Worth trying to become a bookkeeper?

[booktart]

Im hitting the wall with my life, try to keep this short but need serious advice if this is the correct option.

Im 33 years old and graduated in sports science 2.1 degree from top uni 10 years ago almost now.
However, my specialist area was always maths at school many awards and As in physics, maths and accounts. I was all set to do accounts at uni but opted for the more 'fun' option.

Since uni ive had a hell of a time, with work wise and life in general.

Now I NEED a job badly but i dont want to waste and have no money to waste time studying things that wont get me anywhere. Risk is always but i need to make sure im not wasting more time or money doing something that wont lead to work.

My plan is therefore to become a qualified book keeper. However, i know companies always want experience, so im asking if this is a subject worth studying and best way to go about it.

I was going to buy Frank Woods Book keeping and accounts book I know its similar to A Level accounts so its not to hard for me to learn alone.

Then what would I do? I need to sit exams some place to get formal qualifications?
And should I do some volunteer work to get Work exp?

How would i go about this? Can i sit exams without joining/paying some private company? Maybe i should go to college for a years course as they do book keeping part time and its 1-2 years i think.

Again though its a subject i could master in 3months alone, dont want to waste time or money at college and cant afford the private organizations.

So, overall im asking 2 main questions.

1. Is book keeping a subject worth studying that is likely to result in getting employment often.
2. What is the best way for me to go about this?

thanks in advance

 

[The Byre]

1. Probably not.

2. A degree in business administration.

IMO, bookkeeping is a skill and not a field of study, like accountancy. The person who does our books has a degree in business administration and has other duties, such as project management and P&L analysis. When I started out, I did my own books, but then I did most of everything back then!

I work in a very sexy field that draws young and hopeful people to it like flies to a dilly waggon. It is even more hopeless than sports, where at least there is a sizable industry, albeit one that is hard to get into. So we are used to getting cries for help from people in your situation - they have studied a sexy subject, believing some bogus story that there are opportunities and employment to be had that will fulfil their dreams.

Most quit and do something else pretty much straight away. Even for the most stubborn, after about ten years of trying and failing to get anywhere, truth dawns and they realise that the educational system sold them a crock of sh1te. They will say anything to put bums on seats! I would not surprise me if some university claimed that you can get a glittering career with prospects of advancement as a player of the Abyssinian nose-flute!

(On a side note and totally off-topic, it would give me great personal satisfaction, if certain figures within Britain's tertiary education industry, who offer degree courses in industries that either do not exist any more, or are one thousand times over-subscribed, be prosecuted for fraud and ruining young people's lives and be sent to prison.)

The obvious thing for you to do, is to knuckle down and study to become a teacher specialising in sports, physics and mathematics. You could also try working your way up from the bottom in retail, though I happen to know that all the major retailers are swamped with CVs from people with bogus degrees in sports, media studies, music production, film making, art, design and all the other non-degrees out there.

In plain language - there is no easy fix!

 

[john1989]

You should look at the ICB to get a recognised qualification.

No matter what you study, you'll need some experience. Would you let a plumber loose on your boiler that has only read a book on boilers?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

....... i dont want to waste and have no money to waste time studying things that wont get me anywhere. .....

Again though its a subject i could master in 3months alone, dont want to waste time or money at college and cant afford the private organizations.

So, overall im asking 2 main questions.

1. Is book keeping a subject worth studying that is likely to result in getting employment often.
2. What is the best way for me to go about this?

thanks in advance

If you want a career simple fact is you are going to have to spend some serious time and commitment studying and working for it.

You may be (very) lucky and get a job as a bookkeeper but to be really blunt you aren't going to be much good to anyone who is going to pay you decent money in just 3 months.

 

[booktart]

yeh i looked at icb before is that the best one? Theres a few different organisations.

But as far as getting work, book keeping not any better than any other industry? often see companies looking for book keepers 10-25 per hr...

 

[booktart]

If you want a career simple fact is you are going to have to spend some serious time and commitment studying and working for it.

