I am in discussions with my business adviser about starting up my own bookkeeping business.
I have my AAT II and have just applied to the ICB for the AIAB but may be granted MIAB status as I completed the OU Financial Accounting module B291.
I would like to meet with an experienced accountant that will support me when in doubt and that will be happy to confirm my experience for my MAAT next year.
If there is someone that is able to help, I hope to arrange a monthly fee for a few hours guidance per month or even on a weekly/fortnightly basis.
I am located in the Enfield En3 area but am close to Cheshunt, Essex and the M25 (junction 25) and willing to travel.
Just to confirm your AAT 2 qual'd... but your hoping to get MAAT next year? My assumption was you had to level 4 qualified before you could apply for this..?
its doable, especially if someone has gone through B291/B292 which is a pretty intense course covering the bulk of AAT in a short period (under 12 months). That course, like B680 before them is a bit of a hidden gem as far as accountancy learning goes... Shame that the OU have become so ridiculously expensive as the certificate in accounting will now set you back the same as AAT!
If you think that there's 20 months to the end of next year and Chans already got the level II and has basically done the AAT once (except tax) then I would say that its not as outlandish as it sounds at first reading.
I've certainly heard of people doing AAT end to end in 18 months and Chans got a head start on that.
kind regards,
Shaun.
-- Edited by Shamus on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 05:07:44 PM
__________________
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.
Does that last post go off screen for anyone else?
Seems to be caused by Chans post going off screen.
Most unusual.
Is there anything strange about how you are posting Chan? (phone, tablet, non standard browser, etc.)
__________________
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.
As Shamus mentioned, as I am AAT Level II the IAB have said I am able to be a member as an AIAB. I originally started with the OU with the intention of gaining the Professional Certificate in Accounting (B291+B292) but can not afford to take the B292 just yet., as it costly and I am studying the AAT III Fast-Track (finish in December). This means that I will be able to start my Level 4 in 2015.
The B291 Financial Accounting module is intense! It covers many things all in IAS and is detailed. When I first contacted the IAB and they recognised the module alone, I was really pleased as the assignments are not easy and I sat a 3 hour final exam.
Does that last post go off screen for anyone else?
Seems to be caused by Chans post going off screen.
Most unusual.
Is there anything strange about how you are posting Chan? (phone, tablet, non standard browser, etc.)
Hi Shamus
I am using google chrome and the forum looks perfect my end. I'm not sure what settings could be affecting my browser.
I studied my level 2 AAT at a FE College and was not aware until my 1st AAT magazine came through that there are so many study options. Studying with an FE College meant many holidays and much time off hence now I am with a private provider doing classroom based learning in a shorter time frame. Bingo
I did the original B680 back in 2002/3 and think that it was an abaolutely excellent introduction to accounting.
It was bigger back then. Still with the equivalents of B291 and B292 but there was a third part to the original covering marketing, human resources, the business environment, statistical analysis etc. which do not seem to have been carried over to the new certificate in accounting which is a shame.
I remember at the start of B680 being told that we needed to alocate about 12 hours a week to our studies. I got all worried as I was averaging 25 hours just to keep up with the time table but then found that everyone in my group was putting in the same sort of hours and the course tutor confirmed that he was fully qualifiesd CIMA and even he couldn't do the study in the time frame that the OU projected for the course.
I think that you should knock B292 on the head as the costing and budgeting side of things is much more intense than the financial accounting side of thing and AAT will cover all of that material and give a more recognised qualification anyway.
However, by starting with B291 you have given yourself one of the best possible starts that has really put you ahead of the game and given you great foundations no matter which direction that you decided to progress in.
Just a shame that the OU decided to make those courses so expensive.
Not sure myself whats gone wrong with this thread. Fingers crossed its just an anomaly rather than a fault on the site.
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.
So interesting to hear that you did Accounting with OU as well. I definitely recommend it as a starting point to anyone looking for a distance learning course in the field.
I had a look at the B292 syllabus to see if it would 'fit in' to my course of study and it just doesn't. As my Bio/Profile thing says I am just more of a financial brain than a management one.
What exactly is it that you want from mentoring? There is this forum (Shaun is mentor to us all!), there is the UK Business Accounts forum and the AAT forum. I assume there is an IAB forum.
Commercial mentors (those who charge a fee) include Seahorse UK, and http://www.onepageprofile.co.uk/people/philhendy/.
There is a low cost bookkeeping franchise which I believe includes mentoring http://www.workasabookkeeper.com/
I am not endorsing any of these, just found them in my wanders around the internet.
I think it's more knowing that I have the support of someone in person.
This forum most definitely provides me with the feeling of community, however having a mentor that I can 'check in' with would also be of great value to me.
I am going to have a look at the links you provided. Thanks
We can work on a pay as you go basis or come up with a bespoke package for your needs. We have worked with many accountants and bookkeepers to get them started or to grow their practice. If you want to give us a call on 01268 888451 we can give you a free consultation to see if we are suitable to work together.
