Home Learning Accountancy Course Question

Truegho

To boost my career prospects, I am contemplating whether I should do computerised (Sage) book-keeping course with the Home Learning College. However, I have a few questions which I hope somebody may be able to answer. They are:

1. Being unemployed, could I not get any financial help with this course?
2. On completion of the Sage Computerised Book-Keeping Course, what are my chances of getting a job in accountancy (I have loads of admin experience but no actual accountancy experience)
3. Is the AAT Level 1 also a good course to take?
4. Would the Sage Payroll Home Learning Course boost my career prospect too?

I hope somebody can answer these questions for me.

Thanks
Job Hunter

Anihilator

Truegho wrote: »

To boost my career prospects, I am contemplating whether I should do computerised (Sage) book-keeping course with the Home Learning College. However, I have a few questions which I hope somebody may be able to answer. They are:

1. Being unemployed, could I not get any financial help with this course?
2. On completion of the Sage Computerised Book-Keeping Course, what are my chances of getting a job in accountancy (I have loads of admin experience but no actual accountancy experience)
3. Is the AAT Level 1 also a good course to take?
4. Would the Sage Payroll Home Learning Course boost my career prospect too?

I hope somebody can answer these questions for me.

Thanks
Job Hunter

The courses are helpful but I would suggest more in keeping with people already with finance experience looking to further there career at a professional level.

Sage is easily trained to people and wouldnt be a major incentive alone to get a job.

AAT isnt likely to be much good before you have a relevent job.

Job centre might pay it to a degree but its entirely discretionary.

In your case once again your refusing to deal with the issue and that is you. You cant get an office job therefore you wont get an accountancy job simply by doing a sage course. Its not exactly a skill in short supply.

dmg24

Does your local college not offer any suitable courses? These are more likely to be free than a HLC course.

jessoir

I have done AAT Foundation and am currently studying the intermediate level and i have found it to be a really good course although quite hard. I work in sales admin not accountancy but am looking at changing departments at work.

To gain experience in accounts whilst you learn you could volunteer at a charity to help their accounts or apply for a trainee job in accounts. The wages are low at the start but i guess a low wage is better than no wage!

I think the problem with the sage course is that not all companies use the same accounts software program so you would limit the places where you would work anyway.

Hope this helps x

wannaberich1

DON'T USE HOME LEARNING COLLEGE... THEY ARE USELESS... I'M STUDYING with them at the moment and they are so bad..

use Kaplan or someone like that

trixietoes

I am studying (along with my OU) levels 1, 2 & 3 Bookkeeping with Ideal Schools. I signed up for all 3 at the same time, pay by DD and have 2 years to complete it.

They are good, the cheapest and have a good reputation, plus their courses are recognised too.

I know OU do one bookkeeping course (not sure about it, you'd have to read the website) BUT they do offer financial assistance for the course and books to people earning below a certain amount.

mackem86

Truegho wrote: »

To boost my career prospects, I am contemplating whether I should do computerised (Sage) book-keeping course with the Home Learning College. However, I have a few questions which I hope somebody may be able to answer. They are:

1. Being unemployed, could I not get any financial help with this course?
2. On completion of the Sage Computerised Book-Keeping Course, what are my chances of getting a job in accountancy (I have loads of admin experience but no actual accountancy experience)
3. Is the AAT Level 1 also a good course to take?
4. Would the Sage Payroll Home Learning Course boost my career prospect too?

I hope somebody can answer these questions for me.

Thanks
Job Hunter

I currently teach the AAT to adult learners at a college.

1. If you studied at a college your fees would be waived - not sure how you stand on home learning courses

2. One of the girls we teach on the first year has just gained a job so it does happen.

3. There isn't actually a Level 1 AAT qualification yet (its in the pipe line) the sage computerised bookkeeping course is something different. The AAT starts off at Level 2 and it'll be called a diploma now - the standards are changing.

4. Having the AAT is no bad thing, and there are always jobs available in finance

olly300

Truegho wrote: »

To boost my career prospects, I am contemplating whether I should do computerised (Sage) book-keeping course with the Home Learning College. However, I have a few questions which I hope somebody may be able to answer. They are:

1. Being unemployed, could I not get any financial help with this course?
2. On completion of the Sage Computerised Book-Keeping Course, what are my chances of getting a job in accountancy (I have loads of admin experience but no actual accountancy experience)
3. Is the AAT Level 1 also a good course to take?
4. Would the Sage Payroll Home Learning Course boost my career prospect too?

I hope somebody can answer these questions for me.

Thanks
Job Hunter

If you type up your CV, make lots of copies, get a list of addresses of Accountancy practises from the yellow pages in your area, put on presentable clothes and go around them asking for work leaving them a copy of your CV you are likely to end up with a job.

Newbiesw

Oh dear !
Just found myself in the same situation as Truegho.
Lots of payroll experience, none on Sage, every employer seems to want Sage experienced so am bordering on signing up with Home Learning college for Sage payroll....until I read this Thread, now I'm confused !!!
Does this mean their courses and ICB diploma will mean nothing, except a smaller bank account for me ???

Newbiesw

jessicamb

AAT is more useful in career development than a Sage course if you want to go on to full accounting qualifications I think. Have a look at job sites and see if any jobs you would go for are demanding the courses - thats one way of telling if the course will do you any good. I use https://www.gaapweb.com to search for accountancy jobs.

stockport

mackem86 wrote: »

I currently teach the AAT to adult learners at a college.

1. If you studied at a college your fees would be waived - not sure how you stand on home learning courses

2. One of the girls we teach on the first year has just gained a job so it does happen.

3. There isn't actually a Level 1 AAT qualification yet (its in the pipe line) the sage computerised bookkeeping course is something different. The AAT starts off at Level 2 and it'll be called a diploma now - the standards are changing.

4. Having the AAT is no bad thing, and there are always jobs available in finance

Hi mackem86,

I am going to be studying AAT in September, and read with interest you saying the fee would be waived. Does this vary from college to collge, as my local one is charging full price to those on JSA?