You may be (very) lucky and get a job as a bookkeeper but to be really blunt you aren't going to be much good to anyone who is going to pay you decent money in just 3 months.

yeh im aware of that BUT what i mean is i will self study 3 months for free then sit exams and get certificates, if this is even possible rather than doing a 1-2 year course at college or whatever. That was what I meant. I just feel with my past experience and my degree, book keeping is a subject that i can revise up on fast.

As for work I know I would have to do voluntary for a while just to get the xp, then it would be easier to get paid work if i have good rep i guess. But still,,,, are the jobs out there?

 

[john1989]

ICB is widely recognised in the industry.

With no experience, finding employment that pays £10-15ph is unrealistic.

 

[booktart]

that is the basic pay. I would have to work for free etc to get some experience i guess

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

yeh im aware of that BUT what i mean is i will self study 3 months for free then sit exams and get certificates, if this is even possible rather than doing a 1-2 year course at college or whatever. That was what I meant. I just feel with my past experience and my degree, book keeping is a subject that i can revise up on fast.

As for work I know I would have to do voluntary for a while just to get the xp, then it would be easier to get paid work if i have good rep i guess. But still,,,, are the jobs out there?

One of the biggest issues with bookkeeping is that you can learn the theory but practical knowledge and experience is essential.

What sort of business do you envisage working for?

 

[Clinton]

There is no qualification required to practise as a book-keeper.

Or even to practise as an accountant!

AFAIK

But it's easier to get clients if you have a formal qualification. And if you aren't a member of certain trade bodies you'll need to register with HMRC. You can get membership of ICPA without any qualification.

But if I were you I'd become a Maths or Physics teacher. There's more demand, huge demand-supply imbalance, and several sops / incentives. I believe they're now so desperate for maths teachers they're even accepting those graduates who don't have Maths degrees. I can't find the link now but I read somewhere about some training they're providing to "catch up" non-maths grads with the knowledge they need to teach KS3 & KS4 maths.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

There is no qualification required to practise as a book-keeper.

Or even to practise as an accountant!

AFAIK

......

Sadly absolutely correct.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I saw an advert in my accountancy magazine last night about training as a maths teacher. Here's the link in the advert in case it's of interest - https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options

 

[justintime]

If you are looking for a qualification I would suggest AAT rather than ICB. Whilst ICB is good in it's own right it is aimed squarely at being self employed, and is not a recognised qualification in industry, whereas AAT is. It also puts you on the very bottom rung of being a qualified accountant, and you can progress from there to become a chartered accountant.

 

[Gecko001]

If you are intent on going down the bookkeeping route, I would go for a course rather than self-learning. In a course you will be able to judge your progress better. You will be able to also talk with other students about the subject and meet teacher/lecturers who will have worked in the business themselves (one would hope). Are there any evening classes you can attend? There would probably be students attending those classes who are juniors in firms and you could get some a feel for what they do and maybe even some idea of the possible career path for bookkeepers.

 

[Energise Accounting]

you are going to have to do some sort of study. why not do a payroll course they are normally quite short and a good living can be made as most accountants hate it and just outsource that side of things. you will still have to get some sort of experience

 

[booktart]

thanks guys dont wanna teach no thanks!!

payroll is better option if im just looking to get some work asap?

 

[myfairworld]

Can I just say that though obviously training as a maths teacher is a great idea for someone who'd actually like to be a teacher, teaching is not a career to be entered into lightly. While from outside there appear to be lots of advantages in a teaching career - and for the right person there are lots of advantages - it is also a very stressful profession, unbearably stressful if you have problems with class control and with relating to the pupils.

 

[john1989]

thanks guys dont wanna teach no thanks!!

payroll is better option if im just looking to get some work asap?

I don't think Energise said that.

No matter what qualification you obtain, you will need experience.

If you want to go make money from the off, a franchise might be better for you. Though that has its own risks.

 

[Energise Accounting]

I think it will be almost impossible to earn money straight away .when I first started in accountancy I had to take a pay cut of around 50%

I would always take on people who have proven experience and consider qualifications as a secondary consideration.

