Hello - just love this site, so friendly and helpful - seems to be loads of advice and support available.

I'm currently working part-time in accounts for a local authority (have been for the past 16 years, part-time last 3 years) and part-time self employed as a handyman - I know, strange combination! Just didn't have the confidence to do bookkeeping for small businesses and as I was doing DIY for friends and relatives it just seemed the safe route to go. Realised, though, that it's not what I'm best at, I love being my own boss and I love providing a good reliable service to my cutomers but my strengths lie in the bookkeeping/administration field.

No real qualifications apart from A-levels and IAB level 1 in bookkeeping which I did at evening classes - but experience in production, purchasing and sales in the private sector and then bookkeeping and accounts in the public sector. Been doing my own accounts for the last 3 years, including my self assessment return, so I feel ready and fairly confident to take the plunge into working part-time as a self employed bookkeeper - alongside my handyman work initally and definitely alongside my local authority job.

Came across this forum while searching for info about setting up as a self employed bookkeeper and it's been a mine of useful information - thanks.

I know it's not going to be easy getting clients and I've seen the effect the downturn has had on my handyman business but there is work out there and if you're really committed there's a living to be made. I've no doubt you'll be hearing from me when I get my first client....and when I come up against my first problem!