Evening all, just signed up to this forum as it looks like this is the place I'll be visiting the most for any accounting / bookkeeping queries.
Just a question, I'm looking to get into the world of bookkeeping, but am a little confused as to which route to take. I'm 27 now and my current job is proper dead end. I feel I'd be good with bookkeeping work as I enjoy working with numbers, and don't mind boring, repetitive work unlike others! (sounds a bit like a cover letter so far)
I've looked at loads of possibilities...including AAT ABC Bookkeeping course, ICB and IAB (I'm ignoring ACCA et al for the time being, I'll worry about this when the time comes). I'm hoping to get an accounts/bookkeeping job (don't care how small, just need my foot in the door!) and/or start my own bookkeeping business, either of these within 12-18 months...
My budget is kinda low at the moment and doesn't look like it'll be rapidly increasig anytime soon, so was wondering about this route...
AAT ABC Bookkeeping (through Premier Training) then Take ICB Levels I & II exams (JUST the exams + textbooks, not spend all the money on the courses) then Take ICB Level II computerised + III courses through Premier Training
I've researched this route and it seems to be good value for money, would get me started on an AAT Intermediate if I wanted to, and I'd also be able to get Level IV with ICB if I wanted to. Would this look good to employers also?
Sorry this is long winded, but any comments whether this is the right route for me or not would be most welcome. Cheers!
Premier training are pretty good and very reasonably priced so good call there.
Whilst ICB is a sound qualification, if you looking down the employment rather than self emplyment route then AAT would be the way to go as it is generally accepted that is the one currently most recognised by employers.
The AAT ABC bookkeeping is an excellent introduction and is basically the same course as the Open University B190 Introduction to bookkeeping. You might want to check which of those gives you the better exemptions.
If you just want to see whether bookkeeping is for you before investing heavily in it try Mastering Accounting Skills by Margaret Nicholson (Palgrave master class, ISBN 978-1403992703).
Personally I've never found anything about this business boring or repetitive but maybe I've just been lucky with the work that's come my way.
Without experience getting your foot in the door can be incredibly difficult no matter how many qualifications that you have. Keep at it though, put yourself forwards for low level temp as well as permie trainee positions and don't write off Credit Control work as that has an awful lot of relevant work attatched to it espechially when chasing down whether clients really do owe what they're being chased for.
Good luck with the career change,
All the best,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I would agree with Shaun. ICB is good if you wish to become self employed, but employers don't seem to recognise it, although FE colleges are starting to so it may only be a matter of time.
I do think that anything that shows employers you've got up off your a$%e and done something can't hurt though.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
I have already read 'Accounting Simplified' by...I forget the author. But I have done a bit of reading on the subject and it looks like a fulfilling topic.
It looks like I'll start off with the AAT Bookkeeping course. Then do the ICB I and II exams just in case I feel like progressing with them. I also forgot about this training development product called Bookcert which prepares for people starting their own businesses. Anyone else got any info if it's a con or not?
As for employment, you're absolutely right Shaun, a bog standard purchase ledger or accounts clerk position is ideally what I'm hoping to start off with, just to build experience. I don't mind how long it takes me to get higher, I'll feel at ease with the fact that I've actually got started earning a living for my troubles!
Also yeah Kris, alot of people I know personally have said the same thing regarding evidence to employers I'm willing to learn in my own time and on my own wallet, as I ceetainly need to boost my CV a bit.
Thanks again people, I'll check back with more enquiries in the near future no doubt!
Mark
PS. About accounting/bookkeeping being boring and mundane - don't shoot the messenger haha! I'm really looking forward to this now.
Actually on the don't shoot the messenger line I'm more in the send back a corpse and they'll know your serious camp.
signing off now to go and read all about what adjustment figures to use in the calculation for Economic Value Added (fun, fun, fun! (not)) have a good night mark and talk soon,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Just a little note here, you don't need to do the AAT ABC you can go straight onto the ICB Level 1 Basic Bookkeeping if you like.
Both pretty much the same, as if you have the ICB Level 1 I have been told you get exemption from the AAT ABC if you decide to go down AAT route later.
Thanks for the input James, but I've decided to jump in, and five minutes ago just ordered the AAT Bookkeeping course through Premier Training. Hope this is worth it! May go through with ICB at later date though.
