Following on from a question that I posted on another forum on here I have now been doing a lot of thinking regarding services that I would hope to offer in the future. Currently I am working my way through AAT Level 4 and my two options units are Business and Personal Tax. Business Tax has been passed and I hope to receive a pass for Personal Tax in a few weeks.
Although I have gained knowledge through study I would like to gain practical experience also and I don't feel that study is enough for the real world. How do people get on after their studies in terms of practical experience if you are a self employed Bookkkeeper. Eventually I would like to offer further services to clients but cannot do that until I feel I am fully competent and confident.
Yes I am self employed working up to Trial Balance. I worked in an accounts department previously doing Sales/Purchase Ledger, Payroll, Credit Contol and vat returns. I just wonder how I will gain practical experience after my studies.
-- Edited by Nikole on Thursday 27th of April 2017 11:32:39 AM
I thought you were Nikole but then thought I might have people mixed up!
I would've suggested you trying to get a couple of years in an Accountancy practice but if you are pretty much full time self employed then something would have to give with your clients to get you that kind of experience.
Other option might be getting a supervising Accountant, so someone who will overdue your work for a fee, or, more likely, you doing a pile of stuff for them for free. Do you have some friendly approachable Accountants that you already work alongside as you have say mutual clients who you could have an informal chat with? Would have to say the best way for that to work though is one where you would agree not to go beyond TB for said mutual clients and realistically one who is not in your area so you won't be poaching directly off them.
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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
I get on well with one of my clients accountants so I am thinking that I could possibly ask him to let me do some of his work for free. I'll obviously have to ask him to put his faith in me not to poach any work beyond what I currently do with our Client. (Not that I would anyway)
Hopefully he will say yes to me or else I'm stumped.
I definitely couldn't go it alone. I'm a panicker so would constantly be worrying and whatever job I'm doing would probably take me 10 times longer. I don't mind working for free until I'm fully up to scratch. I was looking through my AAT level 3 study books last night and there is so much that I have learnt that I still need to gain practical experience with. Feeling optimistic though :)
