Im excited but also feel a bit daunted about starting as a book-keeper level 2).Im unsure about which ledgers to use as it says in the MLR files to keep a copy of all clients books. Im wondering if I should use looseleaf pages and a wire bound folder.
Im also unsure about tax. Im presuming the only tax I would have to deal with is input and ouput? Im also presuming that I only have to take the books to Trial Balance but could do a P+L and Balance Sheet if asked.
I was wondering if anyone in the Portsmouth area would check my work when I get my first client
Most clients these days have computerised books (hardly any want manual books).
Have you any bookkeeping experience (apart from qualifications), would say best way to get started is if you don't have any bookkeeping experience get a job in accounts position (would say that you get more experience from getting a trainee accounts position as they deal with all types of industries or if you got a job in a commercial company would need to be all round position (rather then a lot of companies have just purchase ledger, or just sales ledger jobs so you not gaining experience in it all)
It is getting tougher for all bookkeepers gaining new clients as so many people are becoming bookkeepers so the more experience you have will make it a little easier, also most importantly you need to be confident in your own abilities (ie needing to get someone to check your work for first client would show lack of confidence in yourself) would hinder getting new clients as they will be looking for someone with confidence as well as experience/qualifications. Confidence in peoples abilities in bookkeeping does come with experience as well as qualifications.
Good luck
Alison
-- Edited by Alison on Monday 4th of May 2009 08:35:17 PM
As Alison has mentioned,I would definately get some experience first before starting up on your own. It's all well and good passing exams but experience is a necesssity. I think if you are already unsure of what will be required of you when you get your clients then I think this is a non starter.
I hope you dont think I'm being negative, but you really do need background experience and definately confidence in yourself and the work you do for your clients to have confidence in you and your work too.
The problem for me as to gaining experience is that I already have a full time job as an Area Manager for a dry-cleaning company. If I left to work as a trainee bookkeeper I wouldnt be able to sustain the cut in pay. Thats why I wanted to work from home with a few clients to gain some experience.
I started learning bookkeeping because I do some admin work in the head office and as we use SAGE I suggested I learn to do it properly. although since I have spent a lot of time and money gaining the knowledge no one has mentioned me using SAGE and it has been taken off my computer! However, when I started learning bookkeeping I really enjoyed it and I seemed to have a knack for it. I then decide to use the skills I had acquired working from home.
Many thanks to you and Alison for replying and for your advice, it is appreciated.
I am in the same position as you with regards to getting a job working for a company as a bookkeeper. As Beverley said, experience really helps if you are setting up on your own, but I have a three year old and a ten month old and the whole point of me studying bookkeeping was to work from home so that I didnt have to put my kids in childcare. I think that yes, it would be easier to start working for yourself from home with confidence and experience, but that isn't always a choice you have. Just go for it, your confidence will grow as your client list does and if you don't make a lot of money straight away, at least you have a job to pay the bills.
I am in a similar situation. I have completed Level 2 & 3 IAB manual bookkeeping but only have limited practical experience, a few friends are letting me do their books on Sage and a family friend (who has many years experience) gives them the once over to help me learn 'on the job'. I must admit as my full time job isn't accounts related it can be difficult at times especially as I am not always entirely confident in my abilities but keep at it and we will get there!
Good luck
Chris
-- Edited by Newbie Chris on Monday 20th of July 2009 06:14:24 PM
