AAT is this the course for me? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Chris74 · Newbie

AAT is this the course for me?

Rhianrach · Expert

Bookkeeping from home isn't something you would need AAT for, however the AAT will give you extremely good grounding in both the principles of bookkeeping and accounting.
I want to work from home eventually but I will carry on my studies with AAT so that when it comes to bookkeeping I have an idea of what goes on with the accountancy side so that I can offer a service that reduces accountancy costs by providing them with books that need an absolute minimum work in order to finalise. If this doesn't concern you then IAB/ICB would be the way to go.

Noola · Senior Member

I have completed Level 2 IAB Bookeeping, Level 2 AAT Accounting and AAT Level 3 and to be honest Level 2 IAB and Level 2 AAT were the same. However I'm not sure what Level 3 IAB entails so it might be worth finding out and see if it concentrates mainly on the bookkeeping side of things.

Level 3 AAT covers extended trial balance, profit and loss, balance sheets, spreadsheets, partnership accounts, depreciation, costing and revenues etc. I think AAT is an excellent qualification choice and it pays to know the whole picture rather than just bookkeeping because you never know when you might need it. If you are preparing someones accounts for an external accountant, in my experience I've had accountants (not all accountants! Some of them are very nice lol) that like to show their authority and see you as the smaller person. They don't like explaining anything to you and it can be quite difficult to liaise with them sometimes. So if you have some knowledge of what they do it will be easier to communicate at times and maybe you could offer your client more so that they are paying out less for the full services of an accountant?

Hope this helps! And hope I haven't offended anyone lol!

betty121 · Senior Member

Hi everyone,

Can someone who is AAT qualified not offer the small business enterprise the full accountancy service without the need to go to another accountant at the end of the year?

Elizabeth

Topcat401965 · Member

I recommend AAT over IAB.

I qualified with AAT in 1994 and is more than adequate to fulfill my book-keeping as a freelancer.

Recently, i asked IAB if i could become a member but they refused and said that as i didn't qulaify with AAT in the last 5 years, i would have to study ALL the IAB courses. I wanted to join IAB to have access to their client database, they took my application money but offer no service to me.

Good luck!!

ICBUK · Guru

Hello,

Philip: Are you sure IAB rejected you? Not that I agree with it but the IAB seem to be offering full membership to anyone, including students of the ICB who havent finished their courses! People have mentioned on this forum they have been offered full membership of the IAB, when the AAT/ICB wouldn't. Prehaps there was a mis-comunication?

What is the client database you mention?

Elizabeth: Depends what you mean by 'full accountancy service', but technically you don't need an accountant unless your being audited. If you are a member of the AAT they may require certain qualifications to allow you to complete the various parts of the accountancy service. Best to check with them.

Topcat401965 · Member

James,

I'm 100% positive that IAB rejected me. IAB offer a database whereby your details would be entered, this allows businesses to search for book-keepers in their relevant areas which i believe is a great idea.

IAB required references from 2 accountants that i have worked with for 2 years maximum, as my qualification from 1994 was too long ago. I was able to provide one reference within those parameters. I was refused membership on those conditions. I complained to IAB showing my confusion and disgust but i received a very complicated explanation that needed a dictionary to translate. Also, my registration fee was not returned on my request.

AAT exams are more than adequate to support freelance book-keeping.

Jackiey · Newbie

Topcat401965 wrote:

AAT exams are more than adequate to support freelance book-keeping.

Does anyone know what level of AAT would give you enough knowledge to start freelance book-keeping? I have almost finished AAT level 2 but certainly do not feel ready.

I understand that experience is very important and I have started doing some bookkeeping work for my sports group under the supervision of an accountant (who is also in my sports group) and will also start helping a self employed friend.

Topcat401965 · Member

AAT courses have changed since i took them in 1994.

As a guideline, i would truly recommend gaining the bank reconciliation understanding. Most transactions go through the bank account and from my point of view is always a great place to start from.

In my experience, alot of book-keepers did not have bank reconciliation knowledge.

Once you have gained this knowledge, you would not have to worry about not having the Trial Balance or Balance Sheet understanding.

Most computer software available offer a facility to produce TB's or BS's, just a button to press.

Jackiey · Newbie

Thanks Topcat.

For me I think it is a case of confidence and experience rather than knowledge as I was fine on this area of the course and I think I would be okay with it in a real situation.

Someone I recently talked to said that she was looking for a "bookkeeper" but she was actually asking for a lot more as she required tax advice so that made me wonder what people actually expect from a bookkeeper and I felt that I was far from ready! (I have since looked up what is involved in the role.)

Chris74 · Newbie

Thanks to you all for your advice, it has been a great help!

Annacarter · Member

If you are looking for aat co in UK then ---------------- (#1) will be best option for you.

#1 Institution reference removed by moderator for incorrectly stating that such was the best without appropriate corroborative evidence

-- Edited by Shamus on Saturday 24th of August 2013 01:02:35 PM

NickCraggs · Guru

Is this your honest, unbiased opinion?!

Spamkebab · Expert

Lol Nick

Rhianrach · Expert

I'm sold

NickCraggs · Guru

I think Fry would need more than a handfull of notes for this.

£4,200 for the AAT, this is getting into HLC territory!

Spamkebab · Expert

For that price i would expect the AAT to wave all exams and just hand deliver my certificates.

Gold leaf please.

NickCraggs · Guru

I would want Jane Scott-Paul (OBE) to come round with her hammer and put my certificate on the wall.