Firstly I'd just like to say that it's great finding this place. Having had a browse I think it may be a godsend for me :)
I've just set up my own business as a bookkeeper after nearly 25 years in the Royal Air Force. It's scary (no, to be honest it's terrifying) & worrying & exciting all at the same time! I've been asked a few times how on earth I've gone from engineering in the RAF to bookkeeping but I see quite a few parallels betwen the two in the requirement for self discipline (especially being self employed), integrity & an attention to detail, all of which the military drills into you!
I've taken on the role as a franchisee with Rosemary Bookkeeping as I feel that at the moment I need a support network in place for peace of mind. One thing the military does do for you is look after nearly all of your needs so all of a sudden 'flying by the seat of your own pants' is one hell of a change :)
Well, I look forward to 'chatting' to many of you & to contributing to the forum.
as with the Nicka dn Neil looking forwards to learning all about your startuop experiences.
Anything we can do to help, just ask.
Actually, one thing to a wary of is that we did have a francisee on here before who had to stop posting as their franchise agreement prevented such. It might be worth checking the wording of your agreement to ensure that you are not breaching any coventants in talking about the franshise on here.
Regardless of that though everything else is fair game for conversation / debate / occassional full blown arguement (but done respectfully).
Nice to see the word integrity appearing in a post. We'll have you down the accountancy leg of the business in no time matey,
all the best,
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.
Spam... yeah I suppose it could be seen as expensive (I'd rather not go in to actual figures) but I see it as an investment & I really do need that support network in place.
Nick, I'll let you know how it goes :)
Shaun... I will check my franchise agreement just in case. Accountancy........................ maybe not
Welcome to the forum Jon. I'm looking to set up a bookkeeping practice in the near future after completing the icb qualifications so i shouldn't be too far behind you in terms of setting up.
Do you have any experience with bookkeeping or are the franchise training you?
Welcome to the forum Jon. I'm looking to set up a bookkeeping practice in the near future after completing the icb qualifications so i shouldn't be too far behind you in terms of setting up.
Do you have any experience with bookkeeping or are the franchise training you?
All the best with your new venture.
Richard
Hi Richard,
I have very limited experience in bookkeeping gained from doing some account work during my time in the RAF. However, I've no experience of doing 'real' bookkeeping for 'real' companies. You're right in thinkning that I've gone down the franchise route for this reason. In addition, you tend to be very well looked after in the Forces so it's nice to have some support there for all the other things that are new to me in civilian life. I'm even having to change my usual way of approaching people as shouting & threats of violence don't appear to have the same effect in civvy life as they did in the Forces
I am hoping to undertake the ICB qualifications some time in the near future, especially as the RAF will still pay the vast majority towards any courses I wish to do :) How have you found it?
Thanks for the best wishes. Hope all goes well for you too.
' I'm even having to change my usual way of approaching people as shouting & threats of violence don't appear to have the same effect in civvy life as they did in the Forces'
I fear you may be deleting that bit of your post in a few clients time lol.
If only we had access to semi automatic weaponry client relations could be so much easier.... Oh, I forgot Neil, your from Manchester, you do have access to semi automatic weaponry, lol.
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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 wish you well with your new venture. By way of encouragement, one of our former students springs to mind who bought into franchise for security reasons. She put in the hours and went onto employ a few people within a short period of time. A risk? Yes, but you'll know all about them already. Our student is a regular attendee at the Annual ICB bookkeeping conference. Its a while away but if you attend the one in November, in London, I'll see if can knock your two heads together. Saying that, I'm sure you've got a great support network behind you already.
I wish you well with your new venture. By way of encouragement, one of our former students springs to mind who bought into franchise for security reasons. She put in the hours and went onto employ a few people within a short period of time. A risk? Yes, but you'll know all about them already. Our student is a regular attendee at the Annual ICB bookkeeping conference. Its a while away but if you attend the one in November, in London, I'll see if can knock your two heads together. Saying that, I'm sure you've got a great support network behind you already.
Thanks for the kind words Brian. I'll have a good look at the ICB conference as it sounds interesting. Do you know if you need to be qualified to attend?
The conference is open to all members, from student to fellow. Last year there were many stands exhibiting their software packages and they had lectures on areas such as self assessment, MLR, amongst other useful topics for those in practice.
