Hi everyone, I need some expert input. I'm a fully quailifed bookkeeper up to Level 2 - I've got 2 modules to go on my Level 3, but I have to say that it's taken a bit of backseat while I completed my Sage. I have passed all of my exams with distinction, and I am a fully paid up associate member of the ICB. My plan has always been to start my own bookkeeping business.
My husband is self employed and I have been keeping his books since he started. Our accountant told me I had a flare for it and should consider training, so I did and I love it, always have. My accountant has always been very supportive, I guess she feels somewhat responsible for me! The big drawback is that she lives a very long way from me - its takes almost 3 hours to get to her by train. However, during my studies, she subcontracted me to do some work for her, and I had several clients, all different and with their own challenges. I completed the accounts up to and including T,P&L and Balance Sheet. I needed some support from her, but she was really pleased with the work when it was finished.
I'm ready to start on my own now - at least that's what I thought. I'm already advertising. I went to see a more local accountant today - I know I'm going to need one, and he is also a member of the AVN, - he was great, the meeting went well, and he said if he didn't already have a subcontracted bookkeeper himself - he wouldn't of hesitated in giving me a try - even though that's not why I went to see him.
The down side of this meeting was that he advised me to go and get a job for 9 months to a year to get my experience. I realise that doing the courses and passing the exams is nothing like the real world, I worked that out when I subcontracted for my accountant - it is completely different. But I really feel strongly that I can do it. There's so much information out there with forums and the like and the ICB and HMRC are always on hand for advice. I really want to go it alone and see what I can achieve - does anyone have any comments about this. I was so sure it was time and now I feel like I'm flat on my face. It's definately knocked my confidence a bit. I've been studying for a long time and now I just want to get on with it!
Thanks in advance to anyone that takes the time to read and reply.
For me personally I needed the challenge of starting on my own.
Having a workplace environment to gain experience in, is absolutely worth its weight in gold, with the support, and mentoring you can get but at the end of the day, they are just a knowledge base. If you have a situation you are not sure about, you ask an experienced colleague. The downside of that is you have to usually interupt someone at their work.
10 years ago, I might have considered the only route would have been workplace experience to gain the knowledge needed to go it alone but with the advent of the interweb, there are plenty of other sources of knowledge and support. This forum is good starting point. You can contact HMRC (if you don't mind hanging on!), or ICB for advise, at least there you are not interrupting anyones work, you are the cause of it
You just need good underpinning knowledge, a bit of common sense savvy, a bit of confidence (probably harder to aquire than experience), and a good, high speed internet connection.
One of my favourite sayings is "experience is something you get, when you are looking for something else"
Bottom line - Go for it
HTH
Bill
-- Edited by Wella on Tuesday 21st of June 2011 02:10:03 PM
Bill - You are a Star - I'm smiling again! I often look at threads that come up on the site and always make sure I read any responses yourself or Shamus post. It means a great deal to me that you took the time to get back to me- you've really helped, thanks.
Sorry missed your post. I've got the site on one screen all day but have been pulling my hair out trying to build a web site all day on another so haven't been replying much.
I think Bill pretty much says it all.
If you wait until you know it all before you start then you will never start as the more you know the more you realise that you don't.
One thought that I did have whilst reading your note was that a good response to the accountant might have been "are you offering me a position then?".
Another positive note is that you've already been doing subcontracted work for your other accountant so you've already got a head start over many who set up without any experience.
If YOU feel that you are ready Bizzy then go for it before the enthusiasm waines. As Bill says, you've got t'internet and you've got us. So it's almost like you're in one big extended office anyway... Except here people are not trying to carve out their own little niches by keeping everything to themselves and there is always someone around more than happy to offer a helping hand.
Good luck with the new venture,
All the best,
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.
Hi - Regarding franchising, I hadn't even considered it an option - do you know where would be a good place to research the idea ?
And Shaun! Hey! I'm smiling and glowing - I feel so much better!
There was some really positive stuff to take from the meeting - I'd never been in that situation before and I learnt a lot from it - mostly about my confidence - I've got more than I thought I had! He was a really nice guy, but he's been doing it a long time and is very successful, maybe he's not as aware of the support that is outside of an office situation now. I know that this forum is going to be an invaluable resource for me for a long time to come. I really value your comments, thanks again everybody.
Karen
-- Edited by Bizzy on Tuesday 21st of June 2011 03:50:21 PM
Bob Harper who runs The Cruncher Franchise (writes interesting and good articles on marketing for accountants) http://www.thecrunchersfranchise.co.uk/contact-us/ 0800 59 999 59
Lisa Newton who runs boogles (I know Lisa, very energetic and bright spark) http://www.boogles.info/index.html 0844 8844 622
Elaine Clark Runs Cheap Accounting www.cheapaccounting.co.uk 0844 884 2399
Theres also the local bookkeeper franchise (some franchisees contribute her) Alex King runs the local bookkeeper (Again energetic. Any local bookkeeper franchisee looking here, say hi to him from Dalbir) http://www.thelocalbookkeeper.co.uk/ 0845 862 9962
