Forum

• # 123002
• Tue 19 Nov 2024 02:01 PM

Hi everyone, 

I qualified as a bookkeeper (ICB level 2 and 3) last year and am still looking for opportunities to gain more experience and support as I start my bookkeeping journey. I work part-time for a company doing bookkeeping but I would really benefit from support and contact with my peers in order to develop my skills further and gain more confidence. 

I have contacted ICB and they tole me this was the best option so I am hoping that I might get into contact with people in a similar situation.  I was really hoping there might be mentoring opportunities but there don't sem to be any directly from the ICB and I wondered if has anyone knew of any other opportunities? I also think that further practical training might help but I am not finding what I was hoping for so suggestions are welcome. 

I am currently trying to get more work but keep being told I need more experience so it's a bit of a vicious circle! I am doing some voluntary bookkeeping starting soon to gain more experience and I have reached out about my next local branch meeting as I haven't managed to go to one so far. 

Are there other (low cost or free) networking opportunities please? 

Thanks a lot

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• # 123005
• Wed 20 Nov 2024 04:24 PM

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your journey so far. What opportunities are you looking for please? Do you want to work in the industry or do you want to set up your own book keeping/acccounting firm?

I was under the impression ICB has support groups and help to set up own practice once you are qualified. Did you not find such support services since you are now qualified?

Have a look at the below url. It has alot of information.

https://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Resources/Running-a-Practice

Eg:

A4 Guide to starting your bookkeeping business
ICB has produced a handy A4 guide to answer the important questions about setting up a bookkeeping business. ICB can send this to you in the post together with an application form for a Practice Licence and information about compulsory insurance for your business.

Please call or email ICB to request the guide, quoting your ICB Number.

0203 405 4000
info@bookkeepers.org.uk

Benefits for Members with a Practice Licence
Practice Licence holders benefit from enhanced access to the restricted content within the Running a Practice section of the website. You can see what sort of content is included from the right hand menu and it includes:

Advice on marketing and advertising
Advice on contacting accountants and potential clients
Discounted Professional Indemnity Insurance
Downloadable templates for letters of engagement and contracts

Hope this helps 

Best wishes,

• =====

  Sabir Elias AATQB MICB

  Accounting Professional with 15+ Years’ Experience

  Interested in collaborating? Check my email in my bio.

  =====

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• # 123008
• Fri 22 Nov 2024 04:42 PM

Hi Sabir,

Thanks for your response. 

I have downloaded the information and will look at it in mre detail.  I was hoping however, to find some more in-person support and ideally access to some kind of mentoring. 

Thanks

Karen

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• # 123009
• Fri 22 Nov 2024 07:31 PM

Hi Karen,

May I ask what kind of mentoring are you after?

Do you want mentoring for industry or do you want mentoring to help you set up your own book keeping firm and find clients? If you can elaborate on this, then I am sure people reading this can be of help.

Thanks,

Sabir

• =====

  Sabir Elias AATQB MICB

  Accounting Professional with 15+ Years’ Experience

  Interested in collaborating? Check my email in my bio.

  =====

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• # 123015
• Tue 26 Nov 2024 01:26 PM

Hi Sabir,

Thanks for getting back to me again. 

I am interested in any kind of mentoring but I suppose in the longer term it would be mentoring to facilitate having my own clients and bookkeeping business. 

I am also looking for opportunities to meet with other bookkeepers and learn what they do/ how they operate etc. So if anyone is interested in meeting up and is near East London that would be great. 

Thanks

Karen

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• # 123236
• Tue 03 Jun 2025 10:29 AM

Hi Karen,

Attend more networking events and also ICB's  in person or online branch meetings are very useful where you can present yourself or share the story. You would get a chance to introduce yourself and you never know someone could be looking for the help or trying to get sub contractor. You can also join various branches facebook groups. Some of the branches organise co working at cafe or other places where you can join.

I hope this helps.

Thank you very much.

Kind regards,

Mehul Dave

•  

  Thank you very much.

  Kind Regards,

  Mehul Dave MICB PM Dip

   

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