self employment

System

Hi People

As Christmas is behind us and the new year fast approaching, it is time to reflect and also to move forward. If there is anyone out there who is self employed then I believe you will be the right person to help me.

For the past two years I have been thinking of working from home as I need to work round my children. What I would like to do is credit control and other book keeping stuff. My question is how to advertise myself effectively to get clients.

I always thought I need to qualify first as I have only one more paper to do but some one said as long as i have the experience I could go for it.

Please help anyone.

Desperate Otsua.

System

Re:self employment

Hi Otsua

I went Self Employed in September.

I've tried advertising in my local free magazine, church magazine and the Yellow Pages, but I've had very little response from them.

All of my work has come from word of mouth and writing to Accountants to see if they outsource bookkeeping.

Before you actually start working don't forget to apply to the AAT to become a Member in Practice. I contacted the AAT before I started advertising and they said it would be ok to advertise but I would need to become a Member in Practice before I started working. Another thing you will need if you are keeping clients books at your home is Data Protection.

Good Luck

Sue

System

Re:self employment

Can you still become a member in practice if you haven't yet qualified? In which case you can make no reference to AAT what so ever until you have the full qualification.

Regards

Dean

System

Re:self employment

Hi Sue,

did you take out insurance- if so how much was it - due to family commitments i am going to have to go self employed soon - did you study payroll as well or the Tax Technicians qualification?

Thanks

Karen

System

Re:self employment

Hi Karen

To become a Member in Practice you have to take out the Insurance. I took mine out with Trafalgar Risk Management, their details are on the AAT website. I did get quotes from elsewhere and Trafalgar House say that if you find a quote that is better that theirs they will match it and give a further £25 discount. They didn't, they got a bit funny with me about it, but I decided to go with them anyway as I wanted it all done quickly. I did speak to someone else who registered about the same time as me and her insurance with a different company was a lot more expensive, so I guess Trafalgar House is probably a good option as at least we know their policy is acceptable with the AAT.

I took the tax option, I think the syllabus is different now to when I took it a couple of years ago.

In answer to Dean's question, I'd suggest contacting the AAT anyway to see where you stand. I am an ACCA student, I can't quote that for my Self Employment, but I felt it was best to let them know to make sure I wasn't in breach of any rules.

Sue

System

Re:self employment

Hi sue

Thanks for the reply...

I put that post becuase I have already contacted AAT about it and I was told that until you are fully qualified you can make no reference to the body.

Just seeing other people reactions really incase anyone had any other experiences.

So thanks again :-)

Regards

Dean

System

Re:self employment

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the advice.

Regards,
Karen

System

Re:self employment

Thanks a lot Sue for the info very helpful. Any chance of having your e mail address in case i get stranded on any other issues.

Otsua

System

Re:self employment

Hi Otsua

My email address is

One bit of advice with email addresses, if you set one up like I have starting with accounting or something similar, make sure your anti-virus software is up to date. I receive approximately 10 junk emails a day to this address.

I've found I've got a lot more work, by saying I will work at the Clients premises. I'm not sure whether as you are planning to work around your family, you will have the flexibilty to do that, but I haven't had any problems so far when I've wanted to change my hours and the pay is a lot better than full time employment.

Sue

System

Re:self employment

Sue, what is it you actually do for people?

Regards

Dean

System

Re:self employment

Do you need a lot experience in this area before you actually start self-employ? Who are you going to seek advice or enquiry in the meantime?

Thanks

System

Re:self employment

I worked for an Accountancy, bookkeeping and payroll bureau for 18 months until I was made redundant, that's when I decided to go Self Employed. I gained some experience working there, but since I've left and spoken to lots of other Accountants, I've discovered the boss I was working for wasn't very professional and isn't meeting the requirements he should be with for example Money Laundering.

At the moment I am mainly doing the bookkeeping and payroll, both of which I have been doing for 18 years so I haven't had any problems with. If any Client asks me something I don't want to answer either because I am not sure of the answer or because I don't feel it is my responsiblity to make the decision I suggest they speak to their Accountant.

System

Re:self employment

Thanks Sue for all your help. Im sure I'll be in touch.

All the best in all you do.


Otsua