Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Does anyone know where I can start a Bookkeeping or Accountants job whilst studying the subjects?

Does anyone know where I can start a Bookkeeping or Accountants job whilst studying the subjects?
I would like to change my job asap and would like to venture into either bookkeeping or accountancy. I have searched all over the web and on the job search sites and cant find anything at all suitable as they all want experienced people or people half way through the qualifications. I have not started yet and if I can find a job that doesn't desire these qualifications at the beginning I can go on a fast track course whilst working....
Small Business - 3 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
In this economy, companies are only going to take the most qualified person that they can find. Since you have no education in the field and no experience, it will be next to impossible for you to land a job in this field.
Answer 2 :
check craiglist for jobs in accounts payable or accounts receivable- this is entry-level stuff. if you have to offer to work for free, anything to get your foot in the door. or, find a local, small CPA firm that will let you be an intern or ask if they have any clients looking for part-time bookkeeping help.
Answer 3 :
There is a place called the AAT http://www.aat.org.uk/, who offer apprentice based courses. Basically you have to find someone who is willing to take you on, you get paid but its basic minimum wage stuff and then you go to an AAT centre once a week and study to do the exams whilst your also learning as you work. It's hard to get someone to tkae you on but if you can it's worth it. Hard work but well worth it. Most employers will also pay for your exams so you could be earning and get a free qualifications whilst your there.

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

How to best answer this question in an application form?

How to best answer this question in an application form?
Why do you want to study to be a professional accountant? and What qualities do you possess that will make you a successful professional accountant?
Other - Careers & Employment - 1 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
These are both personal questions just be honest. You can't say what you think they want to hear because it will be untruthful. Just answer from your heart and talk up your attributes. Anything you are good at try and work it in. Applications are all about trying to spin things in your favor and make yourself look like an awesome candidate. Don't lie just say what you know is the truth and what you believe.

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

What can I claim for when filling in tax return?

What can I claim for when filling in tax return?
Can somone please tell me.. If I earn £100 for example, and pay £20 to an accountant, does this mean that I can claim that £20 back from the taxman, and if so, doesn't this mean that it's worth everyone, no matter how much they earn (as long as it's in a taxable band) paying an accountant rather than doing it themselves? Also, does anyone have a list of what can be claimed back when self employed? Many thanks all!
United Kingdom - 7 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
My husband is a self employed builder and always claims back his petrol, mobile phone bills, and any money he spends out on tools, or if he needs a new van etc. I think you can claim for things that aid your work, so for example, if you are a hairdresser, you can claim back on a new pair of scissors because without these you would not be able to work.
Answer 2 :
you can claim for everything, ut uf they accept it that matters. Put it all though the books you might be lucky,
Answer 3 :
OK..we can't really work on a figure of £100.00 so let's say you took in £20.000 which puts you into the 22% tax bracket...you add up all the business expenditure and say that comes to £5.000 ..leaves £15.000 less personal allowance of £5000 =£10.000 that you have to pay tax on ..you will pay 10% on £2150 and 22% on £7850 also 8% on £15000 after allowance which is National Insurance so as you can see your business will pay tax on every single pound it makes profit after those deductions ...the accountants free was included in business expense.......you do not claim tax or NI you paid as an expense as that is personal .....if you claim something you are not entitled to claim then it will come back to haunt you along with interest for how many years you got it wrong....it makes no difference to the tax man if you take £100.00 or £40.000 wages ..your tax bill will be the same .......if your income is below £15.000 you would pay the lower tax ..above £32.000 the higher tax ......you can do your tax online by registering with the government gateway https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/login?timeout=true&GAURI=https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/home
Answer 4 :
Hey, it depends on whether the accountant was employed as part of your trade. i.e. it relates wholly and exclusively to the purposes of trade. Yes it does make sense filing in a tax return but a lot of the general public don't know/can't be bothered to do one, so lose tax savings. If you are self employed there are loads of things that you can get deducted against your income to reduce your tax bill, a great example is 40p per mile of all business miles done, up to a max of 10,000. Also general repairs to you premises. Another one is if you contribute to a pension scheme it is tax deductable, so e.g. you pay £78 into a pension scheme, the govt tops that up by putting in another £22, thus giving you tax relief of £22. I could go on and on, if you want more details feel free to email me. Otherwise I will go on fro about 3 pages!
Answer 5 :
The Revenue have an extensive web-site just for people like yourself. On this website if you follow the links will answer all your questions. Goto the link below. You can also telephone 0845 900 0444 for help with a tax return they are open 8.0am to 8.pm seven days a week.
Answer 6 :
I don't quite think that you have an understanding of the tax system in the UK. You don't 'claim' back money from HMRC. You only pay tax on your net profit which is your business income less your business expenses. If you pay an accountant to prepare a set of accountant for your business then this is an 'allowable deduction' against income. 'Allowable deductions' are expenses that are incurred wholly and exclusively for your business. If there is any private element to the expense, then it is not allowed - for example the cost of your lunch, fuel for travelling from your home to your place of business. Capital expenditure is not an allowable expense. Capital expense are those spent on things that you keep to use in your business to earn income. For example, cars, vans, computers, machinery, tables, desks, chairs etc. However there is an allowance available for certain types of capital expenditure. It would have been better to employ the services of an accountant when you have started up the business so that you maintained a high standard of records. A good bookkeeping system will keep down the cost of accounts preparation. The cost of preparing a tax return is not an allowable expense.
Answer 7 :
If one is self-employed, it is worth paying accountancy fees, as not to miss allowable expenses and not to claim for wrong items and be in trouble. Accountancy fee, for example, to do your tax return, is not "allowable". To do your tax return is considered "personal" expense. It may be a false economy not to employ a qualified accountant, who can do your accounts computing correct profit and give other tax planing etc advice.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Do you have to provide your tax return as evidence of self employment for a job?

Do you have to provide your tax return as evidence of self employment for a job?
I have a job offer. The company wishes to speak/ write to to my accountant. I don't want to send the company my tax return. Will a letter from an accountant stating turnover, profits etc suffice?
Law & Legal - 5 Answers
People Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
ask your accountant, he deals w/ that everyday.
Answer 2 :
Yes that will be suficient enough. If they require more information take it from there, but they shouldnt do. I suppose they just want a reference and proof of how long you were trading for really and if you were your own boss you cant really give yourself a reference so a letter from your accountant is he next best thing. Good luck with the new job!!!!
Answer 3 :
Why are they asking this. It is none of their business what your turnover is. If they want to give you a job under your s/e basis, all they would need is references from people you have worked for, and maybe a letter from your Accountant just to say you are self employed. UK
Answer 4 :
This is quite a strange request, but is probably nothing more sinister than checking you really have been 'doing something' as opposed to either doing nothing or doing something untoward (eg in the nick!). Ask them exactly what they need to establish and why (phrase it 'so that I can be as helpful as possible').
Answer 5 :
Hi there, You should be able to prove that you are Self-employed without revealing your business' performance, such as turnover figures. As suggested, ask your accountant, or call the Self Employed Helpline (0191 225 4655, I think this number is still working), they might be able to offer you an advice. Good luck!

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