Bookkeeping Courses South Africa

Looking for bookkeeping courses you can study? Here is the total list of Institute of Certified Bookkeepers courses that you can study from throughout South Africa.

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers provide a variety of accounting courses. You can start at a scholastic level below Matric, and work you way up to 2 levels greater than matric (NQF 6 level).

To understand the ICB Bookkeeping courses, you have to consider the following:

  • Why study Accounting?
  • Can I study ICB Accounting courses if I do not have Matric?
  • The distinction between Accounting and Accounting Courses
  • The different levels of study with the ICB
  • The various courses that comprises the ICB Financial Accounting Programme
  • Foundation Level
  • Intermediate Level
  • Upper Intermediate Level
  • Advanced Level
  • What qualifications do you get?
  • Study even more after finishing your program
  • Subjects that are the very same throughout more than one ICB course
  • The function of your college and the role of the ICB – who does what?
  • How does Home Study or Distance Learning work for these courses?

Why Study Accounting?

In South Africa bookkeeping and accounting are scarce skills. That indicates that both industry and government identify that we have a scarcity of bookkeepers and accounting professionals. The federal government body for certifications in the financial sector, FASSET, has actually done a study on scarce skills in 2015. From that study they published their Scarce Skills Guide 2015.

FASSET is the SETA for Financing, Accounting, Management Consulting and other Financial Services. In their scarce skills assist they recognized the following as scarce skills:

  • Trainee Accounting professional
  • Financing Manager
  • General Accountant
  • Accounts Clerk
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Financial obligation Collector

These are all positions for which an ICB bookkeeping course will prepare you correctly. Your bookkeeping credentials will ensure that you are constantly in demand. It is a great profession that can take you to the greatest level in an organisation.

The shortage of accounting skills likewise impacts federal government departments. All government departments have accounting and bookkeeping departments. And they work every year to get a “clean audit”. To obtain a clean audit implies that they need trained, certified, dedicated and experienced accounting and accounting staff and managers.

As a qualified accountant or accounting professional, you will always remain in demand. Either in private organisation, or in a government department, which can include both towns, along with bigger national government departments.

Can I study ICB Accounting courses if I do not have Matric?

The bookkeeping courses start at NQF level 3. And they increase to NQF level 6. Matric is at NQF level 4. So these courses are available for student who do not have matric. You start at an academic level listed below matric. And if you keep studying, you will end up with a credentials 2 levels above matric.

The ICB courses are developed to be accessible for students who need to work and study at the very same time. With distance learning you can study an hour every evening. You now have 5 exam chances each year, so as soon as you are all set for an exam, you can go and write that examination. In this way you can do your course step by step.

As you advance with the program, you will get recognition at the various levels. After completing the very first 4 topics, you will already get your very first credentials from FASSET, and your first ICB Programme Certificate.

The distinction between Bookkeeping and Accounting Courses

Accounting and Accounting are two sides of the very same thing. At the entry level, it is called accounting. In bookkeeping you are busy with the accurate recording of all the transactions of a company or department. You ensure that all earnings an all expense are appropriately taped.

As soon as you have moved a few actions up on the ladder, you begin reporting on the accounting info, and you start evaluating the information. At the level where your job ends up being more complex, due to the fact that you are also reporting and analysing business financial details, we start calling it Accounting.

So an Accountant is a senior Bookkeeper. And an Accountant is a junior Accounting professional!

The different Levels of study with the ICB

The ICB bookkeeping programme is divided into various levels. Inside each level can be one or more courses. The program is divided into four levels, as follows:

  • Foundation Level
  • Intermediate Level
  • Upper Intermediate Level
  • Advanced Level

As you complete each level, you will get acknowledgment from the ICB through an ICB Program Certificate. As you finish the different courses inside the levels, you will get recognition from FASSET in the form of your formal qualification from FASSET.

I shall explain the various levels, and the courses inside each level, in detail below.

The different Courses that comprises the ICB Financial Accounting Program

The ICB Accounting/ Financial Accounting Programme is broken into 4 levels. Inside each level is one complete credentials. As you advance up the ladder of qualifications, you will see the names of the certifications alter from Bookkeeping to Accounting.

