Advice please - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

betty121 · Senior Member

Advice please

BobHarper · Guru

When you are ready give us a call and you can speak to our Scottish office. They are acting as the master franchise for that area.

betty121 · Senior Member

Hi Bob,

I was interested in a franchise and I contacted quite a few including yourselves. I got a reply back saying your were re-modelling the franchise. I will check it out again next year.

Elizabeth

Stuartbham · Senior Member

Hi Elizabeth

I'm based in Birmingham not Scotland, but business is going well. It's been a tough 18 months but the demand is still there. In my experience the market has got more cost competitive, so I've had to be flexible about my fees. Still earning enough to keep the wolves at bay - which is good as I'm a blues fan! smile

If you're looking at franchises I've heard good things about The Local Bookkeeper and Boogles. If I was starting out again I'd be tempted by a franchise, if nothing else but for the marketing support which I was dire at initially.

Stuart

betty121 · Senior Member

Thanks Stuart.

Glad things are going well for you, it's very encouraging to hear when your thinking of starting out. Yes it was for the marketing support I would be tempted by a franchise. I have heard of local bookkeeper, mazuma and cheapaccounting.

Anyone any direct experience of any of the above?

Elizabeth

JohnBoy · Veteran Member

Morning Elizabeth

I've come across cheapaccounting on UK Business Forums and they seem to have a good business model. They actually won an award from accountingweb if my memory serves me right.

They act as accountants not book keepers, and you need to be a qualified accountant to become a franchisee. I'm not sure if AAT qualified would be classed as a qualified accountant, but the business model seems a good one.

John

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

Hi - Yes AAT is fine for CheapAccounting as long as you have a Practice Certificate.

josnan33 · Newbie

hi ,
friends i am new one
here.so paease expect
my hello.................

thanks

BobHarper · Guru

@Elizabeth - make sure we have your email so I can email you when we release pilots based on the new strategy. We will only release one a month to test the new delivery systems.

@Stuart - we have a proposition for existing bookkeepers around because about to obtain better clients, higher prices and a more profitable and sustainable business.

@Betty & John - we have decided that cheap is not the right strategy for us but we agree that being able to offer accounts and tax should be part of the proposition. This is why are developing a central accounts/tax centre for bookkeepers to hook into.

betty121 · Senior Member

Hi Bob,

I've had a couple of emails from you recently so you should still have my address. Is AAT ABC bookkeeping course still minimum entry level? What about when I've finished level 2 AAT would that be ok?

Hi Elaine,

Do you need a practise certificate for your mentoring programme?

Thanks for all the replies everyone much appreciated.

Elizabeth

BobHarper · Guru

@Elizabeth - if you do not hear from us by the end of March 2011 can you call me and I will update you.

Yes, AAT ABC is the minimum entry level but we encourage franchisees to keep going. Specifically, consider the ATT to build tax knowledge, ongoing personal development as well as taking on the business consulting development from us.

Why so much learning? It is not compulsory but we believe you make a living from what you do and a profit from what you know.

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

Hi

You can start the mentoring prog without but you do need a PC to Practice as an AAT.

Happy to have a chat about options if you want to give me a call.

Have you applied for a PC?

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

JohnBoy wrote:

Morning Elizabeth

I've come across cheapaccounting on UK Business Forums and they seem to have a good business model. They actually won an award from accountingweb if my memory serves me right.

They act as accountants not book keepers, and you need to be a qualified accountant to become a franchisee. I'm not sure if AAT qualified would be classed as a qualified accountant, but the business model seems a good one.

John

Thanks John - yes clients love it. At the end of the day that is who we 'sell' to so it works well for our target market.

We say qualifieds only as this ensures that they have a PC plus PII set out by their professional body. Again this is for the protection of the client.

Yes a QBE could have this as well and if someone can suggest a good way of ensuring it amongst QBEs then I am more than happy to listen.

You will see a theme in my posts clients!!

betty121 · Senior Member

Hi Bob,

That's great I will keep in contact.

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the info. I am still studying at the moment so will be a while before I qualify with AAT. Would like to set up on my own/franchise as a bookkeeper in the next year or so. Primarily for the work experience whilst still studying. I have a full time job with a large local authority (no accounts work) at the moment. So need bookkeeping work experience. When I am AAT qualified will start ATT. I would like to specialise in tax.

Elizabeth

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

Good luck with it. Sounds like a good route to me - with over 1,000 new limited companies being set up every day I don't think you would be short of work.

In the next couple of months I am setting up a bookkeeping and payroll 'club' for us at CheapAccounting - the client work in these areas is increasing and the qualified accountants need good people on board to support them with it.

It may be of interest to you.

ADAS · Guru

cheapaccounting wrote:

... the client work in these areas is increasing and the qualified accountants need good people on board to support them with it.

I wish all Accountants recognised this. it's a great point.

Not all Accountants acknowledge the difference between a bookkeeper and a data input clerk who uses accounting software.

-- Edited by ADAS on Wednesday 26th of January 2011 10:33:58 PM

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

Tony - we want to use people who know what they are doing or would ask us if they didn't. At the end of the day - I feel it is the best route for the client.

betty121 · Senior Member

Hi Elaine,

yes a bookkeeping club could be just what I am looking for. Let me know all the detaile once they are finalised.

Thanks
Elizabeth

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

will do!

Marky65 · Guru

Hi Elaine

Would you mind contacting me as well with details of the bookkeeping and payroll 'club' as they become available

Thanks

Mark

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

will do Mark

Julies bookkeeping · Veteran Member

Can you also contact me as well Elaine.

thank you

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

of course - I had better get my stakes on for this one then

ICBUK · Guru

Hi Elaine,

What would your club provide, and how much?

You might be interested in the accountants 'club' that the ICB are considering. The ICB has received many comunications from accountants wanting to do something.

Your statement "accountants need good people on board to support them" hit the nail on the head and is why accountants are after ICB members.

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

Working on details but it would be for my business only

For me - sorry to say but I would be loathed to fork out more professional body fees. The ICAEW costs me enough.

smile

ADAS · Guru

That's really good news James. I wonder if Accountants search the online database? Do the ICB refer Accountants to local members?

Elaine, can you also me to the list of interested parties please.

cheapaccounting · Veteran Member

Noted Tony - thanks

Theaccountinggroup · Newbie

Hi look at our site you need to be qualified also with a practice cert.

Http://www.accountinggroup.co.uk
Http://www.accountinggroup-franchise.co.uk

Regards
David Pollard

JayneF · Newbie

Hi
I am studying AAT Level 3 at the moment and I would like to be able to gain some work experience while studying. I work full time at the moment over 4 days and my job includes accounts for a charity. Would love some information on how to get some experience
Thanks
Jayne