I have only just joined so I thought I would introduce myself quickly.
In 2014 I decided I was no longer happy working in unskilled labour roles with no job prospects so I started to look into the further education I should have looked at when I first left school. At this point I discovered the AAT and decided I did quite like accounting based work so started the AAT level 2 certificate in 2015, since then I have completed levels 2 & 3 and have now moved onto AAT level 4. I moved from my factory roles into an finance role in 2015 and have since moved to another company where I deal with all aspects of the accounts up to year end when the company accountant finalizes everything.
I aim to set up my own bookkeeping business this year as a sideline to my full time job but as this is the first time I have ever attempted to start a business it may take some time (also because it terrifies me), I know it will not be an easy route to take and I will have moments where I could give up but I did have many people tell me I would never complete AAT level 2 and I showed them didn't I lol.
At this moment in time I am still researching all the various aspects of running a bookkeeping business and how I can potentially grow the business in the future but I haven't got anything set in concrete so I hope this forum can provide some occasional help and point me in the right direction.
I'll apologize now for any stupid or repeated questions I may ask but I am mainly a lurker on these type of forums so would rather search the forum for days instead of asking questions.
You're right Johnny, nothing worth the effort is ever easy but the challenge is all part of the fun and don't worry I have many questions lined up I just want to make sure I'm not asking a question that has been asked a thousand times before.
Thank you Debbie, can I ask was it as massive a move as you thought it would be?
Always ask - you get the up to date info, so take great care in relying on some of the older posts on here. Take the last 12months generally as being correct, although even then not for everything (finance act has changed much reccently especially in certain sectors).
Have you gone for the QQTBQ or holding off - it is quite restrictive in terms of what you can offer (rightly so without experience for some) If you can get some of that before you set up, that will help immensely, but you will certainly learn lots doing the job once you have qualified.
Anyway - short one for now - JANUARY is a wee bit busy, hence why its quiet on here at the mo!
Look forward to your Qs.
__________________
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 didn't go for AATQB membership because as you said it is very restrictive in what services you're allowed to offer, my plan is to use my AAT qualification to gain a MIAB membership and a practice license. I did look at just going to HMRC for MLR instead of joining another professional body but I felt this may cause some issues as I cannot mention the AAT to potential clients until I finish level 4 this year (hopefully) and gain MIP status and a practice license in a couple of years, didn't think it would good if I was asked about my training and replied with "well I have been trained but I cannot tell you who by for legal reasons" so by having a practice licence from the IAB it may negate the question all together.
I currently have about 18 months of experience with Sage 50 & Instant which has given me a good grounding for starting up on my own but I am looking into training for Xero & QuickBooks as the only experience of these I have is some promotional videos on YouTube and cloud services seem to be growing in popularity each year. I don't expect this business to grow at a exponential rate in the first few years as I don't want to bite off more than I can handle so it "should" give me enough time to deal with any small issues I come across in the right way and grow my knowledge.
I aim to move onto ATT after I complete my AAT Diploma for a better grounding in tax and then onto CIMA as I enjoy management accounting (also because I want the letters).
