Virtual Assistant - bookkeeping?

Bunnymoney

Hi, I'm seriously thinking about setting myself up as a VA. I am currently a stay at home mum, and have not been out to work for 9 years now :eek: I have previous relevant experience, and feel that it is really something that I would enjoy and excel at.

My question is, would it be beneficial to do some sort of bookkeeping course? I have been scouring the internet, and lots of the posts on here, but I keep seeing new and different things. I had more or less decided that I would do a SAGE bookkeeping course via LearnDirect, but then read someone's post saying that they used the ICB/IAB (what's the difference?), and I am all confused now. Those courses cost a lot more (3-4 times more), and I want to be sure that I am doing the right course to fit with what I want to do; ie I don't want to spend out money on a course that I don't need, when I can spend a lot less.

If anyone can give me any guidance on this, I would really appreciate it.

Oh, and I did basic accounts (profit and loss, balance sheets etc) at University as part of my Tourism degree, so I do know the basics (and still have the books so I could re-learn - things haven't changed that much in 10 years have they?).

Thanks for any advice

Heather

relic

Bunnymoney wrote: »

Hi, I'm seriously thinking about setting myself up as a VA. I am currently a stay at home mum, and have not been out to work for 9 years now :eek: I have previous relevant experience, and feel that it is really something that I would enjoy and excel at.

My question is, would it be beneficial to do some sort of bookkeeping course? I have been scouring the internet, and lots of the posts on here, but I keep seeing new and different things. I had more or less decided that I would do a SAGE bookkeeping course via LearnDirect, but then read someone's post saying that they used the ICB/IAB (what's the difference?), and I am all confused now. Those courses cost a lot more (3-4 times more), and I want to be sure that I am doing the right course to fit with what I want to do; ie I don't want to spend out money on a course that I don't need, when I can spend a lot less.

If anyone can give me any guidance on this, I would really appreciate it.

Oh, and I did basic accounts (profit and loss, balance sheets etc) at University as part of my Tourism degree, so I do know the basics (and still have the books so I could re-learn - things haven't changed that much in 10 years have they?).

Thanks for any advice

Heather

The basics haven't, but how in depth was this in a "Tourism" degree?

In terms of the qualifications, AAT is obviously very well known but i'd say IAB is a good bet for just book keeping.

InsideInsurance

Before you start investing in courses etc what market research have you done? Have you worked out who your customers will be? How to approach them and get their attention? Why they go with you rather than one of the other VAs?

If you can sort out the above then being a VA can be a very good choice but ultimately like a lot of self employed/ vSME businesses the challenges are not the skills to do the job but the ability to attract and secure the clients, and realistically for it to succeed repeat clients not just one off bits of work.

Suarez

I asked the same thing a few weeks ago. I've found all 3 levels of the ICB course for 700 quid which certifies you to become a book keeper. IAB seem a lot more expensive.

Bunnymoney

relic wrote: »

In terms of the qualifications, AAT is obviously very well known but i'd say IAB is a good bet for just book keeping.

Thanks for your reply. My degree took on many aspects of a business degree, so we covered marketing and accounts in each year. As far as I can see, AAT would be far too advanced for the sort of work that I would be doing.

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Before you start investing in courses etc what market research have you done? Have you worked out who your customers will be? How to approach them and get their attention? Why they go with you rather than one of the other VAs?

If you can sort out the above then being a VA can be a very good choice but ultimately like a lot of self employed/ vSME businesses the challenges are not the skills to do the job but the ability to attract and secure the clients, and realistically for it to succeed repeat clients not just one off bits of work.

Yes, I have researched a great deal into this. It's not something that I have just plucked out of the air and said 'oh, I can do that'.

Bunnymoney

Suarez wrote: »

I asked the same thing a few weeks ago. I've found all 3 levels of the ICB course for 700 quid which certifies you to become a book keeper. IAB seem a lot more expensive.

Thank you. I'll have a look at that.

Little_Miss_Uni-Debt

Hi Bunnymoney,

You can be a VA without doing book keeping. I think there is more call for "generalist" support from what I've seen. I think it's actually easier if you can do it full time as those that are hiring and have got to the point of needing a VA, REALLY do need a VA and have a lot of work.

I think with book keeping you'll be up against fully qualified accountants, those that can work for less as the cost of living in other countries is lower. It's tough unless you really enjoy doing the work.

Personally, I would go with the virtual assistant side of things, web research, appt booking, entering data, organising a calendar etc and position yourself as a native english speaker as this is high on the list of desirables.

I've done a similar thing myself, writing Project Manager resumes/CV's and it has worked out well for me in the past. I use Elance.com, as there is a good deal of work posted there, it's easy to message/chat, send completed work files etc and their payment system is pretty good too (people have to fund their job before you start work).

They do have fees but you only need to pay to join whatever work pool you are interested in i.e Admin, Design, Web Development etc.

Bunnymoney

Little_Miss_Uni-Debt wrote: »

Hi Bunnymoney,

You can be a VA without doing book keeping. I think there is more call for "generalist" support from what I've seen. I think it's actually easier if you can do it full time as those that are hiring and have got to the point of needing a VA, REALLY do need a VA and have a lot of work.

I think with book keeping you'll be up against fully qualified accountants, those that can work for less as the cost of living in other countries is lower. It's tough unless you really enjoy doing the work.

Personally, I would go with the virtual assistant side of things, web research, appt booking, entering data, organising a calendar etc and position yourself as a native english speaker as this is high on the list of desirables.

I've done a similar thing myself, writing Project Manager resumes/CV's and it has worked out well for me in the past. I use Elance.com, as there is a good deal of work posted there, it's easy to message/chat, send completed work files etc and their payment system is pretty good too (people have to fund their job before you start work).

They do have fees but you only need to pay to join whatever work pool you are interested in i.e Admin, Design, Web Development etc.

Thank you so much. That was exactly what I needed to hear.

I am going to write up a profile, and I have a book on order that I will be perusing when it arrives to give me a bit more reassurance about what is needed. I am hoping that by the time my children go back to school in 3 weeks, I will be ready to offer my services, at least to places like elance.

Thanks again.