Own Business
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Hi All, I want to start my own business working from home but unsure as to what I need to do. Please can someone help me? I want to provide a full accounting service but don't know where to start.
MTIA
Dee
MTIA
Dee
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Comments
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Re:Own Business
Hi Dee.
Are you an AAT student?
If so, you need to get public indemnity insurance and register as a Member in Practice.
Scott.0 -
Re:Own Business
What's to stop a student providing a service without mentioning AAT?
There are lots of adverts in local papers for 'fully experienced' book-keepers etc.
As long as the person providing the service works within their scope and doesn't mislead their clients, there shouldn't be a problem.
Helen0 -
Re:Own Business
You can't register as a member in practice until you are a member.
You can however offer your services without being qualified. I don't think you'll get PII without being a member either. you would be too much of a risk to the insurance company.
Provided you don't provide any legally binding advice and you point out you are studying for the qualification i don't see a problem.
I would perhaps limit it to book-keeping, VAT and Payroll with limited Accounts production though. Taking on the work as there Accountant i would suggest being risky but there would be no reason why you couldn't provided you didn't market yourself as something you're not.0 -
Re:Own Business
If you set up as a bookkeeper outside of AAT you cannot mention the AAT in any way - even that you are a student member.
Scott.0 -
Re:Own Business
That's what I suggested - and what I used to do. I had quite a good business just offering book-keeping, payroll and VAT.
No-one ever queried my qualification status - they were just happy to find someone to do the work for them.
In fact, some potential clients might perceive qualifications as being more expensive. Just a thought.0 -
Re:Own Business
Hi, Thank you all. yes i'm a full member and just completed tech level November 2006. I live in Essex and just scared of advertising, but i supposed if i don't its not gone get me anywhere.
Dee0 -
Re:Own Business
Hi
If you are a full member you do need to become a Member in Practice to start your own practice.
If you're fully qualified but not a member I think you can say you're AAT qualified.
When I set up I was told I could advertise before I got my licence but that I would need to get a licence before I could start working.
Sue
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Re:Own Business
Daniel - of course you can get PI without being a member. I did for about 3 years before I qualified - and I don't think that my premium was overly loaded because of it.
Claudia
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Re:Own Business
Did they cover you for giving professional advice?
That would seem strange if you weren't a member of a profesional body.
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Re:Own Business
I also set up on my own before I qualified. I didn't have a problem getting PI cover either and it wasn't expensive.
I have also recently done some tax work for an accountant who is qualified by 30 years experience and isn't a member of a professional body, she has full insurance cover and has never had any problems.
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