I've come pretty far in the last 12 months but i'm still struggling to find work as are many others. I am considering working for myself for the time being, hoping to secure just 1 or 2 clients to keep me "hands on" whilst i study AAT Technician level. Up to this point i have achieved a City & Guilds Bookkeeping and Accounts First Class pass, City & Guilds Computerised Accounts levels 1 & 2 First class passes and have been marked Competent in 5 of the AAT level 3 modules so far with just Ethics and Spreadsheet Software to finish. I have a pretty solid understanding of Double Entry Bookkeeping although i know i don't know everything, Sage experience, dealing with stock. What services could i offer up to this point, if any? should i complete level 4 before i start taking clients? should i join another governing body? this is all new to me as i have always looked forward to being employed in an Accounts Assistant role.
Hi Neil, I suppose the answer to your question lies in the question where do you want to go?
Are you ultimately looking at working for yourself anyway in practice? In which case, I would look to get into an existing practice for the experience. The problem is not just being able to do the books (which you appear to be extremely competent at) but also to be able to do tax returns, provide tax advice, prepare financial statements and corporation tax returns plus any additional services you may want to offer such as tax planning, management accounts etc.
It is hard to find a practice who is recruiting so you may need to volunteer or work part time.
Certainly getting one or two clients would show a prospective employer that you're a candidate to be reckoned with and enhance your chances of getting the accounts role you seek. As for getting them, I'd start with family and friends, then put the word out locally. Not saying much you haven't read here before but there are seminars and business clubs for the outlying towns as well as the city.
Nearly 4 million unrepresented people need help with their tax. I know this would be a divergence for you but might help you get where you want to go. It wouldn't be well paid work, at least at first and I would, of course be glad to help. One of the bookkeeping bodies does a self assessment course that looks interesting and there's a personal tax unit at technician level AAT. You might be able to shuffle round on when you study units.
lol, yeh I answered the door in April and this young lad said "Eh I want me tax back. What can you do for me?". Really nice lad as it turned out though I couldn't do anything for him.
The figures are about the same as it happens. 3.8m including tax credits require help according to Taxaid and just under 4.5m are unrepresented SA taxpayers. I think i merged them to make a snappy posting.
What was on my mind were the incorrect PAYE notices. Therell be millions more under/overpayments again this year, so it might be a good time to get some experience. The main thing is that it might be worth another exam or two if Neil could say he had represented a few people over this or that coding matter or that he was being mentored through, say self assessment.
Thanks for the tips. Anyway i am considering taking on some friends paperwork, i have access to a couple of small independant garage accounts. Basically i am looking at doing what i can for them for free and to hopefully cut their accountancy bills. I just have no idea as to where i can take these accounts at the moment, and i mean no idea whatsoever. This is down to me having always looked at working for a company hence the AAT quals. I have applied to numerous places for volutary work Dave but it seems no one can spare the time to oversee my work, well this is the impression i get and as for part time around this area at the moment, well lets say there is a mile long queue per job offer. All i'm looking for is something to keep me hands on whilst i'm studying. I'll look into the tax side of things Tim, thanks for the offer of help, you may be hearing from me pretty soon.
Try contacting the AAT, you might need a Practice Licence anyway, but there might be some guidance/restrictions on where you can take the accounts to from your membership point of view.
Don't be put off by not getting any voluntary work, it is an odd scenario, but it seems people would rather pay someone. I guess perhaps volunteers sound like they need training, also if they pay you, and you have your own licence and insurance, they are more protected.
I think the AAT do career advice, perhaps a member could clarify? Give them a ring. Failing that, try to attend some meetings and talk to others. Maybe they will give you some subcontracting work to start you off.
Just two more exams to reach level 3 status then i'll look into contacting the AAT and maybe meeting other AAT members. Lokking forward to starting level 4 straight away and maybe doing some bookkeeping up to trial balance for friends as this seems a safe level, and should also (if not save them a little money) aid their Accountants. Thanks for the pointers James.
