How the AAT have enabled me to grow as a MIP and become the accountant I dreamed of.

Buhir_the_Bookkeeper

Hi All

I am new to posting so please forgive my novice tone. Just wanted to encourage you all work extra hard to pass your exams and use the AAT route to becoming fantastic accountants and bookkeepers. I am now a MIP and have grown my practice over four years with £0 budget. Thank Allah I now have regular work, a small and growing portfolio of clients and lots of fantastic experience.

I qualified in 2006. Knowing I wanted to be an accountant one day and with the support of my course tutors in Swindon I got through my exams and started as a trainee accountant. Many years later, I got a practicing license and faced the situation to start working as a self-employed bookkeeper. I had already gained 5 years’ experience post AAT level 4 and thought it would be good to start as a bookkeeper. I knew I wanted to start my own practice but did not want to do more than I could handle.

Anyway the AAT MIP was the route that I took and what amazing support the AAT MIP team provide. I have been able to build on my practicing license bit by bit. So as I gained more experience in either Taxation, Accounting, Payroll, as charity accountant as a business consultant and much more AAT supported me all the way. I am now trading out of offices in Bristol and Cardiff and cannot thank AAT and The MIP structure enough.

For all you budding Practice owners, this is really a great way to get started. There is so much support on the AAT website for:…. Technical Tax queries, accounting queries from the ICAEW technical helpline, Ethics & money laundering from the AAT and many other compliance areas. AAT provide many useful online training guides for areas covered in practice. Such as completing personal tax returns, and VAT. They also have great advice and material on marketing and templates for contracts between the practice and its clients (Letters of engagement). Not to mention phone advice as well. This is really a great way to get a practice off the ground with continual ongoing guidance.

Please if you get a chance look around the AAT MIP section….. Because like me you could start small…..Just need a printer and a laptop a desk and a small bookshelf and filing cabinet. Not to mention working hard and some long hours along the way. Some Bookkeeping software and support from the AAT & ICAEW & HMRC experts (Register as a HMRC Agent and ensure you work with them every step of the way) to ensure all compliance is being met. Then as you take on more and more clients watch, your dreams grow and flourish.

Keep trying hard everyone. Get to AAT4 and try to gain a training contract to become fully qualified. Not to miss the dream of becoming a successful Accountant Bookkeeper or taxation specialist. Then if you feel confident to go out on your own check out the AAT Members in Practice section on their website. Looking back at it all now, I cannot believe the amount of available support AAT have provided its members to become successful Members in Practice.

Good luck all and Thanks AAT.

StuartW

Thanks for sharing your story @Buhir_the_Bookkeeper! Welcome to AAT's discussion forums.