book keeping

[micegg]

Does anyone know how to go about training to be a book keeper? How long does the training take? Where is the best place to get your training?

I am looking ahead a little and considering a career change. I basically thought book keeping would be a good way to get into accounting. The idea being that I am a book keeper for a few years whilst I have pre school kids and then move into accountancy. Maybe being deluded?

All advice welcome.

another question.. do you need any sort of professional insurance to work as a book keeper?

Have a look at this which is the institute of BKs.

Should cover it.

Message withdrawn

Thanks. I dont expect it to be too interesting I would just like something to earn some money.

to micegg, i too am considering a career change in book keeping, just wandered did you enter into bookkeeping, if not, anyone else please?, any tips for gaining volunteer experience and the qualifications,,, needed, early 50's,, thanks

I'm a certified bookkeeper. I wouldn't let a volunteer help me because it would breach my clients' confidentiality in all sorts of ways.

The training isn't hard but it is very thorough and pass rates for exams are very high. It was explained to me that you wouldn't want someone handling your money who only had an 80% chance of getting it right! We had weekly assessments and had to pass at 100%, then there were actual exams to pass and again the pass rate was high. The course was on line with great tutors but the final exam was in person at a local exam centre with stringent conditions.

You need to be a real nitpicker, have a head for figures and be able to work happily with fine details. If you have sufficient qualifications you can gain access to all sorts of jobs - I have been an accounts manager for a long time, and have had some clients for many years. I don't find it remotely boring. If you go into it thinking it's boring you won't last long, I think.

There are many online training centres; what suits one might not suit another so do your research before committing.

I used Training Link and they were excellent, but I know there are others providing equally valid courses. My only qualifications were GSCE's and A levels years ago, and computer skills help (you learn manual bookkeeping and Sage computer based) but I use Xero cloud based bookkeeping now and love it as I can wfh,

www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Study--Qualifications

Tells you a lot about courses etc

Hi OP,

I'm in a similar situation. I'm studying with AAT, you can do courses working towards qualifying to be a bookkeeper and accountant. You can either study online, in college or self study which is what I'm doing. It's very flexible and means you can study at your own pace.

Also worth joining groups on Facebook to get tips and advice.

I think the OP has probably got sorted in the 15 years since she asked the question!