Afternoon.
I have read and re-read all your detailed fors and against for which body to go with but still not sure which is the best for me.
As background I have not got any professional experience in bookkeeping but have volunteered and previously looked after the books for a juniors football club and brownie pack so sort of know what needs to go where on a simple basis. I am hitting 50 and so looking in to a change of career that will take me to retirement age and beyond hopefully. So I have been looking at bookkeeping as it is something that really interests me. As I see it with a bit of experience I would like to end up as self-employed doing hours to suit me whether that be more than my current part time or more - it will be my choice. So my aim is bookkeeping and payroll.
I have looked at ICB, AAT and IAB. This is where it loses me as do all the courses and qualifications of these bodies go in to the same depth and cover the same areas. I say I want to stop at bookkeeping but I also want to study the one that gives me the most information and knowledge.
There is a huge variant in prices and if they all go in to the same depth then it would be going down the middle with the most recommended provider. I hope what I am trying to get at makes sense.
I look forward to your advice.
Sue
Hi Sue
Welcome.
They don't all provide the same training and are not equal. What you need to consider is what you will get as the end game.
ICB exams are not recognised given by the NQF.
AAT is more widely recognised by the people you will get referrals from, or gives you the opportunity to work as employee both in practice and in companies.
When you say stop at bookkeeping you really need to define this. Bookkeeping historically stops at Trial Balance, so if you were to stop there feasibly you could only really work with Limited companies as most sole traders and partnerships want a one stop shop (but they also want tax advice, which is not really covered sufficiently by any of the three you listed and would then recommend you also look at the ATT). Stopping at TB can provide a good living though, so you could realistically go for the AATQB qualification, which stops at level 3. Or just go a wee but futher and do the level 4 so you can look after a broader range of clients (eventually, when you have their practice licence)
AAT every time!!!
Mr Moderator, wondering if we can add something as a sticky as I'm getting bored of answering the same such question, although wether anyone would read it is another issue. Perhaps we could put something together, allow no additional comments and the link can then just be tagged on each new post? Although then that means we miss out on saying hello I guess. Sorry Sue, not directed at you but if I could have a pound for every time we answered this then I could give up my day job!!!
__________________
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
free training materials is a sticky and even though it has receieved a lot of hits there has been no serious reduction in the number of people asking questions whose answers lie burried within it.
I think that the main thing about these ones is that it's often a future contributors first post on the site so quite nice to give them a welcome even though we may end up repeating ourselves espchially around the line that for general recognition and an all round quality platform to launch your career then as you (we) so often guide people, AAT is the place that they want to be.
kindest regards,
Mr. Moderator :)
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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.
Thank you very much for your in depth reply. You have underlined the way I was thinking and given me more food for thought. I just wanted to confirm that all courses covered the same subjects and in the same depth or whether any one course was better than the other.
Now off to find providers and fees.
Once again many thanks your reply was very helpful.
free training materials is a sticky and even though it has receieved a lot of hits there has been no serious reduction in the number of people asking questions whose answers lie burried within it.
I think that the main thing about these ones is that it's often a future contributors first post on the site so quite nice to give them a welcome even though we may end up repeating ourselves espchially around the line that for general recognition and an all round quality platform to launch your career then as you (we) so often guide people, AAT is the place that they want to be.
kindest regards,
Mr. Moderator :)
Must find it and did it to my faves
__________________
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
From the qualification bodies you mention only ICB & IAB will satisfy your preference of studying both bookkeeping & payroll. These organisations will also cover you for the completion accounts (P&L a/c and Balance Sheets) for sole traders and ICB will also cover you for the completion of accounts for Partnerships & Not for Profit organisation. You can even complete and submit Micro Entity accounts if qualified under the ICB FRS105 qualification.
A very good living can be made when practicing under these organisations and you'll certainly have the flexible career that you crave. If you talk to different providers some will offer you different levels of support, some even continuing that support beyond study when you make the transition into practice.
Good luck with whatever route you take.
-- Edited by Brian McVean on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 11:13:01 PM
From the qualification bodies you mention only ICB & IAB will satisfy your preference of studying both bookkeeping & payroll. These organisations will also cover you for the completion accounts (P&L a/c and Balance Sheets) for sole traders and ICB will also cover you for the completion of accounts for Partnerships & Not for Profit organisation. You can even complete and submit Micro Entity accounts if qualified under the ICB FRS105 qualification.
A very good living can be made when practicing under these organisations and you'll certainly have the flexible career that you crave. If you talk to different providers some will offer you different levels of support, some even continuing that support beyond study when you make the transition into practice.
Good luck with whatever route you take.
-- Edited by Brian McVean on Tuesday 4th of July 2017 11:13:01 PM
You can make a better living with the higher qualification Sue IE AAT. Then either farm out your payroll to a white label provider or do it as a separate module or full qualification. Or teach yourself. Payroll is a pain since AE.
