Where to start? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

LucyG · Member

Where to start?

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Lucy,

well, you're in the right place to find the mother load of people with parental responsibility trying to build businesses.

It sounds as though you are coming to this with some excellent experience and AAT would be a great choice which also opens up the possibility of enhanced employment prospects later.

Others may also suggest ICB or IAB as the way to go as those are faster routes the next tier down from AAT (which could take two years to complete) but maybe sufficient for your immediate if not long term requirements.

That said, IAB could be a good stepping stone to IFA so another to be considered there.

Tax is often best left to the accountants. Payroll is no biggy so don't let is scare you.

Good software for that would be 12pay that's very reasonably priced.

If you offer services to the public you have to have MLR cover either direct from HMRC or from your professional body.

PII insurance is advisable and could be purchased from Arlington (see links above) for a very reasonable price (the cover is actually Zurich).

The market place in certain parts of the country is very crowded with bookkeepers. I don't know where you are based but as examples, Kris in Ayrshire reports that it's not too bad there but in the Midlands (my area) it seems that huge numbers of white collar redundancies have resulted in almost every other new business being a new bookkeeping practice.

You come to the table with relevant experience which puts you ahead of many who have qualifications alone. However, you will find that many clients are looking for a bookkeeper to be a cheaper accountant and offer the full service including advice which may restrict your client base somewhat.

Parenting and study is worse to my mind than parenting and work but you will adapt to it.

When my boy was very young I quite often read him ACCA manuals as bedtime stories... He had no idea what I was talking about (some might argue that I don't! lol) but the tone of one's voice and the fact that you are there is enough.

If he turns out to be an accountant now I only have myself to blame.

kind regards,

Shaun.

Spamkebab · Expert

Hey Shaun, my mum used to read me bedtime stories but i didn't turn out to be Prince Charming.

Welcome to the forum Lucy,

As for working from home, it may be difficult at first but you will find yourself a routine. It would be hard for anyone on here to suggest such a routine for you as it is your life lol.

Good luck with the studying, which level of AAT were you thinking of starting on? Also, be careful that you don't buy/spend more than you need to pass the exams. (It is easily done)
If you would like any study materials or training providers recommending you only have to ask, although any response from myself may be a bit biased.

Take care,

Neil.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Spamkebab wrote:
Hey Shaun, my mum used to read me bedtime stories but i didn't turn out to be Prince Charming.

Me too... Unfortunately my bedtime stories were from the Brothers Grimm...

crane toad.jpg

Could be worse, I could have been turned into a banker.... Oh, wait!

LucyG · Member

Shamus wrote:
Hi Lucy,

well, you're in the right place to find the mother load of people with parental responsibility trying to build businesses.

It sounds as though you are coming to this with some excellent experience and AAT would be a great choice which also opens up the possibility of enhanced employment prospects later.

Others may also suggest ICB or IAB as the way to go as those are faster routes the next tier down from AAT (which could take two years to complete) but maybe sufficient for your immediate if not long term requirements.

That said, IAB could be a good stepping stone to IFA so another to be considered there.

Tax is often best left to the accountants. Payroll is no biggy so don't let is scare you.

Good software for that would be 12pay that's very reasonably priced.

If you offer services to the public you have to have MLR cover either direct from HMRC or from your professional body.

PII insurance is advisable and could be purchased from Arlington (see links above) for a very reasonable price (the cover is actually Zurich).

The market place in certain parts of the country is very crowded with bookkeepers. I don't know where you are based but as examples, Kris in Ayrshire reports that it's not too bad there but in the Midlands (my area) it seems that huge numbers of white collar redundancies have resulted in almost every other new business being a new bookkeeping practice.

You come to the table with relevant experience which puts you ahead of many who have qualifications alone. However, you will find that many clients are looking for a bookkeeper to be a cheaper accountant and offer the full service including advice which may restrict your client base somewhat.

Parenting and study is worse to my mind than parenting and work but you will adapt to it.

When my boy was very young I quite often read him ACCA manuals as bedtime stories... He had no idea what I was talking about (some might argue that I don't! lol) but the tone of one's voice and the fact that you are there is enough.

If he turns out to be an accountant now I only have myself to blame.

kind regards,

Shaun.

WOW what a quick comprehensive response - thank you!! You've given me hope that this isn't just a pipe dream.

I hadn't heard of the other qualifications - AAT was something that a few people had done in my previous firm (kicking myself for not doing it whilst I was working) Didn't realise AAt could take 2 years to complete but that could fit in quite well around having another little monkey. Where's the best place to find out about courses? Online I guess?

