I'm a 31 year old male who is looking at a career change into bookkeeping/accounts. I've played Rugby for a living for the past 12 years and with me approaching the end of my career, I'm looking at alternative careers and bookkeeping is something that appeals to me. I have no previous experience in the finance sector so I'm seeking some advice on the best way to get started. Would I have to gain employment first or do I go straight into gaining qualifications?
I would be extremely grateful if anyone on here could point me in the right direction.
It's a good career to go for - there's lots of businesses out there that will always need book keepers.
I would suggest you look around websites such as the ICB (Institute of Certified Book Keepers) http://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/ There's lots of information about the levels of qualifications and training options.
In my opinion, it would be better to train at home over a few months, then once you reach Associate level (if you joined ICB), you can begin practising to get experience. It may be difficult to get employed work in this line if you have no experience - and even if you managed to find a job - it's likely to only give you experience in one area, being that of the employers sector. With following a book keeping course, you would get a complete overall view of book keeping, then could pick your working options after that.
Good Luck - hope this helps
Carol
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Carol Saunders Lady of Ledger Book Keeping Telford, Shropshire
ICB is a great option if looking for Self-Employment. The ICB are holding the Bookkeepers Summit on November 14 in London, why not book yourself a place where you will get the change to meet with people in the same situation as yourself as well as get advice from the more established Bookkeeper where you can get a feel for the pro's and con's of the industry and make some great contacts at the same time. Just call the ICB on 0845 060 2345 for more advice.
before disappearing off down the ICB or IAB routes (similar qualifications. IAB is older and more conservative. ICB is a product of the IAB (ICB was formed by an ex IAB employee Garry Carter), it's younger and more dynamic).
But....
Before making that decision ask yourself is it self employment or the option of employment that you are looking for?
For employability look at AAT or ACCA (AAT will take up to 3 years, ACCA can take as much as 10 (although most do it quicker than that)).
I am sure that you have made contacts in your career that may be interested in helping out a player from the old team. If so, exploit any contacts that you may have to the full and try to get a trainee position in a firm if possible.
Even if you decide to so self employed later an initial career in practice will pay dividends later. However, if you do not have the contacts (I think that you do even if you dont realise it yet) then self employment is really the only option.
If you think that you can swing that then put yourself through the first level of AAT to prove to a potential employer that you can do it and that you are serious about this career move. Premier training are excellent suppliers of AAT course. (and Training Link represented by Dave above are excellent for ICB).
It would be remiss of me not to mention that there are other options such as Ideal schools and Eagle training and you should shop around all options before making an informed choice of training provider.
Good luck with the career move,
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.
lol Dave. I'm sure that you're on commission for those ICB clan gathering tickets.
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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.
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.
lol Dave. I'm sure that you're on commission for those ICB clan gathering tickets.
I Wish mate, ICB don't know I exist unless I am in trouble lol, but I do know first hand of how good and well thought out the summit is and so it is my duty to spread the word.
Thanks for the replies, they've been very helpful.
I think I would like to go down the employment route rather than self employment at this stage, I'd like to build up my confidence and experience as I'm new to the industry. I'm looking at the AAT website and Premier Training website at the moment as I'm still weighing up my options.
If I do choose the employment route, do you think a sensible choice would be to take the level one AAT then apply to some companies for possible employment or would it be better to try and complete all the courses first to broaden my knowledge and then apply for employment?.
Best of luck for your decision. Every business whether its small or big one, requires Accountancy service and Bookkeeping plays a vital role. Just make sure you are aware with the basic of Bookkeeping software.
Best of luck for your decision. Every business whether its small or big one, requires Accountancy service and Bookkeeping plays a vital role. Just make sure you are aware with the basic of Bookkeeping software. 
