Getting Started in Bookkeeping Practice: What You Really Need to Know

Starting your own bookkeeping practice can feel like a bold move—but if you’ve been thinking about it, chances are it’s because you’re ready for something more flexible, more meaningful, or simply more yours.

Maybe you’ve been working in finance for years. Maybe you’re starting completely fresh. Either way, you don’t need to figure it all out alone.

At Ideal Schools, we’ve helped thousands of learners take those early steps—with guidance, real support from experienced tutors, and qualifications that open doors to clients, confidence, and career freedom.

And if you're ready to make your start this June, we've got something special to help.

The Basics: What Is a Bookkeeping Practice?

A bookkeeping practice is essentially your own business where you provide bookkeeping services to clients—these might be sole traders, small limited companies, or contractors.

You can start small, working from home with a laptop and accounting software, and grow your business as you gain more clients and experience.

This setup gives you flexibility, ownership of your time, and the potential for long-term income and independence. But it also means understanding your responsibilities—and getting the right training is essential.

Why Get Qualified Before You Launch?

You may be confident with spreadsheets, numbers, or even basic tax. But being a bookkeeper means more than just knowing where to put the figures.

You need to understand accounting principles, compliance rules, client communication, and record-keeping standards. Mistakes—especially with tax submissions—can have serious consequences for clients and your reputation.

That's why professional certification matters. With a recognised qualification like those from the ICB, you’re not only building skill—you’re showing clients and HMRC that you’re trained, regulated, and ready.

Why Ideal Schools Is a Great Place to Start

We’ve been training self-employed bookkeepers for over 40 years. Our tutors aren’t just academic—they’ve worked in practice and know exactly what the job involves.

And right now, if you enrol on the MICB pathway in June, you’ll also receive the Self Assessment Taxation module absolutely free. That gives you even more practical value as you prepare to serve real clients. This offer ties directly into our focus on supporting self-employment success.

Plus, all new enrolees this month will receive our brand-new Getting Started in Practice guide, packed with insights from a recent live webinar with our lead tutors.

Want to launch your own business? Our various Self-Employment Packages offer you a comprehensive route to achieving your ambitions.

What’s in the “Getting Started” Guide?

You’ll get a free copy when you enrol this June. Inside, we cover:

• The legal and financial responsibilities of setting up as a bookkeeper

• How to apply for your ICB practice licence

• What to include in a Letter of Engagement

• How to register with HMRC as an agent

• Tips for your first clients and systems to get in place early

It’s written by our tutors and based on hundreds of conversations with learners who’ve launched successful practices in the past two years.

You Don’t Need to Be Perfect—Just Willing to Learn

Plenty of our most successful students started with no background in finance. What made the difference? Willingness to learn, the right qualification, and knowing there’s someone to turn to when you hit a roadblock.

We offer real, human tutor support—no bots, no auto-marking. Just award-winning guidance from people who’ve been there.

Your confidence builds with each course, and by the time you’re qualified, you’ll not only know your numbers—you’ll know how to run a client meeting, troubleshoot submissions, and keep your business running smoothly.

The Power of Community (Even When You Study from Home)

One of the biggest fears people have when starting something new—especially a solo business—is feeling isolated.

But our community is strong. From student-only Facebook groups to one-to-one tutor calls, you’re never going it alone. You’ll be learning alongside others at a similar stage and hearing from those who’ve already made the leap.

Some students even end up collaborating, referring clients, or forming mini support networks to help one another grow.

Is Now the Right Time? Here’s Why It Might Be

You might never feel “ready.” But with Making Tax Digital coming in over the next few years, the demand for bookkeepers is set to rise—dramatically.

Whether your clients are self-employed creatives, property landlords, or small businesses, they’ll need someone to help them keep records, manage software, and submit quarterly reports.

That someone could be you.

And if you start now, you’ll be fully qualified and experienced just in time to take advantage of that growing demand.

Let’s Get You Started

There’s no one right way to build a bookkeeping practice—but there is a smarter, more supported way.

That’s what we offer. Practical guidance, recognised qualifications, and personal support from the day you enrol.

Ready to begin? Check out our ICB Courses and learn more about our Self-Employment Packages.

Enrol in June and get the Self Assessment Taxation module FREE plus a copy of our “Getting Started in Practice” guide.

Let’s build your new career—together.