Advice on getting into accounts admin

[lydiajones]

Hi,

I have been working from home for over 5 years for one company on a freelance basis. Since my youngest started school a year and a half ago I have taken on more work with the same company and am earning a really good wage now.

However, due to company changes I have been warned that my hours will drop to nearly nothing in about 6 months time. I know that when this happens I will need to find some work outside the home. I haven't seen any jobs advertised locally that are a match to what I am doing now so I think I need to try something new.

I am thinking about doing a beginners course in accountancy (as I like figures and like the fact that there seems to be a career path with this) and there are a lot of accounts assistant type jobs advertised locally. What courses do you think would help me to get into this kind of job? Is AAT good or ICB? Also, are companies interested in people that have done relevant courses if they don't have the exact experience required?

Thanks in advance for you help.