I was a hgv driver until I lost my license recently. I've wanted to retrain in accountancy for years now. I would like to do something like a purchase ledger clerks job. I've enrolled with my local college to do the aat level 2, because I have got no experience whatsoever of bookkeeping or accounts. I should get the course free because I am on benefits, although I will be applying for a student loan to do levels 3&4.
Am I going the right route doing the aat qualification? Or would I be better off trying for the iab/icb qualifications? Also, when would I be thinking of starting to apply for jobs? Would passing level 2 be enough to apply for really entry level jobs? Or do I need to wait until I have level 4?
Ok - not sure if this is a joke post, but - it would depend upon how you lost your license for a start. Police / courts and accountancy are never a good mix. AAT is the route to go down for employment yes.
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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.
I lost my licence for medical reasons, no it's not a troll post. Many thanks for the reply, reading through a few posts on here, it seems that the aat is probably the right choice.
when would you advise starting to apply for the most entry level jobs? I thought about trying for some voluntary work to fill in the first year and give me something on my cv because all of my experience is driving work and I need to add some experience in office work if I want to get a paid job.
As indicated by Johnny you have picked the right qualification so thumbs up to you there.
In general I would say start applying for entry level jobs after level III.
However, the issue that you will have is the experience catch 22 in that employers will not take you on without experience and its difficult to get experience without having an employer. Yes you could go self employed but as you have already identified, you have no prior experience in this field so really you need to spend some time in practice to gain both experience and confidence... Plus of course the ability to move to Member in Practice (MIP) status in order to go self employed.
Now, why you may ask am I advisng you to jump through these hoops in order to go self employed. Well, glad you asked.
You come from an industry that you will know a lot about so it would make a lot of sense for you to concentrate on servicing that sector for starters. My experience is that most HGV drivers are limited companies but the AAT (or any other professional body) will not allow you to prepare accounts for limited companies if you do not have a practice certificate through them and you cannot get a practice certificate from the AAT until you have your level IV and a years signed off experience.
Its worth noting that the AAT does also have a bookkeeping practice certificate but thats not the trpe you need in order to service incorporated entities.
So, game plan.
Do youir level II to make sure that you have the right mindset for this.
Sign up for levels III and IV using the loan.
After level III start applying for any jobs that you can. It's a very competitive market out there with far more bookkeepers than jobs for them (just go on the reed website and look at how many people apply for every relevant role) and many come to the table with prior experience so you may have real difficulty landing the first role.
However, the assumption is that you will land something before completing your level IV. After a year in work get your experience signed off and apply to move up to MAAT and gain MIP status.
Become self employed and concentrate on the industry that you came from.
Be prepared during your studies to find out that some of the things that you took for granted as an HGV driver you were doing wrong. Keep a list of these as these are points that you will use to help others from that industry (and also start making a retiurn from your investment).
Good luck with your AAT studies Jay. In addition to the qualification also ensure that you become a whizz with Sage, Excel and any other software that you can get access to as software knowledge is what differentiates candidates without experience who are applying for jobs.
All the best,
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.
Thanks Shaun, some really good tips there. Finding a good accountant is one of the hardest parts of driving s/e, so working in that sector is something I would like to do. I didn't realize that there were so many hoops to jump through.
Is the acca-x suitable for beginners? The reason I ask is because I have a lot of spare time on my hands now and the aat is only part time, I thought that by doing both that they would compliment each other. I really can't wait to get started with my studies, September seems such a long way away, lol
All the best mate, I hope you have been enjoying the weather, I sure have
ACCA-X is perfect for beginners and in many way it can be a replacement for AAT level II with the added bonus that its free (you still have to pay for membership and exams but not training).
I didn't suggest that as you said that you had already signed up to the AAT level II but certainly doing the free courses now will really help your understanding when you start your AAT studies and you should very much be able to sail through the level II.
Between now and September also try to get on top of Sage and Excel.
You are right on the complexity of the qualifications. It's a complete minefield where it ios very easy to make the wrong move but thats the good thing about AAT in that no matter whether you want to be employed or self employed it is a good qualification to have that will not hold you back.
Wish that I had been out today but its just been one of those Sundays where you ar trying to get ahead of Monday morning.Thats something else about this business. You don't so much earn a living from it as live it.
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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.
There is a newer version but bookkeeping itself never changes so the improvements are in presentation rather than coverage.
You can pick up second hand copies for pennies (plus postage)
It's one of those entry level books that even now I occassionally find myself referring back to as it does seem to cover a lot of the everyday scenarios that one comes accross but other books just gloss over in passing.
It is also an excellent book to read on the run up to AAT levels II and III.
There are other great books out there such as ""Book-keeping and Accounts" by Frank Wood and Shiela Robinson but don't by too many books otherwise you will find yourself not reading any of them. Better to Buy, Read then buy the next than buy too many up front.
HTH,
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.
Many thanks for all your help Shaun, I have ordered both books from Amazon. I totally get your point about ordering too many and never reading any, I've lost count of how many times I've done that, lol. I think there will be enough to keep me going for a while!
Hi Jay
Will be interesting to see which method of learning you prefer. Doing it at college certainly helps you structure your time, as you need to be very strict with yourself when it comes to distance learning. Worst I find is when its exam time - I will do anything and everything instead of revising, even the ironing!! Couldnt tell you how many times I brew up on those days too.
Good luck with your reading before your course starts.
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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
