I have completed my AAT qualification and have started studying ACCA via distance learning. I work in industry at a recruitment company as an assistant accountant (doing cash flows, VAT returns, margin reports, etc) but we have recently been put onto a 4 day week. I am looking at doing something to subsidise my income and was thinking of book-keeping. I am not interested at this stage in running my own business (but may head in this direction in the future) but I am looking to do aspects of bookkeeping for others.
I need some basic help as to how I get into this if possible. I do not know if I need to do a book-keeping qualification (as I am already AAT qualified) and if I do need to do one, which one is quickest and most effective for someone in my situation?
I have emailed a few local accountants who have said, as I do not have any specific book-keeping experience, they have nothing to offer me. But I just do not know what to do about getting into this.
Hi Nicola, I personally didnt go down the AAT route, but I'm sure if you give them a ring they will be able to advise you on what you can and cant offer as a service. If you are studying currently with the ACCA, I know that they are very strict in what students can and cant do. I believe with the ACCA you can only offer a basic bookkeeping service and under no circumstances can you advertise yourself as part qualified with the ACCA (I know this from experience!) Dont forget also the Money Laundering Regulations, practice licence and indemnity insurance.
I think you will find that,if you are registered as a student with ACCA you cannot do any extracurricular work. You can only work for your employer. ACCA apparently are very strict with this and can expel you if you don't follow the rules. As for the AAT, if you wish to use the letters after your name and want a practising licence, you have to show what parts of accounting you have experience in and they will only licence you for that part. If you decide to practice without a licence, which you can, then you cannot use the AAT letters or logo plus you daren't let the ACCA know what you are doing. Be careful in the route you choose but good luck in whatever you decide to do.
I don't think you can't offer bookkeeping services as an ACCA student, so long as you don't hold yourself as a full member, that should be fine. If you need to reconfirm, I believe you can check out from the ACCA website about the rules and regulations.
