I have worked as a book-keeper for most of my adult life, both in private businesses and in accountancy practice and have about 25 years experience. I passed my AAT qualification way back in the late 90s but allowed my membership to lapse. I already work 20 hours a week in a well paid secure job which I am not intending to leave but I have the chance to do a couple of self employed jobs as well. This would give me a little extra cash doing something that I really love doing. Over time I might look for more work.
I have read up on MLR and done some research on insurances. One of the jobs that I am considering already have their own Sage system, the other is very small and does everything on spreadsheets at the moment. I would probably use the free HMRC software for the payroll (4 employees). Is there anything else that I need to think about?
Hi. My 2p.
MLR - Definite must have.
Insurance - advisable
Being a member of an institute - helps you by keeping you up-to-date.
HMRC software is good to start with, if / when your business grows, invest in 3rd party software (My opinion). Might be a good time to learn about the cloud software, due to upcoming changes.
__________________
Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
sounds as though you have done all of the right things, have all of the right experience and are approaching this move completely sensibly. Well done you. Very much looking forwards to chatting as you progress your business development.
For payroll take a look at 12pay. free version for starters (although you won't be able to print Payslips with that), which is much better than the HMRC software.
We've had a debate about cloud software and whilst any software is a good idea to learn how to use I do not see the proposed changes in the same way as Johnny and I do not expect needing to use cloud based solutions as ever being an essential part of anything.
As you will note its a devisive subject with people on both sides of the fence with strongly held beliefs that the other side is completely wrong about what the future holds.
Its an interesting debate but I certainly wouldn't give up your desktop version of Sage as that (like VT Transaction+) is going nowhere... Unfortunately Intuit seem to have drank the cloudy coolaid so cannot say the same for them... Sure that they'll be back as their market share dwindles.
__________________
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.
Thanks both, useful info. I have picked up some really good advice on here already and will continue to read up on new developments like the latest software.
I have looked at the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers but there is a lot to think about, I dont think I would get an exemption solely based on the job I am doing at the moment.
Whats the point in looking at ICB? Would you not be better to go for MAAT MIP?
__________________
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.
Stick with the AAT. There is plenty of CPD on there website for those who may need to refresh there knowledge. In my opinion, use your AAT qualifications to gain entry to the IAB -
__________________
Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
Ditto what the boys say....stick with AAT. In fact with your background you may be able to get some supervision so you can go for MIP status relatively quickly. Certainly no point paying out for ICB, better off just paying your MLR fee to HMRC and saving yourself a boat load of hassle.
Don't forget to register as self employed yourself.
On the 12 pay producing no payslips, neither does HMRC basic tools, but 12 pay is much better and you can always then upgrade to full version when you get a few more clients.
__________________
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
It may be worth looking at payroo for now. I've never used it myself but seen it recommended a few times. It's free up to 9 employees and produces payslips
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
This is the same thing that you did last year in this thread : http://www.book-keepers.org.uk/t60178853/bookkeeping-courses/
Here's a reminder of my response in that thread :
Hi Jannike,
bit naughty that you are stating something as a fact via a webinar rather than joining in a discussion that may disagree with your advice (we have a lot of disagreements over that advice on this site).
However, I've glanced at your site which seems to be suggesting AAT as the route to take if you want to be a bookkeeper which I would tend to agree with (cry havoc and let slip the ICB training companies, lol).
Your prices seem in a similar ballpark to the likes of Premier, First Intuition, Eagle, Ideal, etc.
Also nice to see that you are also pushing ACCA and CIMA.
Good luck with your business,
kind regards,
Shaun.
p.s. whilst this one is OK please refrain from advertising and try to be like the Premier and First Intuition providers who gain students by answering technical questions in relation to tax and accounting on the site (The Premier and First intuition guys are ICAEW, AAT and ACCA so to give credibility to any advice that you offer it might also be an idea to give us a little background about yourself).
Special emphasis there on the P.S.
You did not respond to the previous message.
You have not given any technical advice in the last year, or given any details of your own qualifications in order to gain credibility on the site.
You also expect people to enter their details to get to this video rather than making it freely available on a platform such as YouTube.
This site is not a free advertising platform or source for harvesting email addresses.
Consider this a yellow card.... You don't get a second one.
__________________
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 am very new here and also considering self employment. I have been in touch with AAT as my membership is very much lapsed, there is a form you fill in requesting to rejoin, t=you need to tick certain boxes and show up to date cpd and of course send a cheque.
