I am looking to start a career as a bookeeper. My local college runs AAT levels 2,3,and4. I have no desire to work for a company, I would like to work self employed starting with just basic bookeeping for friends etc. I am wondering if the above courses will be over kill for my proposed career path.
Would an online bookeeping course such as sage be more appropriate?
There are three different bookkeeping qualifications any of which will get you where you want to be.
The Institute of Certified Bookeepers (ICB) (www.icb.org.uk)
The International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB) (www.iab.org)
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) (www.aat.org.uk)
Each institute/ association has their strengths and weaknesses. However, they are all well known and respected bookkeeping/accountancy qualifications.
Perhaps as a first step you might want to visit each organisations website to see which qualification suits you most depending on preferred mode of study, career aspirations and so on. It is important to note that the AAT qualification generally requires someone to confirm your experience. The ICB has no such requiremnet (Not sure about the ICB.)
This type of question comes up regularly on the forum so I'm sure a bit of searching around here will come up with information to help you with your decision.
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
Just to add to the comments by Ray that the ICB and IAB are more geared towards self-employment whereas the AAT is more geared towards working for an employer.
As you intend going down the self employed route then reading up on the Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) is a must before you start anything. If you go with the ICB, IAB or AAT then they will supervise you for MLR. If you don't go with any of them then you will need to register with HMRC for MLR and pay the appropriate fee to them.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
I have met quite a few people taking AAT who aim to become self employed. I intend to someday work for someone and the AAT was probably my best choice but i'm just wondering what makes people think it isn't really a qualification for those seeking self employment. Please don't take this post the wrong way, i've not jumped on my high horse or anything, i'm just curious as to what makes the AAT qualification a better option for those seeking employment?
Employers are more aware of AAT qualifications that ICB or IAB.
That isn't really what you are asking though. You're asking what is wrong with going down the AAT route to become self-employed. (Reading back - you did actually ask this) I don't have the answer to that one. But I do know (or at least I understand this to be the case) you need to have worked for two years for someone else to achieve member status with them. I have considered the AAT as well. I'm thinking I may do the Level IV with ICB instead.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
12 months work experience but AAT provide quite a list of stuff that must have been covered in that period to achieve MAAT. Thanks Peasie, i was just, y'know, wondering.
Hi peeps, according to the AAT website they have 49000 professionals in senior positions and 3400 MIP's in the UK. Not sure how this compares with IAB/ICB.
From the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers website.........
"The Institute has more than 150,000 students and members spread across more than fifty countries, making it the largest bookkeeping institute in the world."
However, I'd guess that you should not read too much into headline statistics like these.
-- Edited by Ray2000 on Tuesday 22nd of November 2011 02:48:56 PM
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.................just an ICB student, at the moment.
Yep Ray. The AAT figures are not overly clear anyway. Elsewhere it says 120,000 members world-wide and as the 49000 figure is less than half that, then I'm only guessing that means 7% self employed members in the UK. Regards, Tim
Yep Ray. The AAT figures are not overly clear anyway. Elsewhere it says 120,000 members world-wide and as the 49000 figure is less than half that, then I'm only guessing that means 7% self employed members in the UK. Regards, Tim
Kind of backs up the point they are more geared towards worrking for an employer than self-employed.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
Erm i think we forgot about the OP's questions lol. Anyone have any advice on the Sage course? Seeing as we now have proof albeit from Tim (lol) that the AAT qual is more geared towards people looking for employment.
Sorry Tim, couldn't resist being cheeky
-- Edited by Spamkebab on Tuesday 22nd of November 2011 03:11:21 PM
Erm i think we forgot about the OP's questions lol. Anyone have any advice on the Sage course?
I think any advice would depend on whether the OP wants to go with HMRC for MLR. If they do then yes, the Sage course may be better - although this is designed to teach people how to use the software, not the underlying bookkeeping theory behind the entries which may be needed if problems are encountered at some point. Probably should have broken that sentence into a couple of smaller ones but I couldn't be stopped once I started.
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
Hi Ryan I cannot comment on bodies other than the ICB but my 2p worth...
I would not simply do a Sage course as that is a software course, not a bookkeeping course. To understand how to enter transactions in Sage correctly means that you also need to understand double entry bookkeeping. A software course will not teach you that. It will however teach you how to use the software once you already know the bookkeeping principles.
The benefits of being in a professional organisation to me seem to outweigh the costs. Firstly there is always someone at the end of the phone if you need help or advice. They give you startup advice for beginning your own business. They govern you for the Money Laundering Regulations at a cost less than that charged by HMRC if you go direct. It also gives you credibility with a new client to offer a practice licence and recognised qualifications to backup your business, especially if you do not have that much experience.
For me, the ICB qualifications were the most accessible. By that I mean that exams can be taken pretty much when you want to take them rather than having to wait for twice yearly sittings.
You dont' say whether you have any experience of bookkeeping but assuming that you don't, then an online course in Sage is not going to be enough to set up your own bookkeeping business but some might see the AAT as overkill for what you want to do.
CHeck out the IAB and ICB websites for details of their qualifications to see which seems to fit best with what you want to do and go from there.
Ryan you say your local college offer AAT, if you want to study at a local college and they are offering AAT then do AAT. It is a very good qualification, and you can use it to get into ICB or IAB later if you decide.
Make sure you do the full course, not just an ABC in Bookkeeping, for setting up your own business you should do at least AAT 2 and 3.
If your not fussed about studying in a college, or if the course/exams are too expensive or takes too long, then you might want to consider ICB via distance learning, or find a college that offers ICB.
I wont go into this now (unless you want me to) as by the sounds of it you have found a course that you are happy with.
The others have posted some interesting points of view on the various bodies in terms of membership, but like I say, you can use an AAT qualification to move bodies later.
Best of luck with your course, if you need any further help just ask.
Hello
In regards to the sage course, I started with Sage and worked to level 3. I understood how to use the software, even making the entries for depreciation, opening and closing balances etc but why these entries were carried out I didn't know. the syllabus didn't cover simple things such as creating an invoice or stock control. After chatting with a lecturer I decided to take an IAB course.
I was still completing my level 3 SAGE at the time. within a few weeks of IAB I honestly felt I had wasted 3 years doing the courses in SAGE. I was now far more confident in using the software but for a more practical purpose. I undertook a new course ( sometimes 2 ) every year in IAB and can honestly say it was the better choice.
I opened my bookkeeping business in 2009 and feel IAB have provided me with the solid foundations required. I am even considering leaving the comfort of a secure employment to 'go it alone'
I just wanted to share my experiences. hope it helps someone.
