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Hello all, I am coming up to a year with the ICB and I thought I'd share my progress with you all. But first a bit of background.
Previously I had worked in employment in accounting and some form or another - cashier, purchase ledger, sole bookkeeper, etc. I had become pretty competent in doing my job - made lots of problems on the way but ended up in a sole BK role for a small company.
In July 2010 I moved house, became a single parent and became redundant, all on the same day! I decided that I'd take the summer off working so I could settle in to the new house, and also settle the kids over the school holidays.
While the kids were spending a few hours here and there with their dad, I offered to help out the business situated next door to where i'd been made redundant from. It's a small company - 2 owners plus 2 casual workers - and there accounts were in a right state. I stripped their Sage accounts and rebuilt it, without errors, and gave their BK lots of training. Their Accountant loved me as it meant less work for them.
By the Sept I had to decide what I was going to do for work, so after lots of thinking decided to try out being self-employed. My confidence was at an all time high but I didn't know how to get the elusive first client. I tried advertising in shop windows, local newspapers and local small business networking websites but nothing came of it. I even tried emailing the contacts that i had come to know while i was in employment, but still nothing came of it.
I registered with HMRC as a sole trader in November, but without any business.
My first client came via the company i'd helped out. They mentioned that a local organisation was losing their BK, so I rang them up for a chat. I had to submit a tender, but a month or so later landed the contract. I'm still there.
I then decided to get some accreditation and join the ICB and worked my way up to Associate and get my practice licence.
Next came a phone call from an Accountant of a local practise, who had been given my details by one the contacts I had emailed. One of his clients was looking for a BK, and would I be interested. I jumped at the chance and took on the contract. His son is a self employed builder, and he asked me to keep his books too so I agreed (just up to TB; SA is left to the Acct). The son's Acct is so pleased with my work that he wants me to take on some of his clients' BK - that will be happening later this year.
The Accountant from the very first business I helped out has since passed me 2 of their clients, one in May last year, and one this week.
An employment agency that I used to know gave me contact details of a small business that was looking for a BK - I've been with them since June last year.
Just before Christmas I was contacted by a local man who had got my details from one of the local business networking websites, and I start with him next month.
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So the moral of my tale is - if you have no experience then do what you can to get some. Voluntary roles - church, youth groups, etc. Once you have got experience, network all you can, make and keep friends in the industry, and make a good name for yourself. But the most important thing is - set yourself a goal and find out who you are. If BK is for you then work hard and stay focussed.
Helen x
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