 

[booktart]

im aware with no xp jobs will be hard to get hence i plan to do as much voluntary work as possible which could lead to work i hope.

So again based on this if my initial goal is to get a job that will get me a regular wage which is my current aim is bookkepping a good thing to study better payroll? or i can do both?

I dont see much else in the world worth studying that got chance of work atm? Web development was another option tbh i just dont know..i hoped this was best bet

 

[Energise Accounting]

where are you based, are you good with numbers?

 

[booktart]

scotland

 

[SOS Offices]

I would agree experience is key.

I completed a course in business administration at college then all my experience has come from working, I found employers were more interested in the work experience I had done other than the college course I had done.

I'm now self employed and do all the administration and bookkeeping work work for 5 different companies and a number of sole traders.
I love what I do so it doesn't feel like work.

If you have the financial stability and time why not do an apprentaship? You can earn and learn, and if you pick it up as quick as you hope you can get through your apprentaship quicker.

As the saying goes, "every day is a school day"

 

[booktart]

im to old to get apprenticeship i think not that i see many of these roles about anyway.

Also, as for every job they want exp but how do u get exp when they wont employ u due to not having exp, means same people already with the exp get the jobs, there is no hope for newcomers in most industries it seems....if i were 18-22 or even 25 with degree they might be excited to have me but not some washed up 33 year old bum with an employment cv as good as an ozzy backpacking stoner.

So whats point training in anything if they wont give me job due to lack of exp? Well thats why i said i can do voluntary work, right? how long? 3-6 months then maybe if im doing well get a paying job at lower rate another 3-6 months a better pay job etc..surely this is a way to get into it and exp?

but im asking the questions not trying to answer them lol...u are the guys in the know!!!

 

[Energise Accounting]

we are always on the look out for good stocktakers and can offer training however, Scotland is not an area we cover. I cannot see a problem getting a job in say credit control within industry then just study while you earn.

 

[booktart]

really? what do credit control type jobs require and what to employers look for?

im looking for any job tbh that pays and preferably working on computer/numbers/spreadsheets.

Its something im good at and can do but sadly and ironically have little work exp or certificates in to help me get these jobs. Book Keeping seemed best bet but im not bothered i just need work.

Even applying data processing jobs i never get them as again theres 1000s other unemployed grads many with better IT certs on CV or work exp in offices etc....My work exp consists of mainly labour, security, driving and bar work but i want office work and some kind of long term thing, book keeping workin gup to accounts assistant etc..

 

[Energise Accounting]

Credit control is part of the accounts function and a important one. In a nutshell you are chasing payments from customers and keeping the sales ledger up to date with the payments received from customers. What employers look for
1. A good telephone manner (you will have to build up a good relationship with customers)
2. IT skills although most companies will train you on their software
3 Attention to detail
4. able to keep to deadlines
Once you get your foot in the door i would start studying AAT and impress on your employer you are willing to learn.

A credit controller can earn between £16-£20k. My girlfriend works in a government department and earns £30k passed her AAT with 5 years experience under her belt. and she started off in purchase ledger you have to put the work in!

 

[booktart]

I see i know what that is exactly as i have debts and often get phone calls and letters so i guess thats the job you are on about. At first it was the credit card company itself now they passed on to debt collectors so its them that chase me.

Also will these debts effect my likelihood of getting work in these industries? I cant get a job at bank due to my debts.

This is another issue and im applying for a kind of bankruptcy atm. Low income version. Which will write off my debts and make me bankrupt. I got 8k debts mainly credit cards after uni due to various reasons sadly.

So this could effect me getting work here also or not?

What would one need do to get a job in credit control? I dont need any certs? But if apply for jobs might be hard to get as always i guess, no special reason to employ me

 

[Energise Accounting]

I would not go down the bankruptcy route if you can help it. It will not stop you getting a job in credit control however, may not help when starting your studies. With credit control no need for any specialist qualifications. My advice is join a employment agency.

