Standard of questions

System
System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 9 in General accounting discussion
To say this is a forum for MIP I am surprised by the basic questions being asked. Anyone agree?

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    such as?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/12304.page

    http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/12284.page

    http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/12306.page

    http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/12329.page

    http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/12296.page;jsessionid=3297EFBCDFDF672A5A0F5BB5039EF878

    http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/12404.page;jsessionid=3297EFBCDFDF672A5A0F5BB5039EF878
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Dont see the problem with people checking if they are unsure
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I agree with Paul - we all have blonde moments - or just need the re-assurance that we are doing things properly.

    I suspect that the majority of MIPs are OMBs are therefore do not have a colleague opposite that they can just check things with - we have virtual colleagues instead :D

    Claudia
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Rather than an aggressive first post you might like to contribute to the forums!

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I completly agree! What the hell is his problem? Not all of us are 100% sure in ALL areas of practice and a little help which is offered on this website from others is a godsend! Especially with people (like myself who are newly qualified and new to self employment)and are struggling with areas they are not profficient in, where else can we expect to receive educated and informative advice?

    I personally welcome every query posted on this website, there is always something even the most informed people can learn from.

    Moan over
    Siany :roll:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    The level of interest in the threads John has highlighted indicates that the questions are valid and appropriate for the members currently posting regularly on this forum. I feel there is a good mix of newly qualified members setting up in business and those prepared to offer help based on their own knowledge and experience.
    We can all learn from forums such as this one and I am sure there are some who would welcome the opportunity to participate in one or two more challenging exchanges. Perhaps it would attract some "new blood" to the forum and help to expand the number of regular participants, thus increasing the value of the forum for all members.
    John, your post suggests you have an enormous amount of knowledge and experience in practice. I hope you will be able to share some of it with the rest of us.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I think that how some of the posts are worded may give the impression that some members/students have a lack of practical knowledge which is of concern.

    However, we have to bear in mind that it is possible to study through to Technician with very limited practical experience.

    I think we would all agree that there is an enormous difference between completing tasks in a classroom, to actually being presented with a set of incomplete records that are normally stuffed into a carrier bag.

    It's a bit like being stuck behind a 'Learner' Driver - we all had to do it! Let's try and be patient and not hoot on the horn when they stall the engine!

    8)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Hi

    Tend to agree woth the majority of the posts on this thread that most the questions are reasonable.

    I'll be honest and say that there are some questions on the forums i've read that make me think "are you sure you know what you are doing?!?!" or "if you need to ask that you'll never know!!!", but on the whole I think most the questions are valid, and most seem to be for clarificaton rather than a pure question.

    Neil
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    That was my point Neil, not all postings are basic but there are some which as you said you wonder if they know what they are doing.
    As far as the 'Learner' Driver' quote I agree but as a MIP we are no longer learners we are in fact the 'Driving Instructor' being in practice is not the time to start learning and a need to show competence is required both to clients and the association, surely.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Can i ask then what you are doing on here? Most people are here to learn, or to help others to learn. If you are doing neither, dont bother coming on
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Although I am not a Member in Practice, I often look at this forum for an insight into issues that may concern my work. I would also consider posing questions on this forum if I thought that an MIP would be best able to answer it. I am not aware of any strict rules of what type of queries are relevant to a specific forum but try to apply common sense. I think negative comments like the one from John9025 would put me off considering a post and although I really dont care what he may think of my technical knowledge, others may.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    here here,

    I agree with A Marie, i too am not yet a MIP, However, Like A Marie said i too would be put off to post any queries if all MIP's like John9025 were to critise. John9025, have there not been any times when you were unsure? Or do you know the answers to EVERY question??
    We all have to learn, and not all of us are as quick as others. Every day is different in life and so are the obstacles we come across. We all deal with these obstacles in different ways, some of us ask for help and some dont. Please dont undermind the people who are honest enough to actually ask for help! After all if you DONT ASK YOU DONT KNOW!!!!!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    John

    Can I ask what you do? Do you work on your own or do you have Colleagues around you?

    For those of us that work at home on are own, it's good to be able to discuss things with someone in a similar situation and the AAT forum is one of the few places you can turn to, to be able to discuss a client without people realising who you are talking about.

