courses

Agnieszka

Hi all,
I would like to ask, about below courses which I wanna start in future, but really I am not sure is it right way and is it gonna help me to find a job. I hope to hear some opinions . Thank you for advices.

Sage Bookkeeping Stage 1

Four-hour course; 12 months’ access
Understanding the basics of bookkeeping
Getting to grips with double entry bookkeeping
Understanding how to work with customers and suppliers
Understanding VAT and VAT returns


Sage Bookkeeping Stage 2

Five-hour course; 12 months’ access
Accounting for reduction
Accounting for write-offs
Reconciling Sage Bookkeeping with your bank account
Applying performance measures


Sage Instant Accounts

Eight-hour course; 12 months’ access
Entering accounting data
Using Sage Instant Accounts to create products and invoices
Backing up and checking data, correcting any mistakes
Cross checking your bank statement with the transactions you have made
Producing and print a VAT return and knowing what to do at a period end


Sage 50 Accounts

Six-hour course; 12 months’ access
Understanding the three ledger systems – Nominal, Sales and Purchases
Understanding the choice of methods for standard VAT and VAT cash accounting
Recording product and service invoices and credit notes
Backing up, restoring, and verifying data
Correcting errors or reverse transactions
Reconciling your bank account against your bank statement
Setting up new user access, customise it, and test it

and later...

Sage 50 Accounts Levels 1, 2 & 3 , Sage 50 RTI Payroll Levels 1 & 2 and ICB RTI Payroll Management (Sage) Diploma

Nps

I was told by many that Sage certification was not really valued but I needed to beef up my CV so did it anyway. My boss now tells me that it was my Sage certification that got me my current job.

Are you an AAT student? If so, I would say the first 2 courses you list will be too basic for you.

If you plan to do the Sage 50 Accounts package then I'd say the 3rd and 4th courses you mention will be a waste of time as you'll cover it all in the 50 package.

Finally I'd check that the Sage 50 payroll course is not covered in the ICB course else you'll be duplicating again.

I'd look at the 50 accounting and the 50 payroll courses for now. No point doing the ICB payroll management course if you've no experience in payroll yet.

Agnieszka

Hi,
I'm not a AAT student, that's why I think I should have a first 2 courses, so it gonna be easier for me later.
So which one in your opinion I should pick to do not duplicate them and choose better ones?
Sage Bookkeeping Stage 1 and Stage 2, then 50 accounting but the question is, in 1st package or level by level?. In bundle is cheaper but I guess worse? After Sage 50 payroll both levels. Am I right?
How courses are comparing with AAT? Is it big discrepancy?
Thank you for information !

ariadne

@Nps how did you get your certification? I'm wondering whether the sage groupon package is worthwhile but don't think it is certified. I need it for my CV too, I've just written one for the first time in many years but it needs improvement, content and quality.

Agnieszka

I found courses in below website, just have a look. They wrote that after pass the levels you can get 'Sage certification'.

http://www.ukopencollege.co.uk/business-studies-sage-50-accounts-rti-payroll-c-195_339.html

Nps

I bought the Sage Accounting home study workbooks (all 3 courses) and both levels of the Sage payroll workbooks. I think it was about £400 all in and that included the exams which you take at home. Shop around as prices do vary.

The thing with Sage is you don't really need to know a lot of the manual side of it so doing a book keeping qualification at the same time will help you understand what Sage is doing in the background.

The only courses I've ever seen on Groupon give you a company certification but not the official Sage ones.

Agnieszka

NPS, thank You for answer.
So If you gonna compare, knowledge after which course is giving better opportunity? (Sage from bookkeeping vs sage courses- Accounting ans payroll).
Anyway, is it point did only Sage Accounting and Sage payroll without AAT or different Bookkeeping courses ? Can I looking for a job after them ?

ariadne

I'm tempted to do the sage instant with certification as its only £99 compared to £325 for all sage 50 levels, or just level 1 sage 50 for £159 but it looks very basic. I have no idea how employers view it. I've seen others suggest it isn't that necessary for finding work so it's hard to justify a big spend on all three. I know I can learn on the job and have done a lot in the past, including Xero and a bespoke system for purchase orders and invoices.

The other option to consider is to do the L2 computerised accounting module to get a certificate from AAT - or having done L3, I might be able to do the AAT advanced computerised accounting, this includes spreadsheets (and ethics) which is really useful too, but I think the sage is just the L2 content. I'm trying to find out what the software is for this.

I wonder if it's worth calling specialist agencies for advice on what would be best for employability. I've just applied something without sage to see what happens, it's via an agency so may tell me I have no chance.

Agnieszka

ariadne - Let me know when you will know the better option. Are/was you an AAT student?

ariadne

I'm studying, done L3 and just started L4, but I didn't do L2 exams which included the Sage module. You can do a short course with AAT to cover bookkeeping and another for computerised accounts, the latter is the one I'm considering. It's the intermediate level for both, listed in the link below, you could consider, although it may be cheaper to do Sage separately depending what the Sage package is for AAT - I'll update when I find out.

If you are considering doing the bookkeeping course you can do it self study, for AAT it is two exams at L2. You need to buy the books, join AAT and book exams - Kaplan and BPP take external students. It is for beginners so no prior knowledge needed.

https://www.aat.org.uk/qualifications/bookkeeping-and-computerised-accounting