I want to do a bookkeeping course!!

nooksky

Hi, hope this is in the right place to ask this!!

I want to do a bookkeeping course with the main aim to be to run my own business when I am qualified. The only problem is, the course for this through my local council started in September so I have missed it I do not want to have to wait until next September so wondered if anyone has any other ideas.

I am open to online courses and learning from home but have not had much joy searching on the internet.

Thanks in advance!! :T

Addiscomber

http://www.icslearn.co.uk/business-courses/accountancy-book-keeping/

i have no esxperience of them though, but I seem to remember that they feature on the learndirect site if thet means anything.

eddie_c_2

Try your local business link, they offer various courses!

julie1075

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) now offer a Book Keeping course which might be worth a look - try http://www.aat.org.uk/

nooksky

Hi again, thank you for all your replies.

I have looked at them all and am veering towards the AAT Bookkeeping Course. I really like the idea of being able to do it in my own time so I think this could be the one for me

One last question... Has anyone any experience of doing a course from a CD Rom? I was just having slight reservations about how easy it will be to learn without a teacher (if you get what I mean!! ).

Thanks again for your replies.

sammy115

try https://www.book-keepers.org.uk

and https://www.iab.org.uk

julie1075

Hi Nooksky,

I find it really easy learning from a cd rom. It lets me go at my pace and if I'm unsure I can go back and run through it again. I prefer it to classroom based learning as I can do it when I feel like it and stop wherever I choose. I think I actually learn quicker this way as most cd roms are very well presented and keep my attention.

I've also just got the pack for the AAT Book keeping certificate and it looks pretty good.

ukbill69

Just use sage

julie1075

Sage is good, but it helps if you understand what you're doing first!! :rotfl:

nooksky

Hi thanks for your replies again.

The only question I have now before I order up a course is is there a difference between getting an AAT Certificate or a IAB Certificate. Is one better than the other or is it basically the same thing? Do businesses look for one of these over the other?

Sorry to keep asking but its quite a lot of money to spend and I don't want to get the wrong thing!! Thanks again. :T

mikewebs

I can only speak from my own experience.

I am currently studying the AAT NVQ Intermediate course at my local college. I completed the Foundation last year and - with that under my belt - I was able to take accounts to trial balance very quickly _ a matter of weeks.

I would personally opt for the full blown AAT qualification - either NVQ route or Diploma route (rather than the book-keeping) because you would be able to offer much more to potential clients - things such as Computerised Accounting using Industry standard packages like SAGE, management accounting - performance figures, reports and returns and much much more.

You would be able to recoup any outlay on courses very quickly because charges for this kind of service are high.

So, if you can manage to cram it in to your life, opt for the full AAT qualification rather than the Book-keeping course because there is so much more work out there if you can offer more.

Local F.E. colleges may offer the course - some even offer full time course free mine certainly does, otherwise FTC Kaplan, BPP and many others offer distance learning courses - I think it's about £500 for a year's study at Foundation and Intermediate (but i may be wrong).

You do need to rgister with the AAT to take skills tests and exams (about £92 for the first year plus exam fees) but you get monthly newletters and a recognised qualification at the end of it all. I have a Business Studies degree and could have got exemptions from ACCA, CIMA and CIPFA but I decided that the 'hands on' approach from the AAT full course was better - it was also free at my college Also the AAT is recognised by industry and practice accountants whereas the IAB never seems to be mentioned in job adverts (a good indicator of what people regard as better).

I hope this info has helped but if you want any further advice PM me.