Bookkeeping Qualification

Bookkeeping Qualification

Didn't find your answer?

I'm looking at starting up my own bookkeeping business in the future. I've been working within finance for 7 years, and i'm currently employed as a Treasury Accountant.

I'm currently do the books for my husbands business, which l really enjoy.

I'm thinking of setting up my own book keeping business in the future, but don't know the best qualification to get.

Does anybody have any recommendations? I don't know if you have to have a certain type of qualification to be a practising book keeper?

Any advice would be really appreciated

many thanks

Katie
katie

Replies (5)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By jean gower
05th Oct 2007 08:07

AAT qualification
Why not study for the AAT qualification? When qualified you will be able to apply for a Members in Practice licence. You will also have the confidence of the backing from an recognized accountancy body. Plus the opportunity of networking with other members which will give you a good insight as to what is required to run your own practice.

Good luck for the future.

Jean FMAAT FIAB AFA

Thanks (0)
avatar
By skylarking
04th Oct 2007 13:18

You don't need one
There has recently been a heated debate here over the fact that you don't have to be qualified to practice as an accountant, let alone as a bookkeeper.

However, it may be helpful to have a bookkeeping qualification. Two bodies that you might want to research are The International Association of Book-keepers (IAB) and The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). Sadly they can not even agree on how to spell the word 'bookkeeper'!

Never mind. You will need to be mindful of Money Laundering Regulations and may be monitored in this respect by HM Revenue if you are not a member of a professional body.

Let me know if you are based in the South. We may be able to help each other. Good luck.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By troubleshooters
04th Oct 2007 13:35

I agree...
with Andy. Experience is far more important than qualifications and testimonials from your employer would be just as useful.

I have taken on a 'Chartered bookkeeper' in the past who had no experience and was absolutely useless to me. Turns out the real world is completely different to the world of the text book. In fact I would probably be put off from employing or recommending a qualified bookkeeper without testimonials.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
13th Oct 2007 09:26

bookkeeping qualification
beware of the integrity and quality of some bookkeeping 'institutes' . As well as disagreeing on how bookkeeper is spelt, they are also poles apart. IAB are a proper professional body. ICB might look like a professional body and institute on the surface, but a careful search of their structure shows that they are actually a private company. Don't be fooled.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By JamesCarter2
26th Oct 2007 12:12

Professional Bodies
Hi Katie,

You do not need qualifications. However, if you are providing bookkeeping services to clients you must be registered with an HM Treasury appointed Supervisory Body or HMRC direct to comply with the money laundering regulations. A list of supervisory bodies can be found on the HM Treasury’s website here: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F/1/money_laundering_regulations2007.pdf (bottom of page 42 professional bodies)

I am from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Andrew Carlsson and Clive Johnson are from the IAB, so we will be bias towards our own bodies.

However, the ICB is a proper Institute: It has Royal Patronage, it is the largest bookkeeping body in the world and has been granted Supervisory status by the Treasury.

Membership with any body will obviously help as not only will it look better, but also the body will give you support throughout your career.

The best thing to do is look at both bodies, call them up and see who you get on better with.

Our website is www.bookkeepers.org.uk (or call 0845 060 2345) and the IAB’s is www.iab.org.uk

P.S The Institute removed the hyphen from bookkeepers 2 years ago. This was to agree with the Oxford English Dictionary’s spelling.

Hope this helps

James

Thanks (0)