    If you find the questions too basic, then why read them? You obviously have too much spare time.

    Sue
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    What a shame there's always one - learning never stops however far advanced you are - forums are a great place to share ideas and gain new knowlegde or just confirm what you suspected
    You can't possibly be an expert in all areas accountancy is a vast topic that is continuously evolving !!

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I do agree with some of what John has said to an extent. In order to be a member in practice you should have a degree of knowledge in order to be able to advise people correctly and do the job competently. Surely if you are offering certain services to the public you should have already had a degree of experience in the service you are offering?
    However, having said that, a lot of the questions are for clarification purposes, and I think it far better that people list there queries here rather than to give incorrect advice. Accountancy and tax are very vast subjects and it is impossible to be an expert in every aspect of it! We all need a little help occassionaly. It should never be discouraged.

    Perhaps John could answer my question on LLPs/software?? :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I agree with baggybooks about the difference between the classroom and the workplace. In the classroom I learnt how to compute figures relating to VAT,and I might even have been shown a sample VAT100. But I don't recall being taught what can, and cannot be claimed in various circumstances, or indeed where to find that information. I learnt nothing of EU VAT rules in the classroom and am sure no-one warned me of the mileage / fuel minefield.
    The fact that members are asking these questions demonstrates they have sufficient understanding of the tax system to know when they need to research the treatment of a particular situation. Who better to ask for help than fellow forum members - then we can all share and learn from each other.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I began working for a firm of accountants in 1980 (yes, 1980!) and have progressed from junior to accountant/company secretary.

    I am amazed at how students that have no practical experience progress so well through the stages of AAT.

    All of my knowledge has been gained through work-experience.

    I don't have a problem with anyone asking questions. The ones to worry about are the ones that don't ask!

    8)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    "I am amazed at how students that have no practical experience progress so well through the stages of AAT."

    Why are you so amazed, you are supposed to be able to do it that way. I have no experience of practice, or even working on final accounts (except for AAT exams and sims) and i am waiting my final results! As long as you ask questions, and read, and study, you can learn anything!


  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Can't stand it any longer, just have to comment.

    As previously stated, these forums are for everyone registered to ask advice not just MIP's. Being able to pass a test under test conditions does not prepare you for everything you have to face 'in the real world'.

    If people have a problem with the 'standards' of others it should be AAT they are questioning i.e., are their pass marks too low, is the level of practical experience enough et, not putting people down for trying to ensure that they have the correct info/answers.

    I would hate to think that people would be put of from asking, shared experiences are invaluable.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I find this forum very helpful and inspiring, it's a godsend to people like me who are making the first steps into self employment.
    I have been lucky enough to have had several years of working in an accounts environment but still need clarification on some issues.
    I also think that the marjority of people on this forum have the common sense to research their query as well as asking for advice.
    Don't know about anyone else but it feels like the wind has been taken out of my sails if someone feels this is a 'nursery' for budding MIP's!!
    I hope that this post will not put other people off asking for advice.

    Sharon
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Hi all - just had to comment, seeing as one of my posts re: P60's has been hightlighted by John!

    I am not going to defend myself or my question! I actually found it quite amusing (although a little pompous!) that John could be bothered to even go to all that effort of picking out threads etc! To gain what, I wonder! it certainly doesnt put me off asking for any advice should I need it - nor offering advice when needed!

    This forum is a godsend and no doubt has helped numerous people. Keep it up all !! :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    This has been great ! in the past I have been too nervous to ask questions which I thought were too easy. The response to this thread as reinforced my belief that there is a terrific support network out there and I won't be so shy in the future.

    Well done John !
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I agree Sevren.

    What one person finds easy another finds difficult.
    Don't be shy - just ask :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    I agree too. No matter how experienced and / or qualified we are, we all have something to learn and there is always the potention to come across A problem never previously encountered.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    My thoughts exactly :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Standard of questions

    Thank you John for your comments!! As a new MIP I have given a lot of thought to placing my first question (In my mind a silly one)on this forum. You have now convinced me that I was right "I will make myself look incapable!!Fact is I know what I should be doing but having gained my first client and feeling nervous its nice to gain reassurance by talking to someone else. :(

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