I'm currently unemployed due to an illness and have been pondering whether to do an AAT or similar qualification to improve my job prospects (which are poor at the moment). My rain reason for thinking about an AAT is I enjoyed the financial aspects of running my own business and I have heard it looks good on the CV whether for just an admin job or bookkeeping type role - is this a silly reason to be looking into the AAT qualification?
My other query is I notice one can take an AAT as an apprenticeship and therefore save on the course fees - does it make sense to try and find an entry level (admin) job at an accountancy firm then try and have them offer training to become a bookkeeper or even accountant?
Sorry to hear about your illness, hope that you're all better now.
No questions are silly, just some of the answers so don't worry about asking anything on this site. Also. you've picked one of those times along with January where most people on this site are quite busy. At the moment it's doing year end returns for clients which hits like a perfect storm at the same time as half term from school so whilst technical queries and discussions still get responded to pretty quickly, the welcome messages don't all get answered anywhere near as fast as at other times of the year.
Having AAT will generally improve your job prospects but it is still no guarantee of work. Unfortunately it's one of those things where you won't know if your money has been wasted until you've spent thousands with training providers, memberships, exam fee's and books.
The apprenticeships are only normally open to school leavers which explains so many people going down the self employed route as getting the required experience for membership after passing the exams can be a complete nightmare. Also, there tends to be more people looking for these roles than positions available so even if you fit within the age parameters you really have to fight to win them.
On that subject, if your intention is to run your own bookkeeping business as your question indicates then why not look at ICB or IAB which is more geared towards thast than AAT which would set you up for employment that may not happen?
You can self teach bookkeeping from CD courses or books and then join the ICB or IAB and pass their exams. The outlay will not come to as much as taking the AAT route but you are looking at a different end result (self employment rather than employment).
If you can get any job with an accountancy practice then snatch the offer with both hands and don't press the training issue as they may just decide to go with someone else who is already putting themself through training. Such training roles coming up for unexperienced people are right up there in the rarity stakes with unicorn dung. A good many people on this site dream of getting that sort of break.
You didn't mention in your introduction whether you actually have any experience in this field already buty I am assuming from the entry level admin line that you don't. If that's the case then before spending huge amounts of money on training could I suggest that you buy Mastering Accounting Skills by Dr. Peter Marsall and Mastering Bookkeeping skills by Margaret Nicholson. You can get the pair from Amazon for under £20 and after reading them (a) they are both excellent for reference purposes and (b) you will know if you understand them whether this line of work is really for you.
Trust me, some people seem as though they were born with their minds hard wired for double entry, some people pick it up and some people never really understand it.
Good luck in moving forwards with this.
kind regards,
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.
Many thanks for your response - of course I was forgetting about everyone being busy with end of year accounts! I hope my previous reply didn't come across as being rude I just wondered if my post was more appropriate for a different section.
Due to my illness (cancer) I won't be looking for a job until September at the earliest hence why I started thinking about looking into gaining a qualification.
A self-employed bookkeeper would probably be my final goal however I was unsure if I could attract clients without having experience working for someone else first? Do most of you self employed bookkeepers serve small business and the like? I would probably try and focus on small local business who appreciate face to face contact and work at a reduced rate to gain experience. I will certainly have a look into ICB and IAB (is one preferable over the other?)
You're correct in your assumption that I don't have any experience in this field so those two books you recommended will be a huge benefit.
The ICB has helped 1000's of people set up their bookkeeping business, many of which have no previous experience before they started on the course.
Your first client is always a big deal, but perhaps you could start on a family or friends books? There is career advice available through the ICB, and if you get professional looking business cards, letterheads, website etc, most clients wont ask about your experience.
Usually starting off offering reduced rate and advertising you need the experience does not work, I would recommend that once you have completed the course and are qualified to just advertise normally. Most clients wont like the thought of using someone who is inexperienced but cheap.
If you join a professional body like the ICB or IAB then you may be able to work with another member for reduced rate to build up your confidence.
Bookkeepers serve businesses of all shapes and sizes, you will probably start off with smaller businesses as your first clients, taxi drivers, window cleaners etc. You can watch an ICB intro video which has members talking about their business here: http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/About%20Us/ICB%20Video
-- Edited by ICBUK on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 10:21:37 AM
Thank you for your help ICBUK I will have an in depth look at your website later. I have ordered one of the books recommended by Shaun which should be here by the end of the week.