I'm in Suffolk so not sure what the situation is around here with book keepers and I have no idea where to start once I get going - am hoping that my previous firm will help as well as the contacts I had with accountants during that time. But I'm not quite there yet - or would any one suggest not bothering with doing any qualifications due to the experience I have?

LucyG · Member

Spamkebab wrote:
Hey Shaun, my mum used to read me bedtime stories but i didn't turn out to be Prince Charming.

Welcome to the forum Lucy,

As for working from home, it may be difficult at first but you will find yourself a routine. It would be hard for anyone on here to suggest such a routine for you as it is your life lol.

Good luck with the studying, which level of AAT were you thinking of starting on? Also, be careful that you don't buy/spend more than you need to pass the exams. (It is easily done)
If you would like any study materials or training providers recommending you only have to ask, although any response from myself may be a bit biased.

Take care,

Neil.

Thank you for your response Neil. I think maybe a bit of a routine is actually needed here at the moment as I seem to be drifting through our days so it's no bad thing!!

I think I would start at level 2 even though looking at the content I can do most of it but maybe it's best to refresh and have an easy way into study? As well as getting formal qualifications to match up with my experience. Also I think because I'm self taught it would be good to see how to do things properly as my accoutnant boss was always amused with how I got from A to B!!!

What might I end up spending too much on to pass my exams? And why are you biased?

Thank you for your help

Spamkebab · Expert

Hi Lucy,

I paid for 2 complete courses for AAT from Kaplan (It could have been any of the training providers really) and could have passed the exams using only the study texts, revision kits etc. along with the help i have received from the members of this forum.

The difference in price between buying a full course (even if you buy 1 module at a time) and just buying the study material is a good few hundred pounds and the difference is tutor support with the full package. I am only using my experience as an example, but it

is wise to do some shopping about, get an idea of which qualification you are aiming for first.

Some AAT exams have to be purchased through a training provider as they are marked internally by that provider but i think there are only 2 of those between level 3 and 4.

BPP sell a revision companion book which is worth buying, you can test yourself or teach yourself and see whether you are comfortable starting at level 2 or maybe higher.

Hopefully Shaun will read this and post the ISBN number for the book, for you to take a look at. (I do have the book myself, i have loaned it out and can't even remember the full title lol)

As for being biased, I have used Kaplan for AAT since day one. The study texts alone have given me enough knowledge to pass exams, with lots of workings for you to do they are really good.

I'm not too sure how IAB and ICB training works, but there are many other members of these bodies on this forum that would love to help you out. (I just love volunteering people)

Neil

LucyG · Member

oh thanks for that - so I could do the exam and not pay for the tuition and self study as it were? That sounds like it might be an option particularly with level 2 which covers a lot I've already done - and I was quite shocked at the prices I've seen so far. I think I'm leaning towards AAT but looks like I've got a bit more research to do as yet!!

EagleEducation · Senior Member

Hi Lucy. If you go onto the AAT website they have a find a training provider search engine. Do your research. Good training providers really can make a difference to your learning experience. At eagle we have many students that tell us so :). That's it from me for now-not well and feeling very sorry for myself :( good luck!

LucyG · Member

Thanks EE - hope you are feeling better.

I think I have a plan to study Level 2 AAT between now and September when my little boy will go to preschool and I will hopefully have some time to myself to start taking on clients (or be having another baby if that's the way we decide to go). I figure with the experience I have and the knowledge from that I should be able to do basic books and I'm not going to be able to afford to do all of the levels without earning some money.

does that sound feasible? Still researching but that is the outline of my plan so far

Sammy76 · Senior Member

Hi Lucy

I was also trained 'on the job' and had no formal qualifications. I also have a young family, 3 boys aged 6,4 and 2, and have been working around them for the last two years. I got myself PII and am registered through HMRC for MLR.

I am also doing AAT and like you, despite already having all the knowledge, have started on Level 2, mainly as I've never done anything about the working ethics etc which it covers, plus I thought I'd need to start with the Basic Costings so I can eventually go on to offer Management accounts. Although I have to say the Basic costing module is so so easy. I don't advertise that I am doing AAT, but as I pass the levels I will just increase the services I can offer. I also don't offer any Tax advice and will often refer people to the accountants I do work for.

I work in the evenings, mostly, and also on a Monday (soon to be changed to Friday) when my eldest two are at school and my youngest is at pre-school. Over the two years my business has been growing, and I am now earning a steady amount each month, which will increase as my son's pre-school hours increase. I do sometimes work with the kids around, for instance on a Sunday morning, or like this week as its half term, especially when I have a deadline to meet. It just takes a bit longer to do things due to interruptions but it is manageable. I sometimes set them up with stuff to do up the table with me and they pretend they are working too. I still don't think they really believe I actually have a job though lol (actually take that back, my eldest just came up for a cuddle and said 'you're doing work aren't you?')

