I am new to this forum but I am glad I have discovered it. In a bit of a ponder at the moment as t where I go from here.
I started back in 2012 doing my Level 1 in bookkeeping with the ICB and completed that with a training provider,coming out with a distinction. From there I decided to go on to the Level 2 in Manual bookkeeping with the same provider, however due to circumstances I never completed it. At the beginning of this year it felt right to start it again but I discovered that the courses and the syllabus had changed and as a result I had to purchase the Level 2 again which included Sage 50 professional. Time got away with me and the licence for the Sage 50 expired leaving me with an uncompleted course again.
I am determined now at the age of nearly 40 that its time I got my act together and if I want to become a self employed bookkeeper I need to get qualified.
However, this is where i become a little stuck.
I have been looking in to what the best path to follow is and it appears to me that everyone recommends the AAT course as it gives more scope for finding work and progressing. I understand from what I read that many do not recognise the ICB or IAB.
This is my plan.... to become self employed and look to ideally work from home but would consider working in establishments as a bookkeeper.
What course or pathway would you recommend for what I want to do. Is it viable? I have looked to self study as cost is a factor at the moment as it is for anyone. Is this possible? When I did my level 1 with the training provider, I didn't really feel the need for help from the tutor.
Any comments/advice would be much appreciated. I am 40 in Dec and what to get my butt in to gear!!!
Hi Peaches
Sounds like you have read a few posts on here and therefore a few of the 'arguments' put forward, including the one that shows if you want to get work via Accountants then they do not recognise the ICB, but instead look to AAT qualifications. Given you have done some training why not have a go at the AAT skills test on their website - this would at least give you a steer where you need to start. You are able to self study for the AAT but for a couple of exams you need a training provider as they are marked manually, but you can just get the provider for those modules. If you look at First Intuitions site they offer a variety of courses, if you dont feel the need to attend lectures or an online course they do a 'basics' course which provides all the notes you need including practice questions and mocks with access to a tutor if its required.
__________________
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
Thanks Joanne, so far you are the only one that has replied. I did have a look at the AAT and tried the skills test a while ago. Will attempt it again and see where I am. Not sure of prices, do you know if its expensive. Would prefer to pay in installments. Can I ask how you got where you are?
Thanks Joanne, so far you are the only one that has replied. I did have a look at the AAT and tried the skills test a while ago. Will attempt it again and see where I am. Not sure of prices, do you know if its expensive. Would prefer to pay in installments. Can I ask how you got where you are?
Hi Peaches
No probs. we do get this question quite a lot as you may have seen from your wanderings around the site. Julie makes a good point about the support from workplaces for the fees - only thing I would add is that in certain areas of the country its the chicken and egg situation with Accountancy companies - they want Level 3 or 4 AAT candidates with experience and will fund the next stage eg finishing the AAT or ACCA, but its worth looking at the job adverts in your area. Other thing to consider is a job starting in the accounts department of a large-ish firm as some of them do study support - my neighbour's son works for a rental agency who have funded AAT levels 2 & 3 so far, although last time I heard there was a question mark on Level 4 - its all about what funding they get sometimes.
Other options - get the AAT Osbourne books - link is around somewhere - you can get them from Amazon for pennies. Shout to Shauny- please can you add the link as I know you must have it in your favourites!!!!!!
Have a look at First Intuitions site (bloomin heck I should be on commission the number of times Ive said this on here!! By the way - I am not, they won training provider of the year on here and are lovely peeps!) - they run a variety of options costwise. There are loans available (much like Uni student loans), depending on age etc - worth a look and a call. Dont worry - they arent pushy so will not try to sell you something you dont want!
As for my background - I worked for 28 1/2 years for NatWest - variety of branches and departments in early life, but most of my career as Relationship Exec in Corporate Banking looking after mid and large sized businesses (Turnover £25m /£75m + respectively as rough guide), plus Institutional Banking (universities and the like) and then engineered my escape plan following one year as Relationship Director heading up a team of Stakeholder managers looking after Tesco and Mint in Cards & Direct Finance Division. I started this lark as a hobby (to stop me being a 'lady wot lunches' on a permanent basis) and looking after a friend of a friend who is an ex footballer and still my favourite client. Its just snowballed from there, mostly on the back of recommendations, rather than a strategy to grow my 'business'. Certainly never intended to have a second career, nor indeed a full time (and some) job again!
__________________
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
I don't know anything about the AAT qualifications but have never found being ICB a barrier to getting work. I'm outsourcing to three other bookkeepers at the moment so you can certainly be successful as an ICB member.
The thing to remember if you want to predominantly work from home is that people use people, so regardless of your qualification you need to be a self-starter who can be motivated and do the work. Also being able to chat to anyone is very helpful!
I turned 40 in May, 11 days after having my 3rd daughter so being 40 is no issue - congratulations for the big birthday coming up!!
