Book keeping and Accounts.

diesel_dog

I'm looking to move into this and could do with some advice.

I’ve looked on both the AAT and ICB websites, who seem to just want your membership fees along with taking further exams through them. Are these really necessary and can you do the job without these letters after your name?

Is there anyone in that industry who works on a self employed basis give any pointers?

National_Careers_Service

Hello,

I’ve just been looking into this and it does appear to be a tough one to get to the bottom of, doesn’t it?

I found this article about Money Laundering Regulations 2007. It says on here, “from 15 December 2007 it is a legal requirement that any person or firm acting as an Accountancy Service Provider (ASP) in the UK must be registered with and monitored by a recognised supervisory authority”. It also provides a list of those recognised supervisory authorities.

Here's also a link to the HMRC’s definition of an Accountancy Service provider. Perhaps you could look into the different supervisory authorities to find out if the qualifications you already hold would enable you to register with them without having to take any additional qualifications.

Does that help at all?


Emma
National Careers Service

BitterAndTwisted

I'm currently working as a bookkeeper without any formal qualifications or being registered as an ASP but I'm not self-employed at present, although I do have about forty years of experience. All of my work is overseen by the company's firm of accountants from time to time, so it's probably not absolutely necessary to be registered.

Getting into the field isn't necessarily that difficult if you're prepared to go into it at entry-level and work your way up but more and more employers are looking for people who've done the AAT even at ledger-clerk level, probably just because they can.

I did do a taster-AAT thingy a while back and found it fascinating but that was Level 3 stuff and I couldn't afford to do the proper course at the time. Actually, I can't afford it now either.

AP007

OP how old are you? If you are under 25 and get a job as a junior in an accounts role you can study for free the AAT

MTM_2

I would suggest that you contact your local college, they possibly run 'sage' courses' that should be very cost effective and will hopefully teach you what you need to know. Good Luck

diesel_dog

Thanks for the replies. I'm a young mid 40's with some experience of numbers, procedures and systems, although I do realise I may have to start at the bottom for the certificate side of things.

It would be nice to start employment with a company to gain the qualifications needed, but the thought of been the office junior after been in various management roles at my age would be very hard. In fact very, very hard ....

It would appear that been a member of a group like AAT & ICB is geared up improve your knowledge and qualifications as well as charging you for the privilege. Just unsure if they are the way forward after reading the links Emma so kindly posted.

AP007

diesel_dog wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I'm a young mid 40's with some experience of numbers, procedures and systems, although I do realise I may have to start at the bottom for the certificate side of things.

It would be nice to start employment with a company to gain the qualifications needed, but the thought of been the office junior after been in various management roles at my age would be very hard. In fact very, very hard ....

It would appear that been a member of a group like AAT & ICB is geared up improve your knowledge and qualifications as well as charging you for the privilege. Just unsure if they are the way forward after reading the links Emma so kindly posted.

Yes without being ageist at 40 no one will look at you as a junior.