So far it has been quite good and I am really enjoying working for myself, as I get to spend holidays with my kids (today is an exception as I have a deadline Wednesday lol), and do all the school runs, and watch all the school assemblies etc, which my parents never got to do due to working full time.

I am doing my AAT through Premier Training who have been fantastic :D

LucyG · Member

Thanks for that Sammy - you sound like you are doing exactly the thing I'm aiming for (although think we will be stopping at two children if that!!! lol!). I'm lucky that I'm a stay at home mum at the moment and we can afford for me to be for a while - things are tight but manageable - but I'm getting a bit bored and want to start using my brain before it disappears completly. Leading onto earning some money from home seems to be a win win as there is always the school holidays to think about isn't there if you go out to work.

thank you so much for you post - it's nice to know it can be done

Princess · Senior Member

Hi Lucy

I have just finished my AAT exams and have a young son. I did most of the studying in the evenings and it took me a year (aim for two exams a month at level 2 and then 1 or 2 at the other levels). I bought the study material and just bought the units that have to be marked manually from BPP. It can be done if you bully yourself into working at every possible time you can. If you have experience you should be fine. The BPP books were great and the online questions were very similar to the actual exams. I also worked part time in the tax department of a local accountancy firm during school hours to get some experience which was a really good idea, I learnt a lot there.

Like you say, working from home gives you the opportunity to be there for your child, they are only little once. I was working full time before and took him to school 3 times in his reception year. What sort of life is that?!

Good luck.

LucyG · Member

Thanks for that Princess - it's lovely to hear people doing what I hope to get doing. I'm dreading my little one being in school already so can't imagine leaving him all day but needs must sometimes eh? But it's great if you can find a way that suits everyone.

How did you find out about doing the AAT - did you contact AAT or BPP?

Shaun did you have the ISBN number for the book referred to above? or a title?

LucyG · Member

One more question - sorry - can I ask how much it's cost you to study for level 2 - just doing it yourself? And how do I find out about it - I'm so confused?!

LucyG · Member

Anyone?

daz28 · Member

Lucy, if you just studying by yourself and sitting just the exams it should cost you a lot, because all you need few books and thats all. Also you will have to pay for the exams which are £70+ . Not sure about the AAT membership, you might need to be registered with them and pay the membership which will be £70+. I remember when i did in the college, tutors were crap and we had to pay for the course around £500 per level. it used to p*** us off because we were paying and not getting proper tutoring. Level 2 is the easiest 3rd and 4th are nightmare. Best of luck!

Spamkebab · Expert

I disagree, levels 3 and 4 are not a nightmare.

I'd say you could expect to pay anything up to £50 for level 2 exams.

Try having a look on the Kaplan Financial, Eagle Education and Premier Training websites for prices. You may be as well Phoning Eagle and Premier for a chat.

Good luck,

Neil.

Rhianrach · Expert

Spamkebab wrote:
I disagree, levels 3 and 4 are not a nightmare.

I'd say you could expect to pay anything up to £50 for level 2 exams.

Try having a look on the Kaplan Financial, Eagle Education and Premier Training websites for prices. You may be as well Phoning Eagle and Premier for a chat.

Good luck,

Neil.

I have to agree in part (I haven't bothered with level 4 yet until I gain a bit more experience), but level 3 was enjoyable, pretty hard but enjoyable.

Spamkebab · Expert

Oh i didn't say they aren't challenging Steve. I actually believe that i missed out on a job because the interviewer said something like:

You do know level 4 is a massive step up from level 3, most people don't go on to do level 4. I replied that i expect level 4 to be 'different' from 3

but nothing that isn't do-able, and personally i couldn't see the point of doing half a qualification.

They would not back down on the massive step up part, they had staff who had stopped studying because of the pressure. I wouldn't

back down and still maintain the level is different and therefore incomparable. Of course you expect to have to up your game and work harder

the more rungs you climb on a ladder the more you have to use your muscles.

I may email the saddo employer who missed out on a bright shining star, just to say i told you so lol.

I can't see how anybody like yourself, with experience and a chance to gain more experience will not fly through the level,

There's only 5 exams to sit Steve, go on dude you can do it, kick it's hairy butt.

Neil.

LucyG · Member

Thanks - I contacted Premier Training and they quoted me over £600 to do the course and said I couldn't do it self study as I needed to be registered with training provider for AAT registration? I think I need to call Kaplan as it looks like that is my local training centre