The ICB Financial Accounting Program consist out of 4 different levels, each with a FASSET credentials inside it; as follows:

Bookkeeping Courses.

In the ICB, we refer to the Foundation and Intermediate level courses, as Bookkeeping courses. So that will be these two certifications:

  • National Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF Level 3).
  • FET Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF Level 4).

Accounting Courses.

Accounting courses in the ICB are the greater level courses that we find at Upper Intermediate level and Advanced level. So that suggests these 2 courses:

  • National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting (NQF Level 5).
  • National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF Level 6).

Foundation Level.

The foundation level is the starting point for a lot of trainees. If you did not do that well at school, or you stopped working matric, or you have not studied for many years, then the foundation level assists you bridge the gap and return into studying.

Academically the level is NQF 3. That is the level listed below matric, so we understand that students with Grade 10 (Standard 8) will be able to handle the academic level of the work.

You do not require any previous accounting or bookkeeping understanding if you start at this level. And you have to be at least 16 years of age to be accepted onto the program.

To complete this level you must pass 4 topics. The recommended time to complete this level is 12 months. Distance learning trainees can use up to 18 months.

Intermediate Level.

The intermediate level are for students who have successfully finished the foundation level. It is your 2nd action on the ladder to becoming a Monetary Accounting professional.

To enter this level, you need to have passed the foundation level. That means you need to currently have your National Certificate: Bookkeeping to enter this level.

To complete this level you should pass 2 subjects. Numerous students complete this level in six months. Distance learning trainees can take up to nine months to complete this level.

Upper Intermediate Level.

AT this level you move from Bookkeeping to Accounting. If your dream is to become an Accountant, then this level will get you there!

To enter this level you need to have passed the Intermediate level. That means you should have your FET Certificate: Bookkeeping to acquire entry to the Upper Intermediate Level.

To complete this level you must pass two subjects. The suggested time of study is 6 months. Distance learning students can take up to 9 months to finish this level.

Advanced Level.

This is the top level of ICB research studies. Here you will get your National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF Level 6). To enter this level you must have passed all the previous levels. So that implies you must be in ownership of your National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting.

To pass this level you must successfully complete 4 topics. Students usually take around 12 months to complete this level. Distance learning trainees can take a bit longer, obviously.

What certifications do you get?

At the different levels you get different certifications. You get your certifications from FASSET. And you also get certificates from the ICB for every level that you advance.

The certifications are called as follows:

  • Foundation Level Credentials.
  • National Certificate: Accounting (NQF Level 3).
  • Intermediate Level Qualification.
  • FET Certificate: Accounting (NQF level 4).
  • Upper Intermediate Level Certification.
  • National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting (NQF level 5).
  • Advanced Level Credentials.
  • National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF level 6).

Study further after finishing the ICB Financial Accounting Programme

The ICB provides five different disciplines. So far we have discussed just one of these fields of study, being: Financial Accounting, or Bookkeeping.

The other disciplines are:

  • Public Sector Accounting
  • Business Management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Office Administration

The various programmes have many subjects in common. So once you have actually finished one program, you might discover that you can achieve another credentials by just doing the topics that does not overlap.

For instance, three of the first 4 topics in each of these programmes are the same. So if you have actually passed the four subject for your Accounting program, you have also completed three of the four subjects you need for the Public Sector Accounting programme. So by adding that one subject, you receive another complete qualification.

Study further after completing your programme – Other Courses

The ICB has recognition contracts in place with a number of other professional bodies. So, depending upon exactly what qualification you have actually completed with the ICB, you can get credits to qualifications with these bodies.

Here are a list of some of the bodies that will acknowledge your ICB qualifications as counting to some of their programmes, as well as to membership of these professional bodies:

  • Institute of Accounting and Commerce (IAC).
  • South African Business Accountants (SAIBA).
  • South African Institute for Tax Professionals (SAIT).
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Note: You will need to apply to these professional bodies. And they each have their own set of entryway requirements and guidelines.

