Any book keepers out there?

eamon

Hello

I'm looking at changing careers and retraining as a book keeper interests me. Years ago I done a Btec in Business Studies and Accounting was my best subject and hence the attraction. For the last 20 years I've been working in warehousing & distribution and frankly I'm knackered!
Anyway moving on the limited research that I've done so far suggests that as an employee I'd be looking at a salary at between £13 - £18k. This is fairly rubbish. My question then is that salary level indicative of the industry/profession as an employee or is the decent money to be made as a self employed book keeper (of course I understand that it would take many months and loads of hard work etc to build up a client base)?
Look forward to your feedback.

yours

Eamon

milkydrink

It took me three years to get my HND in AAT (!!! of accounting tech), that was part time study though. You haven't mentioned training? Have you thought about training?

I see from your info you are from W yorkshire, wouldn't that be a far lower paid area than say the south east? I don't know about fair rates of pay your end, have a look in the local papers ECT.

Kim

bambam_2

You say you want to retrain. There are obviously different levels of attainment and a basic book keeping course might not be enough for you to get self employed work. Most small businesses require tax advice from their accountant and I don't think this is covered fully in basic book-keeping. |If you aim higher for AAT or more you would earn more even as an employee. Also like any career the starting salaries are only a guide it depends how you move up the ladder within a company as to what you end up earning there.

Pauper_Princess

Hi eamon,

I'm in West Yorks too and I'd say £13 - £18K would be about average for a book-keeper. 18 months ago I was working as a management accountant on £20K and the book-keeper there earned £14K.

As other people have mentioned, the AAT course is a good place to start. Most local colleges offer evening study - I went to Dewsbury and then Wakefield colleges while I did AAT. Most courses are September - May time butr I think some start in January.

If you signed up for the first year, this would show employers that you are keen and they may sponsor you for the rest of it.

Not sure about how much self-employed book-keepers earn as I don't know any... I know a company near here that offers this service though and they (husband and wife) are really struggling for clients at the moment...

Let us know how you get on! (Wages round here are pretty poor though)