I would leave out the bit about your bankruptcy they will not ask. The main thing is be positive i was about your age when i started although i started studying ACCA and moved up the ranks very quickly.

 

[kevin.doran]

Bookkeeping is so often overlooked in terms of job prospects, a solid bookkeeper is worth their weight in gold and highly sought after. And with the tech available these days it doesn't need to be restricted to your geographical area either.

I agree the ICB would be your best starting point in terms of qualification but you will most definitely need a good 1-2 years under your belt before you get anywhere near £10-15 an hour.

 

[booktart]

ok so it looks like credit control best way to get work asap then study acca i think long term with view to book keeping etc

Why not apply bankruptcy, its like a LILA not full bankruptcy. I had 8k debt 3+ years now and its getting annoying all the letters, calls etc, even though i have accounts frozen as im unemplyed and cant pay back....im not getting money or work anytime soon, id rather clear the debts and be bankrupt 5 years, i have no plans for an money lendin gnext 5 years anyway so not an issue there

 

[Energise Accounting]

If you study ACCA you are looking at becoming a charted Accountant. I would look at AAT or IFA this way the study is shorter and you will gain tax knowledge.

 

[booktart]

i meant aat sorry

 

[kevin.doran]

I'm not so sure I even agree with AAT if you want to be a bookkeeper. AAT covers a wider variety of topics where as ICB is purely bookkeeping.

You need to decide whether you want to get into bookkeeping or general accounting work?

 

[booktart]

mm i just want a job, a decent one lol....thats the truth, dire tiimes

 

[john1989]

It's called a career ladder for a reason.

It is very rare someone starts at the top!

I think you need to rethink your expectations.

 

[booktart]

i want to start at the bottom but even that is impossible these days it seems when they all want experience

 

[Energise Accounting]

You will be able to get a job in credit control or a purchase ledger clerk or even sales ledger clerk. the trick is to gain experience in all three of the disciplines. and the best way is to temp doing 6 month contracts progress with your studies and you will move up the ladder.

If you need any help with your C.V just contact me but you will have to put the effort in and be positive. Agencies are your friend when you first start off.

 

[The Byre]

i want to start at the bottom but even that is impossible these days it seems when they all want experience

No. That is not true. What we want is employable skills and the sad fact is, that you have none.

There is also the knotty problem that, as company director, I would be totally in contravention of my duties of due diligence, were I to employ an undischarged bankrupt as payroll clerk.

Time for some tough love! John wrote -

It's called a career ladder for a reason. It is very rare someone starts at the top! I think you need to rethink your expectations.

Given your rambling postings, with their poor grammar and spelling, bookkeeping, or indeed any task involving great attention to detail, is just not on!

Because you spent 15 years playing games, instead of getting some employable skills, you are now where you were at the age of 18. Well, actually you are considerably worse off, because, instead of realising that a degree in sports was "fool's errand" and rolling up your sleeves and becoming a brickie, truck driver, carpenter, or going back to college and getting a proper degree, you wasted a further 12 years. And now that turkey has come back to roost.

You are going to have to work in a pub, bar, or restaurant busting tables, or perhaps as a pot-boy in a kitchen working the dish- and pot-wash machines. That is where the bottom that John describes, is for you. It is also where nearly all the graduates of sports, media studies, music technology, film studies and all the other pudding subjects end up!

Given time, hard work and some night schooling, you can work your way up.

 

[booktart]

work my way up where in what industry? i have no idea.

Dont judge me by my grammar and spelling and general typing here im being rather informal. Im not just any student. I won awards at school for greatest results in maths/physics in whole of scotland. I shoulda been a maths whizz/genuis but as you know i was more interested in my pursuit of fun than thinking about m future long term.

And what would be employable skills for you? Ive rarely been out of work and worked many jobs.

Janitor
Bar work
Concierge
Data entry processor
Delivery driver
football referee
personal trainer (somewhat)
.....

Not only that i play guitar to expert level, self taught and have made albums and electronic music albums not that the is an employable skill but again shows for something perhaps?

How exactly do i lack employable skills?