Hi, I'm Anna and I have just started book-keeping in my spare time. I have always worked in accounting roles and have just completed the AAT which I beleive entitles me to become a member of the IAB too woohoo!
Despite my work experience I am yet to use commercial accounting software as the packages I am used to are integrated into business specific operating systems. I am part way through an online Sage course and think that this will be of great help, and my first client is my Mum so I feel lucky that I am not jumping straight in at the deep end!
My biggest stumbling block seems to be working out where the book-keeping stops and accountancy begins, I look forward to reading through the forum to try to get a clearer picture of what's what. I don't know anybody who does freelance book-keeping so i'm just feeling the way as I go - I could pretty much do with a dummies guide to everything really!
Identifying where bookkeeping stops and accountancy begins is a major problem for many, espechially clients who tend to want bookkeepers who are basically cheap accountants.
When I started work as a bookkeper I tried to only offer bookkeeping services but found that there just wasn't the demand for it in my area as clients wanted one stop sollutions of bookkeeping and accounts.
I am assuming that you will be using your AAT qualification as an MAAT MIP which is an accounting rather than bookkeeping qualification although it does have it's foot in both camps.
Interested to know why when you have AAT you are thinking of also being IAB... Nothing at all wrong with the IAB qualification, just wondered your reasoning.
Many new bookkeepers do make the mistake of assuming that bookkeeping and Sage are the same. Sage is just one package (although an important one to know).
Some clients you will be able to guide towards the right software for them. Others you may need to adopt their software which could be Sage, SAP, Quickbooks, VT, any number of cloud offerings and even some who use bespoke packages similar to the environments that you have been used to.
I've been quite lucky in that I've managed to guide mine down the VT path. The reasoning behind this is Sages licencing policiy that can really eat into a small practices profit.
For payroll software take a serious look at 12pay or Moneysoft Payroll both of which are similar priced and a lot less than Sage payroll.
Have a look around the site as there is plenty of information in here on every conceivable subject for aspiring accountants and bookkeepers.
welcome to the site, hope that it proves useful to you.
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.
Thanks very much for your message, it seems that I definitely need to spend lots of time reading through this fourm!
I sort or stumbled on the IAB myself and came to the conclusion that it was the qualification that potential clients would look for when choosing a book-keeper, so your comments are welcome as I don't really have anybody to ask about this sort of thing. I did investigate becoming a MAAT MIP but the criteria seems quite daunting and I have been advised by the AAT that unless I had already been working in an equivalent role for at least a year AND am studying towards ACA or CIMA then becoming a MIP would not be an option for me anyway.
For the time being perhaps I won't concentrate too much on the qualifications side of things until I understand the industry a bit more. Over the past few years I have received lots of different opinions about what the AAT can offer so perhaps when I confidently know exactaly what services I would like to provide and have a bit more practical experience I can review the situation then. The advisor I spoke to recently did not really seem to be able to personally relate to me, I wouldn't be suprised if I am more eligible than I think.
I had started to get my doubts about Sage being a one stop solution to book-keeping software, it certainly isn't suitable for my Mum's business I'm pleased to be doing the course though, and it gives me confidence that I will be able to get to grips with other new software.
Thanks for the advice about Payroll software, something I have not yet even thought about!
That was a worrying statement by the AAT which implies that they only think that you are good enough to be an MAAT MIP if you are actually with someone else! That's really not blowing their own trumpet very well is it!
You should also include ACCA in that ACA & CIMA list.... Also, CIMA has now become CGMA.
Considering the AAT's response I would put IAB back on the table as it's good to have the support of a supervisory body behind you plus you will need MLR cover either by membership of someone like the IAB or direct from HMRC (for £110).
As for what AAT can offer over the other options...
AAT is your best hope of attaining a starting role in practice. Just take a look at the Reed website and do a search based on various qualifications for non accountants working in accounts.
Invariably the response will come back as AAT (implying full AAT) or PQ (which is generally part qualified ACCA, CGMA/CIMA or ACA (ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI)).
When employers and agents ask for part qualifed they are really asking for people who have either passed all of the exams but do not yet have their two years post qualification experience. Or, in the case of ACCA (which is the one that I know), have passed the first nine papers (F1 to F9) which is the ACCA skills level.
Full AAT would get you exemption from ACCA papers F1 to F3 so it would be very fast to say that you are AAT and PQ ACCA although ACCA regulation 8 does put severe restrictions on the services that you are allowed to offer (even if you make no mention of any affiliation with the ACCA).
Feel free to ask anything on the site that you need to. Many of us on here have been there done that and are quite happy to share our bits of knowledge as it's way too easy in this business to make the wrong choices up front and regret it a ouple of years down the line.
That you have gone AAT is a great starting point and you will never regret setting those foundations. When people say anything untowards about the qualification just ask for confirmation on here and we'll tell you the truth of the situation (be that good or bad).
The site is totally independant. We have ACCA. CIMA, ICAEW, IFA, AAT. ATT, IAB, ICB and numerous other bodies members and students on here who all chat as equals so it's a great place for real unbiased advice.
Looking forwards to chatting,
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.
woohoo!
I'm pleased to be doing the course though, and it gives me confidence that I will be able to get to grips with other new software. 
