Starting Salaries for All around Accounts Assistant to Trial Balance - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Alison · Senior Member

Starting Salaries for All around Accounts Assistant to Trial Balance

jpf · Member

Hi Alison

I have no knowledge of salary rates in the sector but we all know that the job market is bad so perhaps companies feel they can offer what they like. I guess the difference between £14,000 and £18,000 is probably about £250 a month after deductions. It is enough to make a difference but if you want money coming in and the £14,000 salary is there.

A lot of people would accept the job and subsequently turn it down if the £18,000 job was offered. Justification to yourself might be that the people offering £14,000 were taking the mickey a bit so don't have any qualms about leaving them in the lurch. As things are it's every person for themselves.

In my former career I was recently made redundant (private sector) twice in approx one year. Nobody does anyone any favours. I have former colleagues in Local Government who are going through a process of salary reduction (£35,000 salaries perhaps falling below £30,000). They are outraged by this. I look at them and think to myself - at least you still have a job.

Hope all this makes sense. I just don't think it's about the precise salary on offer at the moment or what is fair - if you want a job and one is offered I'd grab it.

Jonathan

Alison · Senior Member

HI Jonathan

Thanks for the advise.

I am not very good at making decisions, it is just that have been self employed for 3 and 1/2 years, clients have halved so not enough hours now but will be keeping on remaining clients as well as any full time job I get, it is just difficult decision to make because if the recession suddenly ends and the clients who left me to do own bookkeeping to keep their overheads down because of the recession and their reduced income they may come back to me and the chance to get new clients when more businesses open.

Wish I could see into the future and know when the world is going be back to normal and no risk of another recession for many a year.

Alison

jpf · Member

Hi Alison

I'm the same -not very good at decisions. I worked as a surveyor in the residential sector (signing off all those mortgage valuations wrapped up in the personal debt problems that have wrecked our economy). I had an idea that eventually, to supplement my pension and remain active, I'd learn bookkeeping. Redundancy plus health issues mean I won't work as a surveyor again. Bring forward the bookkeeping I thought. Trouble is (thanks to this forum) I've realised that every man and his dog is trying to be a self employed bookkeeper so, though I'm going to finish training, I'm not convinced I'll ever find any work/clients. Fortunately I'm just about solvent until my pension kicks in about 8 years from now when I'm 60. My luxury is that I can follow my bookkeeping idea (or anything else that occurs to me) and see what happens.

For someone wanting paid employment right now with a job on offer I think I'd take it. You win both ways. If the better paid job never is offered then you decided right. If the better paid job is offered then if you choose to take it then you argue that a lot of others would do just the same or you decide not to let the people who are taking you on at £14,000 down you know that morally you've done the right thing.

All easy to say when the decision isn't mine.

Jonathan

Amanda · Expert

Hi Alison,

I would take it and look at it as a tempory job, although the money isn't great, if your area isn't great for jobs and you need to work full-time then have a go. I worked part-time school hours a few days a week in an office and was self empolyed to them and had sole traders etc to do at home on the other days, the only thing I found was it was difficult to answer accountants questions especially on year end, I had to wait till I got home with the kids after school. Also I have a couple of cleints that I have to see once a month so organising them for my days off wasn't easy. Thats the only down side I can think of.

I am fortunate that I live in the South and the area I live in there is quite abit of work so have enough clients now to work from home all the time, (gave up the office job a few months ago), and can only do part-time as I have kids. When they get older I will look for more.

When you business picks up again which I sure it will then you can go and get more clients, I'm sure it won't be long until we are out of the recession. Its a new year soon!!!

regards

A

Alison · Senior Member

HI Amanda

Thanks for the reply.

I have had a chat with my mother-in-law as still not decided, she was saying that because of the location it is a long time travelling and quite costly to travel and that the salary is not what I want she was pointing out that it was unlikely I would enjoy the job especially because I don't want to give up the clients I got. She was pointing out that maybe better I got something part time instead to fit around the clients work so not to work all hours.

Thanks

Alison

Alison · Senior Member

Hi

After a lot of indecisiveness have now accepted the job after initially turning the job down, because they increased the starting salary.

Start next Monday.

Thanks for all your advice.

Alison