Most software vendors offer free of charge training to ensure the smooth running and use of their products.

Although not classed as qualifications, these certificates can help to advance early stage careers.

Xero Training

Xero offer two course topics. Xero Advisor and Xero Payroll. Both are delivered via three possible channels, these are: self-paced learning and assessment, a series of webinars with an assessment or a face to face one day classroom with two assessments on the day.

Typically the Xero Advisor training is targeted at Accountancy practices to assist smaller businesses with their set up and adoption of Xero.

The Xero payroll course supports the setting up of Xero payroll to pay employees, manage absence and timesheets.

SAGE Training

Sage have produced a series of training modules aligned to their products and the elements to be considered when setting up and running their software. The courses are well laid out and logical with a number of bite sized courses for each function.

To get certified, there are four exams covering the following topics:

Exam 1: Getting Started with Sage 50 Accounts

This course is ideal if you are new to the software, this stage covers the basic principles of the Sage 50 Accounts software, from navigation through to creating and amending records to opening balances and controlling user access.

Exam 2: Entering day-to-day transactions

This course is ideal if you want to cover the core operations of the software. Key topics include processing supplier invoices, credit notes and payments, managing the sales ledger, posting bank payments and receipts, and error corrections as well as protecting your data.

Exam 3: Period end tasks, returns and recon

This course is perfect if you've got to grips with the basics and want to extend your knowledge. The course takes an in-depth look at the processes for month end, year end, credit control and VAT Returns. It also covers depreciation, prepayments and accruals, bank reconciliation and key performance indicators.

Exam 4: Product invoices, orders and stock control

This course is perfect if you want to use the stock control system within Sage Accounts. The course covers managing your stock sytem from setting up to performing stock takes. It also covers sales and purchase orders, quotes and pro-forma invoices as well as Foreign Trading and Intrastat reporting.

Quikbooks Training

Quickbooks training is broken into two levels, core training and advanced. Once you complete the core training exam you become a qualified Quikbooks Pro Advisor. The course covers the fundamental set up and use of the software’s core functionality.

Beyond core training there is a Quickbooks advanced training course which delves deeper into the functionality of the software, teaching you how to manage reporting, budgeting and complex banking and reconciliation tasks. Upon passing the exam you will become a certified Advanced Pro Advisor!