So many of our MYOB Course students have been running their own bookkeeping company as virtual assistants for a number of years; some of them now want to know how to become a Certified BAS Agent. This article is going to uncover what it takes to become a Certified BAS Agent.
What Does it Take to Be Certified?
To be a Certified BAS Agent you need to have a few things ticked off by various agencies:
- One of the first things is to complete a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping) or (Accounting) or more advance completion of a Diploma, Advance Diploma or Degree in bookkeeping or accounting. The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) have a complete list of preferred suppliers.
- Have at least 3 years of relevant experience, for example, as a bookkeeper.
- You also have to become a member of ICB to become certified. This is the hub for all bookkeepers and BAS agents. The ICB has loads of practical up-to-date information, networks, notifications of jobs in your local area and so forth. Once you become a member of ICB you are allowed to use their crest on your stationery, which grants you further credibility and professionalism.
- Insurance is another requirement; PI insurance or Professional Liability insurance. This helps protect you and your business in the occurrence of a claim made against you by a client. Your client might suggest that they have suffered a loss due to effect of a breach of contract, non-performance or some such; this insurance covers you for this. You can obtain this insurance through ICB or any other insurance company.
- To keep certified as a BAS agent you must agree to continue professional education (CPE). The minimal amount of hours required is 15 hours of studying per year, but its recommend to go over those hours.
- Be over the age of 18 years old.
- Be declared fit and proper.
- The last thing required is to follow the code of professional conduct set by the industry; this code explains how to present yourself to your clients and fellow industry members.
- You have to complete an online application on the website for the Australian Goverments – Tax Practioner Board (TPB) and provide supporting documents. For this, you can visit the website for the Australian Government Tax Practitioner Board.
- After you have completed all this you then pay the TPB a fee for your BAS number.
If you enjoyed learning MYOB through EzyLearn, or are thinking of doing so, and want to progress your career still further or become a virtual assistant and start a business working from home as a bookkeeper, these are the relatively simple steps to becoming a Certified BAS Agent. Best of luck!
