I have just recently became PDA (Personal Development Award) qualified (June 2012)- just awaiting my exam confirmation letter. PDA sat with Ayr college as part of day release from HNC Accounting class.
I now wish to become a self-employed book keeper working from home doing simple book keeping tasks for small sole trader / partnerships. I have experience in doing my husbands books but as yet have no other clients.
I was looking to start advertising but on looking at forums im unsure if I need to be part of professional bodies, obtain a license, obtain MLR (not even 100% sure what that is!)?
Becoming a self employed bookkeeper can be one of the most rewarding jobs you can do, it can also be one of the most time consuming and frustrating.
In answer to your questions, you do not have to be a member of a professional body but you do have to be registered for money laundering. This means you keep records on all your clients and assess the risk that they may be making money from the proceeds of crime (very, very basically). You can do this direct with HMRC.
The professional bodies that most bookkeepers (but not all) belong to are the AAT, IAB and ICB. There are various differences between them are to many to go into here, but search the site and you will find a wealth of information.
If you are serious about becoming a bookkeeper, you have come to the right place!
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
Hi, I just completed the same course at Ayr College at nights. You will need to be supervised for MLR by either HMRC or a professional body. If you join ICB you should get exemptions up to and including level 3 with this. If you join a professional body you will need PI insurance, but even if you don't join one it's advisable to have. Good luck (but not too much as we'll likely be working in the same area)
Many thanks for the replies! I will have a look at the professional bodies - on looking at the forums i think it might be worth becoming a member of one
