To start as a bookkeeper do you need to be registered with accounting body/or Inland Revenue for money laundering before even advertising.
As I am in a new area, plus single Mum not so much as a risk taker as used to be able to be and don't know even if there are potential clients in my area, just wondering whether could do advertising before making the decision whether it worth setting up bookkeeping business (had a bookkeeping business for 4 years but that was in much more of a city location with opportunities plus did not have a child to consider).
If you have to pay before even advertising which is the better route to take (previously I was registered with IAB and paid professional indemnity insurance but at the time was planning on further studying so did not even look into Inland Revenue route)
My understanding is that you need to be registered for MLR with either a supervising body or HMRC before you begin advertising your service.
I can understand not wanting to be a risk taker, but unfortunately business is a lot about taking (calculated) risks. Perhaps some kind of employment may be a better route to look at, if you can find any that is. I believe if you start a business it needs to be with an all or nothing attitude to make it successful. If you try to play it too safe and take no leaps of faith I don't see how you can grow.
If you are with a professional body, you should not register with HMRC (Many do, and are not actually covered!). You should register with your Professional body.
I hope I don't get into trouble by saying this, but I normally say go ahead an advertise, but at the same time fill your forms in so if you get some work you can register before you actually start.
Might get the membership sorted out before advertising. The job centre adviser must have had a personality change since the last appointment 6 months ago then she told me my bookkeeping skills (not worked for 2 years) are far too much out of date and I need to set my sites lower to waitressing, cleaning or shop work. To this time telling me if I have any start up costs to get going with my bookkeeping again, do a business plan and make an appointment to see what start up costs funding I can get.
Well I wimped out. Managed to get an 18 hour a week bookkeeping job with possibility of hours increasing slightly in near future. Too risky setting up a business when got a 2 1/2 year old to think about. Maybe when economic climate improves and my son at school might run business part time alongside the job if it not full time by then.
Thank you. First day yesterday and even though not worked for 2 1/2 years remembered how to use Sage (was dreading I would not remember how to use it).