The role of your college and the function of the ICB – who does exactly what?

Your college or academy provides you with the study materials, marking, tutoring and all the help you need to prepare you for the test. Your college helps you complete your Portfolio of Evidence. And will continue pushing you, so that you finish the course effectively and in an affordable amount of time. We keep you working, studying and inspired!

Then you write the test (and hand in your Portfolio of Evidence) with the ICB. The ICB supervises the quality of the program. They certify the course providers, to ensure that trainees get excellent training and has a real possibility of passing the examinations.

How does Home Study or Distance Learning work for these courses?

Depending upon your college, you may do your course via distance learning, home study, part-time study, or online study. These are all various variations of studying in your home, with the help of a college and a tutor that guides you through your programme.

The best colleges will ensure you get the best study material, bit by bit, and sent out with a courier. So that your study product gets to you rapidly.

 Distance Learning.

Studying ICB courses by means of distance learning is for people who can not participate in classes. So if you stay far from a school where they use ICB courses, then you ought to consider distance learning.

Distance learning means that your course provider sends you books and study notes. And after that helps you study over the phone, or email or some online system.

Home Study.

Home study is for trainees who can not go to classes. Much of our trainees need to work to earn a wage in the daytime, so they just get to study after hours and on weekends.

The ICB courses were established so that you can study them from home. The study material gets along and will assist you through the work step by step. When you utilize the study materials, you will “hear the voice of the lecturer”. The lecturer has been written into the course products.

When you need a friendly voice to discuss your studies, you can call the college. Or you can engage with fellow trainees and your speakers in our online study groups. This is where you can discover the most … seeing the questions of other students, and how the tutors address those concerns.

If you need to talk with your tutor individually, you can also do that. The online study groups likewise allow you to have private conversations.

Another manner in which these courses take into account the requirements of a home study students, is that there are five exam sessions in 2017. So if you can not make an exam session, you know that another chance to write that examination will occur in three months or less. You can likewise utilize the several examination sessions every year, to progress through your course much faster than the other trainees. As soon as you are ready to write an examination, you will be close to the next test session.

Part Time Study.

Part time study is for trainees who can participate in some classes, but few. So you might go to a class at night or on a Saturday. Then study from home the remainder of the time.

Online Study.

Online study implies that a lot of your interactions take place on the internet. With our online study groups, we have produced a chat-group environment where you can gain from your tutors and from other trainees.

ICB Courses at Unisa.

Students often ask if they can study ICB Accounting at Unisa. This is specifically trainees who want to go on and study a degree later on.

Sadly Unisa does not use any of the ICB courses. If you prepare to study a degree at Unisa, ensure you talk to them if they will accept any of your ICB studies for academic credits or for entry onto their degree programs.

Each university has its own guidelines. So if you plan to study further at a university, make definitely sure you comprehend how they will recognise your previous studies. A lot of universities will not offer you scholastic credits for other studies. They usually simply wish to see your matric certificate. Yes, I know this does not make sense!

ICB Course Fees.

Your ICB Accounting course will require a number of costs. So ensure you understand all the various things you will have to pay; before you sign up for the course. Some of these things are:

  • College costs with your certified training provider. Also referred to as course charges.
  • Book expenses. Remember to inspect exactly what books you will have to buy for your course; and if your college consist of these books with your study fees.
  • Exam costs. Likewise, when you sign up for the test you will need to pay your trainee registration charge to the ICB.
  • ICBA Student Subscription costs, if choose to join the ICBA. We suggest that you join them as quickly as you can.

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA).

The ICBA is a professional body that offers subscription to trainees studying ICB courses. At first you can just become a Student Member. But as quickly as you have finished your very first credentials, you will be eligible for Professional Membership.

This suggests you get to use a professional designation behind your name on your business card. In this way you show your colleagues and your customers that you are serious about your occupation, which you are recognised as a professional by the ICBA.

The different qualifications cause different designations. So be sure to find out more about the ICBA early on in your studies. This is a terrific way to enhance your CV and your professional status.

Last Updated: March 17th, 2017.