Hello there, I hope that someone can help me as I am new to this forum and am in a dilema. I feel I need to give a little background so you can understand my situation.
I was made redundant last year whilst I was working as Accounts Manager in charge of $20million accounts and three staff, I have therefore dealt with all levels of accounts from the basics upwards. The job was extremely stressfull and the work/ home life balance was way out of sync, I was working approx 50 hours week and have a family of husband, two teenagers and a young dog.
I am qualified by experience only.
I am now ready to start my own business and thought bookkeeping was the way to go in order to achieve a better work/life balance.
I have extensive experience with Quickbooks and SAP, but none with SAGE. I feel that should be my first call, a course on Sage.
The problem is with knowing what course to study for the best, the ICB computerised Sage looks interesting but you have to pass levels 1 & 2 first, will this be time consuming?
A partner in the firm of accountants that we used to use feels that I should take the ATT course, Assoc of tax technicians as oppossed to any other. He thinks I should advertise myself as a Financial controller helping people sort out their accounts rather than a bookkeeper.
So, you can see my dilema. MY accountant friend obviously has more faith in me than I do myself, I feel I should start off small and build my way up. My questions are. 1 - Should I start off with a college basic sage course or do the ICB computerised Sage? 2 - Should I start as a bookkeeper and work up to a financial controller or start as a financial controller? Both seem very daunting to me at the moment! 3 - Should I take the ATT course and not do the ICB course? 4 - Would it be best to leave my temp job and study full time to gt the qualifications quicker? I have redundancy money that would allow me to do this.
Can any of you help with my dilema, I'm sorry its so long but as you can see I have many questions. I would be very greatful for any advice. Thank you
I would carry on with your temp job and set yourself up as self employed bookkeeper and run both along side each other - sort of test the waters ! From what you say of your experience, I think you would have no problems dealing with basic bookkeeping. I have only been asked twice about my qualifications. Although qualifcations are great, practical experience should not be overlooked.
As for getting some qualifications, well that seems to be a can of worms at the moment with regards to ICB and their relevance to bookkeeping / recognition !!
I am a member of ICB and practice under their name but I am also studying AAT as I can see that as I progress and get more into bookkeeping, I will need that extra knowledge which the AAT brings. I am also a self employed bookkeeper.
If your accountant friend has suggested aiming a little higher, then they must see you are capable, so take their advice on board.
Finally, although Sage is well recognised, in my experience so far only a couple of my clients use this and you could easily purchase direct from Sage or from Amazon their self study packs.
Julie, thank you so much for the advice. My original plan to study with the ICB has been slightly jaded by the recent thread. Its interesting what you say about hardly being asked about your qualifications, I thought this was a must.
I have also been recommended the 'Busines Accounts' book and Bookcert, both of these seem to have good ratings so I am thinking of trying that route to begin with.
I heard last night that I am on the shortlist of two for a local bookkeeping job and really hope that I get this, it is on Sage and I have limited knowledge of this as you know, I can only hope that the other person is limited in areas that I might be stronger at.
If I got this first job then I think I will have the confidence to forge ahead without the qualifications.
Can you offer any advice on hourly rates, I have heard all sorts ranging from £10-£15, what is an acceptable rate do you think, I live in Southampton.
Many thanks again Julie, all advice from a professional is greatfully received.
That old question of hourly rate crops up time and again !
I live up North so unsure what the rates are down South, perhaps your accountant friend could advise on the going rate ?
The `Business Accounts` book is very good and worth buying - Bookcert is a little on the expensive side, but again worth getting hold of a second hand copy if you can. I bought this and found the business / starting up advice excellent as I had no idea of where to start, so for me it was worth it.
Back to hourly rates, it all depends on your location and service you want to offer your clients. I started out charging £10 per hour - now Im up to £14 for new clients, but you will notice when your start advertising you need to keep it very competitive to attract customers and perhaps offer a sweetner such as an initial free period !
Interesting about the initial free period, I had not thought of that, what a good idea.
I think that £10 is fine as a start up, maybe I could increase when I am more confident.
I will definately get the Bookcert and the 'Business Accounts', from everyone's comments these both seem to be very helpful, I'll take it from there and if I get the £10 job then I'll review the qualifications after but at least I will have a foot in the door.
Its so scary starting out but the advice I have received from the forum has been wonderful, thank you so much.
