Went to the book keeping course today (with Miriam and Kev) and as I had NO background in it whatsoever I was MILES behind everyone else. It didn’t help that the tutor was whizzing through it all too fast for me (because of having to try and translate it all as I went) coz everyone else understood.

The test at the end took me nearly an hour – everyone else took about 35/40mins. We had to fill in a sheet of pay ins and expenditures (as we’ll have to do for our businesses) then do a summary sheet of it with the end profit clearly calculated (like you’d submit with your tax return). It reminded me of maths exams where they tell you to show all the working out steps :S Though it took me way longer I then understood it and managed to get all the right answers.

It was bloomin hard work but I got there. Then I heard the guy was doing another course after lunch so I called mum to get her to pick us up after that one.

The second course was all about VAT and other taxes. I didn’t struggle as much having just understood the morning course by now (lucky I could do it all in one go!) I learnt that as Andy, Miriam and I are all going to be directors we need to do 4 tax returns – one each plus the one for the business. At least it’s just the short from as we shouldn’t be earning enough to make us have to do a long form (thank god!) We also learnt about national insurance brackets, dividends, wear and tear costs etc.

All in all I felt great after the 2 courses but my brain does feel a tad melted lol! At least I know I’ll have a basic grasp on what to do with the books and I can repeat a course if necessary at a later date when we’ve actually started trading and the book keeping and taxation comes in in full force!