope ) but because this is a whole new career change for me, I am a little nervous and worried about taking on my first client.
My main concern is that my manual bookkeeping studying through the ICB has given me the practical knowledge that I need to complete books up to trial balance but I am struggling as to how to convert my studying knowledge into "the real world" where I will be working for sole traders or small businesses (hope that makes sense).
I have purchased Bookcert Pro and found it extremely useful but my main issue at the moment is that although I have used the Cash Book software supplied with Bookcert and found it easy to use and quick, is this enough of a record to keep?
I don't know if you has seen it but basically, it is based on an excel spreadsheet - you enter the money out and money in, reconcile the bank account every reporting period and print of an Income & Expenditure Report. If I use this and my client gives it to their accountant at the end of the year, will this be enough or do I also need to be keeping sales and purchases ledgers, assett account etc.
I do have Sage Instant Accounts and it is a great package but I think that for the sole traders and small businesses that I am aiming to work for, it is a little too much, I need something simpler and quicker to use.
I am afraid that if I take on a client and do their books for a year using only the Bookcert Pro Cashbook, the client will then take their 12 or 4 (depending on the reporting period) and their files containing recepits, invoices, statements etc and the accountant will need to do a lot of work for them to finalise their end of year accounts and VAT returns.
Has anyone else used the Bookcert Cash Book or Sage Instant Accounts with their clients.
Does this make sense? Sorry that it was so long. Any thoughts at all are greatly appreciated
I use both Bookcert Cash Book and Sage for my clients. I tend to use Sage for Limited Companies because they tend to need more complex analysis of their accounts on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis.
The Cash Book is perfect for sole traders who are essentially `one man bands` such as electricians, plumbers who mainly work from home and really only need a straightforward system of accounting.
All I can say is that whatever system you use will depend upon what the clients want, or is using currently. I have used Sage for many years but have found the Cash Book system perfect for very small sole traders / companies mainly because they prefer its simplicity. As for Sage, I would say the larger the company the more likely they will require the detailed analysis that Sage can offer.
The prospect of gaining your first client is both scary and exciting, as long as you are clear and confident in what you know in terms of bookkeeping, then you should have no problems. You know your stuff, you just need to put it into practice. Believe me, when you do acquire your first, then second, then third, you will see that no company no matter what size does not always run in a text book style and that is part of the attraction of being self employed !
Thank you for the reply Julie. It is SO daunting waiting for that first client to make contact but I am sure that I will cope. I have heard that a lot of bookkeepers get their work by word of mouth so I am hoping that once I get a couple of clients - they may refer me on for more work.
