Is training as a bookkeeper realistic these days?

[joanofarchitrave]

... in terms of actually getting work??

DH qualified as a lawyer, in a highly specialised field. He has chronic mental health problems and we both feel that the level of responsibility and pressure in this work were not helping his health. I should say, though, that he is absolutely meticulous in his work and has never missed a deadline. He worked for himself for a while in this field and when eventually he had to stop to recover, his clients all spent ages trying to persuade him to continue.

He has worked as an accountant for a year in the past, and although he hated that, he enjoyed doing his own accounts for his own business. He and I both think he might enjoy being a self-employed bookkeeper.

If any MNer were willing to advise about courses and/or the likelihood of work, I'd be really grateful.

bump

My DH is a self employed bookkeeper, he was QBE Financial controller for a company before and has no formal qualifications but has more work than he knows what to do with although this is in London.
The thing that he says is most useful is a working knowledge of common accounting packages particularly one small businesses use such as Sage and MYOB.

Thank you :)

Yes its possible OP - just terribly tedious

I'd advise doing the AAT - or at least partly, I went self employed as a bookkeeper after the first year. Sage courses etc are all very well, but AAT gives you the grounding to learn the computerised packages on the job so to speak! I've yet to come across a software that I haven't been able to figure out.
Over the years I've worked in various ways to suit needs at the time. I've subbed for accountants as well as having my own clients and a few p/t positions. All depends on the needs of the client and myself at the time. there are some terrible bk's around here, so I do get work clearing up the mess of others - I put it all down t the fact I've partly done AAT and so learned how to do double entry bookkeeping rather than learning how to enter figures into a software package.

It is very flexible, reasonably well paid.... just boring for me anyway

I am really sorry OP, but I don't quite understand your question.
Your dh is a qualified lawyer. AND a qualified accountant. You said "He has worked as an accountant ", so he already has ACCA/ACA/CIMA?
But you also say he hated it. Which bits did he hate? But he enjoyed doing his own accounts. How can you enjoy that but not like the other bits. sorry, which other bits did he not like?
And are you sure he actually needs a course? Surely the mental health issues are the most important thing here. no stress. health generally. he would be stressed, from taking a new course/qualification or trying to set up his own business, surely?

I failed an ACA paper. Now I basically work as a book keeper/assistant accountant. I think I have worked on nearly all of the packages there are, and like MrsKeithLemon, my basic knowledge of all accounts, and double entry means i can use any package and know when something is wrong. I can review any set of accounts, or any nominal code and can see when something is not quite right, even if i am not, at that stage, sure what it is. That kind of skill, can not just be bought. That comes from good groundwork/basics and years of experience.
I too have seen/corrected alot of awful book keeping, over the years.
But saying all that, what can be the harm of your husband just giving it a go. You learn on the job. Take a client. Take a part time role. see how you go. Contact local accountants. Many have loads of work. Quite a few have asked me, but I mostly refuse. But then could be good for your dh. Just start off and see how it goes. Could be great for him.

Oh and unlike MrsLemon, I Luuurve doing accounts. starting a new job in 2 weeks.. Can't wait. Sad bint that I am. I dream of bank recs, corp tax calculations. yum , yum. Best trot off now ...........

Sorry Oblomov - just me having a career crisis I think Ignore me It is ok really OP, I'm just ready for a change of direction I think! There are many positives to being a self employed bk, for which i have been vair grateful over the last few years.

I guess my DH has been doing it since the dawn of time so knows accounts inside out plus is very numerate and can see a mistake from a mile off. He's not officially qualified but still manages to earn £30/hour so it is a good thing to go into but be prepared to build up a reputation before you can charge a lot.
My DH was quite well known in the fashion world which is his speciality so could charge quite a bit straight away.

Ooh yes I agree a 'niche' area of expertise is always worth more dosh!

oh, er, I don't earn THAT hourly rate!

ohhh, interesting I thought my brother was talking pie in the sky when he started his book keeping course through the OU last year, seems he has done his home work, looks like his army retirement will be fruitful with any luck.

MissKeithLemon - when you went self employed, how did you drum up business, so to speak and find clients?

I'm going to start AAT soon (I think you posted a msg on my post asking about AAT - thank you!) I would look to become self employed to fit around the kids if I manage to get the qualification. Any advice / tips gratefully received!

Hi CJ, the AAT is really good because you can officially work as a self-employed bookkeeper whilst studying & qualifying. Then as an MAAT when you've finished I think clients, certainly accountants, see it as a really good qual. to have. Its quite technical, which is good if you want to be s/e as the syllabus covers a range wide enough that you will be able to produce accounts to trial balance which is what you need to do for most clients. Its been fab to fit around family etc, I'd say up to £30 is reasonable for a good bookkeeeper (I'm in Leeds).
Good luck

I employ a bookkeeper as does DH both of our bookkeepers are AAT qualified and trained on sage. There is plenty of work out their for bookkeepers, but us small business owners can be difficult to work with I know my bookkeeper has been trying to pin me down for over week. We could be very difficult to work with if you are a perfectionist as often mine and DH's bookkeeper have to go with their best guess and they often have to chase us over and over again. Speaking to other small business owners we are very typical often juggling many many balls at once. Not a reason for your DH not to do it, but thoughts to consider regarding the type of people he may end up working with. FYI my bookkeeper is an employee on £15 per hour.

Thanks MissKeith!