KBM paid work experience

Mun123 · July 20

Hi guys

Currently an AAT Level 3 bookkeeping student looking to move to Level 4 accounting after hopefully completing Tax process exam. In the meantime have been looking around for voluntary/unpaid work experience in my local area. Have gone door to door with several small accounting practices. All have declined very frustrated at not being able to find some work experience whilst studying.

But I did come across this company KBM yesterday https://www.kbmtr.co.uk/ they mentioned about offering work experience. I did contact them and spoke to an advisor and have been quoted from £600-1000 for 3-6 months of hybrid work experience. Wondering has anyone ever paid for work experience? Is this a scam or are they a legitimate company?

Are they are renowned for accountancy training? Does anyone have any experience with them?

Has anyone else ever paid to get work experience with another training provider before? Does it make any difference to your CV and help in getting you an entry job?

shamilkaria · July 20

Hi @Mun123

I hope you are well?

I have never heard of this firm plus you shouldn't pay anyone to get any work experience it's most likely a company looking for quick money. Have you tried looking on Reed / Total Jobs / CV Library / Indeed? Also got volunteering sites like Do It Volunteering - https://www.doit.life/volunteer
I would also message charities and small shops and keep trying accountancy firms near your area see if they can give you something. It is a difficult market getting a job right now.

Hope this helps

Many thanks

Shamil

Mun123 · July 20

Fine thanks

How do you find work experience on Reed etc?
I have also contacted many charity shops but can't find anything.

I understand most accounting practices don't have time to train people so offering money might be one way of securing work experience. I might try this option. I need to get 1 year's worth of experience under my belt in any capacity.

shamilkaria · July 20

Hi @Mun123

On Reed you can get into entry level roles like purchase ledger and then grow your skills.

Try other small shops etc it will happen it is difficult

It will happen just have patience the market right now is tough. Try the do it volunteering site too they do get many roles too as volunteers

Kind regards

Shamil

Mun123 · July 20

Can you get purchase ledger roles with L2/L3 bookkeeping? I have passed my FAPS unit with 91% and only have tax process left. But I feel like I need to be more qualified and need to learn accounting software Sage/Xero and learn payroll. Unsure what to do.

What kind of small shops? Thought most of them already have accountants etc

Do it volunteering site is it mostly working from home? Do you get any mentors or support? I just need to train somewhere for a few months and get some work experience before working on my own.

shamilkaria · July 21

Hi @Mun123

Definitely purchase ledger roles are entry level roles. Most will ask for experience but as you have almost completed your level 3 that is plenty to show your commitment and they may give you an opportunity one company as a Purchase Ledger Clerk. You could also look at Sales Ledger Jobs, Credit Control, Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant etc.

Software's you can easily learn by downloading the demo / trials from their websites and using YouTube lol plus each company does it their own way so as long as you are willing to learn systems isn't any issue.

Shops may have their own accountants but just tell them you want to learn by supporting their accountant. It is difficult getting a job don't get me wrong.

Did you have a look on do it volunteering when I checked a few months ago many opportunities to go into a office for example charity office to help out with accounts not just home working. Keep looking around on there plus check the other links I gave I'm pretty sure you will find something

Kind regards

Sham

Mun123 · July 25

Thanks I have looked at Do it volunteering can't find anything related to accounting/bookkeeping.

but as you have almost completed your level 3 that is plenty to show your commitment and they may give you an opportunity one company as a Purchase Ledger Clerk.

Despite nearing my completion of AAT level 3 bookkeeping I still don't feel like I am qualified enough. Like I need to learn more. Pitman training have quoted me £500+ for Sage50 accounts training and Payroll training: with Payroll principles, advanced excel and Sage payroll for around £800.
I think if I learn Sage/Xero/Quickbooks software it would probably give me more confidence and understanding. I haven't used excel in years I really need to start practicing it again.

I have seen some of the youtube tutorials but I kind of prefer learning from structure. I have found learning from a structured approach has given me a better understanding of the subjects involved. But the YouTube stuff has been helpful in terms of preparing for exams.

Would love to find one of these remote/hybrid jobs working from home.

shamilkaria · July 26

Hi @Mun123

Getting qualified enough comes from work experience. It will happen don't worry. It is a very tough work market right now. With Excel you don't need to pay to learn it there is tons of free resources out there. See below Excel Link:

https://excel-practice-online.com/

Payroll - unless you want to specialise in it I wouldn't recommend only some companies ask for it if you work as an accountant.

Sage 50 accounts - you can go on Sage and download a trial and learn via YouTube loads of videos there.

You really don't need to spend money on these you just need to keep moving along with your AAT and jobs will come. But entirely your choice if you want to pay for structured learning. You could try Udemy they have courses on there usually cheaper.

Remote / Hybrid working with no experience is very rare because you haven't got the experience for the company it's easier to teach you in the office rather than by remote working.

Hope this helps

Many thanks

Shamil

KBM paid work experience

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