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• # 111955
• Fri 01 Jan 2016 03:15 PM

Hello Everyone and a Happy New Year,

I am currently studying level 3 having recently passed my level 2 exams with an aim of having my own practive towards the end of this year.  What I am struggling with most is the lack of real life experience with what I am learning.  I am the kind of person that learns well on the job, I take in the information far better than when studying from books.

I was wondering whether anyone else was in this situation when they were studying and what they did about it?  Any advice would be welcome.

It would be ideal to have a buddy, someone who owns their own practice local to me where I could volunteer my time to help them whilst at the same time gaining the experience I need.  Is this the kind of thing that people would be willing to do?

I have also thought about applying for a role within a company and gaining experience that way unitl I am ready to open my own practice, I am only available 2 days a week as it currently stands so this would be a little tricky to achive I think.

I really would appreciate any help anyone can offer me, I am in Hampshire and my email address is jules170180@yahoo.co.uk if people would prefer to contact me directly.

Thanks

Jules

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• # 111998
• Wed 06 Jan 2016 04:41 PM

Julia Hill said:

“

Hello Everyone and a Happy New Year,

I am currently studying level 3 having recently passed my level 2 exams with an aim of having my own practive towards the end of this year.  What I am struggling with most is the lack of real life experience with what I am learning.  I am the kind of person that learns well on the job, I take in the information far better than when studying from books.

I was wondering whether anyone else was in this situation when they were studying and what they did about it?  Any advice would be welcome.

It would be ideal to have a buddy, someone who owns their own practice local to me where I could volunteer my time to help them whilst at the same time gaining the experience I need.  Is this the kind of thing that people would be willing to do?

I have also thought about applying for a role within a company and gaining experience that way unitl I am ready to open my own practice, I am only available 2 days a week as it currently stands so this would be a little tricky to achive I think.

I really would appreciate any help anyone can offer me, I am in Hampshire and my email address is jules170180@yahoo.co.uk if people would prefer to contact me directly.

 

Thanks

Jules

 

”

 Hi Jules,

I'm in a similar position to you, i.e. studying L3 and hoping to start my own practice in the future. To gain some experience I have recently started bookkeeping for a local charity on a voluntary basis. I am gaining experience and doing my bit for the community. Might be worth a thought if you don't get any offers?

Good luck!

Jan

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  Janet D

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• # 111999
• Wed 06 Jan 2016 06:37 PM

Thanks Jan,  That is good advice I will try that route.  Do you mind telling me how you are doing it? a computer package that you have paid for, one that they use or manually?

Thanks

Jules

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• # 112144
• Mon 18 Jan 2016 04:30 PM

Hi Jules,

Sorry for the late reply, it has been a bit 'full on' recently.

At the moment I am using Excel spreadsheets. I have to say that after using Sage, I find this method quite tedious and time consuming. Equally though, it is giving me more experience as I am trying to develop a more user-friendly spreadsheet for them but at the moment it is a bit of a nightmare...

I am currently volunteering there 2 days a week for approximately 5 hours and I am also required to go to the committee meetings once a month and prepare a report about their current financial status. My predecessor produced full monthly management accounts but to be honest, the trustees didn't really understand them so mine is a simple 'this is how much you've received and spent this month', bank balances and a notte of any unusual or exceptional income/expenses.

My other challenge is that 3 separate people have been running the cash book and each one has used a slightly different method which should be interesting as the year-end accounts are approaching.....

Hope this has helped you? I'm a firm believer in the more problems that you can face and conquer the more your confidence will grow (well, that's the theory anyway :-))

Good luck with your search.

Keep in touch.

Jan

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  Janet D

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• # 112230
• Wed 27 Jan 2016 09:20 AM

Thanks Jan,

At least I know now that excel spreadsheets are a workable option.  I will shortly be on the hunt for a charity that I can work with :)  Once I get past my upcoming B4 exam!

Thanks

Jules

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