I am new to the forum, so will tell you a little bit about my book keeping training and background first
I did a self home study general book keeping course about 13 years ago - paper, double entry system etc - didn't finish the course due to children
Until January this year I worked in a school and since January have gone to work for a newly established company - they have two companies they have started up
My job is to do the books and the payroll, but I am new to it all and learning on the job - thank goodness for a great relationship with the accountant.
Yesterday my boss emailed me asking if I would like to do a course (IAB) Book keeping and payroll by Home learning college
It looks good - but would like to have your thoughts to if I should look at other courses too and if so which ones?
Thanks in advance
-- Edited by SWC on Wednesday 8th of April 2015 08:30:50 AM
Personally I wouldnt touch Home Learning college with a bargepole. Very very very expensive compared to others and if you dont sign up they lurk and keep calling you. If you have a delve round some of the threads on here there are lots of comments about payroll course with a few who have been on the bookkeeping/accounting scene for years even taking up the cheap PAYROLL courses from Groupon. Personally Im self taught having done the payroll at my Dad's company at the age of 16 and coming back to doing it as a bookkeeper a couple of years ago, but a course is the easiest route.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Home Learning Centre (HLC) are a total nightmare - They have no prices on their website - so that tells you everything !!!! I made the mistake of asking for a price on a course and had high pressure selling - followed by an emailed invoice for the cost of the course !!!!! I believe also that the ICB have ditched them and they are now the preferred supplier (distance learning) of the IAB - so not sure what thats all about !!
You are so lucky to have a job and your employer wishing to train you - its a fantasy of a lot on here !!! I would have a look at Training Link, Ideal Schools, Woodgrove and Premiere. Most peeps on here think the best qualification for employed folks is the AAT.
They've been offering IAB for a fair while now. About 8/9 years ago I decided to take up one of their bookkeeping courses whilst I once in my first/second job role doing accounts. I'd already signed up then a few days later mentioned to the firm's accountant that I would be doing a bookkeeping course to get my IAB, he'd never heard of them and I thought oh! An internet search revealed some right horror stories with HLC and so I cancelled it within my cooling off period. Think it was just over £2000 payable monthly. To be fair there wasn't too much hassle about cancelling once they knew I was sticking to my guns.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
actually, I don't know where you heard that but I think that you'll find that it was the other way around.
I'm not defending HLC but just trying to keep things fair.
Same story last year with Premier, they just felt that their focus should be AAT so stopped offering the ICB qualification.
HLC now basically have the IAB market pretty much cornered. I'm not sure thats a good thing as with HLC being so expensive that is surely going to see people who are choosing ICB rather than IAB... Maybe HLC is still working with the ICB in a roundabout way, lol.
Anyway, all very good news for Ideal and TL
As an aside, It seems that some training providers have replaced IAB and ICB with the AAT bookkeeping course (i.e. Premier, First Intuition and Eagle education. And others such as Ideal offer it along side ICB).
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.
I had two big burly blokes sitting in my house for a couple of hours - they wouldnt go until I signed. I threatened to call the police in the end as they were practically demanding money with menaces! I was hounded for months! Maybe saw me as an easy target as a girlie!
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Ooooh Jo, not a pleasant experience I bet. Mine was a "girly" and She didn't really need to give me the hard sell, but I'm glad I was able to get back out of it.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
I had two big burly blokes sitting in my house for a couple of hours - they wouldnt go until I signed. I threatened to call the police in the end as they were practically demanding money with menaces! I was hounded for months! Maybe saw me as an easy target as a girlie!
Good grief, what sort of thugs are they employing.
