Hi, i recently got a job in accounts, but have no experience (only got job cause studiying aat and he cant afford someone experienced), i'm sort of teaching myself, as i go but starting to ask if this is all correct? i'm the only one in that department and there is no one to ask. my employer hasn't got a clue either. I recently purchased sage, currently inputting all customers onto it now, with outstanding balances. doing the same for suppliers. then, every month i go through the bank statement and enter all payments onto sage. do the reconciliation. daily tasks are also invoicing and i'll have to do my first vat return in a month. is this the sort of thing you do in acounts as assitant? he's got like 5 diferent bank accounts and 3 sources of income so i made up a spreadsheet for each account where i detail where echt payment came from I am really not sure if I am doing what is normal for this role or if I am missing duties that I should have been doing. Like i say, he just tells me to do what I think is right but obviously having never worked in this environment i'm bit unsure. I don't want to loose this job as its a great oppurtunity. Also, is 7 an hour about right for this role?
If i was your employer i would be worried as seems you havent a clue what you are doing. This isnt a slight on you as we all have to start somewhere but worrying that you have no experience and you are doing the full accounts function.
At the end of the day it is your employers decision but if they are only paying £7 an hour will explain why then cant get anyone of any experience.
Do you have any accounts experience? eg went and studied accounts at college or university? If you have nothing other than the studying you are doing at the moment then doesnt seem you are suitable for the job.
I think that Marks reply can come accross a little bluntly if you read in wrongly but I can see that the response is well meant and hope that you read it in the same manner as myself.
you don't say how far you are into your AAT studies.
Unfortunately you've hit the situation that many of us see where employers feel that bookkeeping is just adding up a few figures.
£7 (or even minimum wage) is certainly not unreasonable for someone with little or no training but you would expect to be in a trainee role in a supervised capacity rather than thrown in at the deep end as an expert.
Employers get away with paying virtually nothing often much less thasn minimum wage when you take into account the unpaid overtime expectations on the grounds that one needs the experience in order to gain a practicing certificate so it's pretty much regarded as a loss leader.
Does the business that your working for have an accountant that they use.If so at period end you will need to hand your work over to them. One approach that you may find useful, if your employer accepts it, is to approach the accountant to discuss how they would like to see the information presented and from that you may be able to develop your processes and procedures.
I'm not sure of the AAT's stance on working in an accounts function when you don't have a suitably qualified employer to supervise your work. I know that with the ACCA I had to tell one potential employer that they were not qualified enough to employ me. You may find that AAT have similar rules so it will be worth checking.
As a matter of urgency I would suggest doing quite a few past AAT papers for units 1 to 3 to ensure that you do not make any silly mistakes (as an AAT student you should have access to those).
Have words with the clients accountant as mentioned above.
Can't think of any other advice to offer off the top of my head but sure others on here will.
I do appreciate that this must be a very frightening experience having been thrown in out of your depth. Thankfully this is an employed rather than self employed position so it is very much down tto your employer to ensure that they hire the correct person for the position.
Just as one final point though. The above response assumes that you were completely honest with the employer about your level of qualification and experience at interview.
Good luck in the role and hope that it all turns out for the best,
kind regards,
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.
AAT states that you can only take on board work you are suitably qualified and experienced to do unless you are suitably supervised. Much like ACCA i suspect, it's all covered in the Proffessional Ethics in Accounting and Finance module taken either at level2 or level3 AAT. I wouldn't like to put myself in a similar position and jeopardise my AAT membership but have you got an external Accountant who would be willing to supervise you?
(Shaun, does this post count as advice lol?, i was thinking of changing my name to Frank Spencer after your comment t'other day)
It sounds like you are having to set things up and get them in order from scratch which will prove great experience.
You do need someone to refer queries to and to provide an overwatch so approaching the accountant in advance of the first VAT return is essential. Of course as you gain experience and establish systems and procedures you will need to refer fewer queries.
Be sure that you comply with the AAT as set out by previous posters.
Hi, thanks for all your posts. I'm doing the aat level 3 now. That's why I started to worry in the first place as I did the professional ethics. But I thought this is more for those who are self employed. He's got an accountant doing the end of year for him. From your comments I get the feeling these are all duties of an accountant rather than accounts assistant? I know I might be taking on a lot but this job is like my biggest opportunity. I'll contact the aat for advice Also, with the vat return. He's been doing it for past years and when I was watching him last time I noticed all the figures were only estimates. I don't think he takes all of this serious enough. To be honest I'm looking for another job already. I feel like if I stay there I will not all the things I should have.
If you were not a registered member with a governing body you could do what you like, I would contact the AAT myself and have a chat with them about the role you have undertaken. Get the info you need straight from the horses mouth as it were.
