What are everyones plans for the new year? Are you going all out on marketing, embracing new technologies or are you going to diversify?
My biggest plans are to get into tweeting, but as I've tried this a number of times and got bored I don't hold out much hope.
I am also looking to diversify slightly with the services I currently offer. The plan is really to look more closely at offering a full one stop shop accountancy and business service for sole traders and in particular a handful of specific industries. It could also prove my undoing, but if I didn't take calculated risks I would still be working for some idiot (other than myself).
So, what are your plans, share (so we can all steal your ideas)
My plan for this year is to finally find a mavellous bookkeeper to employ. I've acheived a string of datainputters over the years with a wide ranging success outcome, but what I really really need (are you listening universe) is a great bookkeeper. This will enable me to manage the continued expansion in our lovely shiny new offices. Oh and a cleaner/washer upper. Please. Also to get on top of my in tray and stay on top of it. One plan is much linked to the other!
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Jenny
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Please oh please oh please let me fully finally pass ACCA before the years out so that I can start making real plans from next new year!
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Shaun
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Cheers Amanda. I think that a lot of it is completely down to the luck of the marker that you get for your exam script. I've also got to stop writing so much as it really puts you under time pressure and I don't think that long scripts win any brownie points with markers who only have a few minutes to review each script.
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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.
being an ACCA student (or even a full ACCA member without a practicing certificate) places a lot of restrictions on what you are allowed to do. Basically I can do bookkeeping to trial balance, VAT and payroll and that it. No tax advice, no management accounts, no final accounts, no representing clients to HMRC.
I have experience in all of the above from working for qualified accountants but my own business isn't allowed to perform any of those services without coming under the direct supervision of a qualified accountant.
It's really frustrating in that as an almost fully qualified ACCA with the experience requirements all signed off I am still not allowed to do stuff that a part qualified member of the ICB would be allowed to do (I'm thinking AICB level).
I did mistakenly join the ICB and became AICB but then found that the ACCA rules take precedence so that really didn't pan out as planned!
I've still got to pass paper P2 to stop being a student whose not allowed to offer the full range of services to being a member whose not allowed to offer the full range of services!
For now my business actually concentrates on process automation using Excel Macro's and tutoring in bookkeeping, accounting and Excel. The actual bookkeeping side makes pin money and I've dropped Payroll services completely as it requires ongoing commitment disproportionate to the return.
As for the study to work part of your question. I found that I was able to do both quite happily for the fundamentals and skills level papers but for the professional level papers they really do need an awful lot of your time and I have to try to work in study days into my normal schedule and study weeks just prior to the exams. I also carry decks of cards with me everywhere and every chance I get is spent memorising something.
The real issue for me in the mix of single parenting and study. I thought that things would get easier as my son got older but if anything it's the other way around.
When he was very young I used to read him accountancy texts as bedtime stories. Providing that you make it sound exciting with your tone of voice and eye movements it works. You get to study and they get their bedtime story.
All the best,
Shaun.
p.s. the mistake wasn't joining the ICB which is a pretty good institution but rather thinking that being a member of another body changed the ACCA restrictions which it doesn't.
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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.
When he grows up to be an Actuary I'll just blame myself!
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Shaun
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I'm same as Jenny - could do with somebody to work with me as it is at the point where I can't take on any more work but HATE turning it down! Just don't know where to start looking and whether to employ or sub contract. 'Tis all very grown up!
It's funny you say that, I remember when I was studying - my younger sister (10 years younger) always wanted to sit with me when I used to study - so to get her out of the room - I used to ask her to memorise a different aspect of accounting each time and present to me within 10 minutes - if she fails then she's out, or make her learn the spelling of 10 really long words (to most of which, even I didn't know the spelling or meaning)
When I look back - it never fails to put a smile on my face
I'm in the same position as you and don't know what to do for the best, I had to stop advertising as got too much, then was talking to a client this morning and hes passing on a friend to me soon, which I course I won't say no to but wondering how I'm going to do it. Luckily his friend isn't too big just a small self employed thank god! Do you work from home Sue?
My hubby rents some offices for his business so I nabbed one of those! Saying that I only manage one day a week in the office (if I'm lucky) with the rest spent out at clients own premises. Work at home evenings and weekends (where possible - still got a young family)
So, where do we start Amanda!?! Please tell me......!
I've got to ask. What's the Avatar? the line looks like the San Andreas fault so I'm guessing that it's a topical link to 2012 / end of the world?
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.
I've got to ask. What's the Avatar? the line looks like the San Andreas fault so I'm guessing that it's a topical link to 2012 / end of the world?
kind regards,
Shaun.
It's my desktop background, although it isn't meant as a reference to the end of the world this year (note to self cancel pension), it could be construed as one as its the earth all burnt to a crisp and just about to crack apart due to an overactive sun. I'm a cheery person really
Being your typical Sheldon type geek my desktop screen saver on all of my machines is Cameron (Summer Glau) from the Terminator TV series during the manufacturing process.
Here's a low res version of it :
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.
Being your typical Sheldon type geek my desktop screen saver on all of my machines is Cameron (Summer Glau) from the Terminator TV series during the manufacturing process.
The problem with subbing it out is most of mine is either on QB or Sage instants (got several versions) so you would have to have the same software as me to start with before I would go any further, and I don't want to pay for licenses for them either. I've only got a couple of excel who aren't very big.
It's difficult really, employing someone is ok if you have the capital to sustain them through an initial period of low workloads and invest in licenses, that is working on the basis that you would have a sustained increase in clients to make your employee profitable rather quickly. You could perhaps take on a partner but again only if you beleive there will be a further increase in work. Failing all else, work your arse off, stash the money and retire at a young age
-- Edited by Rhianrach on Saturday 7th of January 2012 08:43:10 PM
.Also to get on top of my in tray and stay on top of it.
Hi Jenny,
This is something I've been struggling with lately and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the 'stuff' I have to remember / do.
Anyhow the point is I came across a book by David Allen - "getting things done". I don't know if it's your "thing" but you might find it interesting. There's an awful lot of info on the web about the his system.
Might be worth having a little look.
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Tony
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