Hi I'm Jo, I live in Hull and I am looking for someone to possibly be a mentor for me.
I have been reading this forum for some time now and find it brilliant how much information can be gathered on here from very helpful people, so I thought I would finally give it a go and ask for some help myself. I am currently a stay at home Mum to 2 young children and I find myself almost with a little bit of free time, as my eldest is starting school in september and my youngest will be starting nursery in january, woohoo! So I thought I would move onto the next step of my, becoming a bookkeeper, plan.
I have almost completed AAT Level 3 in accounts and plan on moving onto Level 4 at some point in the near future, however I wish to gain some experience in the field of bookkeeping first. My plan is to volunteer as a treasurer somewhere, to gain the hard to find experience, however I don't yet feel fully confident to just unleash myself on some unwitting charity. I therefore would greatly appreciate some help and guidance from an established bookkeeper or accountant in the area to bug from time to time lol. I feel that gathering some practical, hands on knowledge of the profession at this point is a must if I wish to eventually set myself up as a bookkeeper further along the line and it can only help my understanding of level 4 when I do start to study again.
Hi Jo As a fellow Jo I had to answer! Perhaps not in the way you might expect.
Firstly - welcome, finally , to the forum.
Secondly - just an idea,why not use this forum as your mentor. The reason I say that was because that is really what I have done, as well as trying to read extensively as much as I possibly can along the way from other sources/as cpd. I learnt a hell of a lot from this site and still do on a daily basis. I hope, having seen what you have, that you realise you can ask more or less anything and it wont be viewed in any kind of bad light. There is certainly no such thing as a daft question and the only thing we ask for is some kind of acknowledgement that you have read it - a thanks is clearly one type, the other is a healthy debate or just more questioning to gain a greater understanding. The only thing you may have noticed we hate are lazy people who cannot be bothered at least trying to figure something out/have a go - at least in the safety of this forum - even if its then wildly wrong. You will be amazed at how much your knowledge improves by posting on here, as well as viewing from afar.
Indeed I would go so far as to say - have a go at some of the questions which may cover topics you have passed your exams in. Im sure Rafal (Rafapak) will appreciate some help as he moves on to the AAT level 3 over the summer.
Im not Hull based so certainly couldnt meet up in person and just at the moment I couldnt commit to being a mentor to someone even over the phone, but I may be able to assist further down the line if I can free up some time. Although perhaps in the meantime someone from your area will assist. Might be worth allowing the 'PM' facility on your profile page as someone may wish to message you direct rather than posting.
Good luck whichever way you go. Dont be a stranger on here.
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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
Thank you very much for your quick responses Jo and John, it sounds like a good plan. I very much enjoy reading others post on here as a way to top up my knowledge anyway so may as well ask direct questions when i need some help.
I will certainly look to answering other peoples questions too if I feel I can contribute, hopefully I won't sound silly lol.
Thank you again and will probably be posting q's on here as soon as I start volunteering for charity.
Ha, Jo don't worry about feeling silly, I mean....did you see my faux pas the other day 'common people' instead of 'come on people'!!!!!!
Maybe start with a small charity that is really close to home....one of your children's groups if they have one such as a football club etc. That is usually only cash basis double entry, but certainly confidence building. But otherwise dive in as there is always someone on here who can help.
What exams have you got left at level 3?
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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 only have spreadsheets left, hopefully done before start of august as we have a couple of small holidays planned this month and next so just trying to juggle the studying!!
, to the forum.
