Bookkeeping Courses South Africa

Bookkeeping Courses South Africa

Looking for Bookkeeping Courses South Africa 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 use a series of bookkeeping courses. You can start at a scholastic level below Matric, and work you method up to two levels greater than matric (NQF 6 level).

To comprehend the ICB Accounting courses, you need to consider the following:

  • Why study Accounting?
  • Can I study ICB Bookkeeping courses if I do not have Matric?
  • The difference between Bookkeeping and Accounting Courses
  • The various levels of study with the ICB
  • The different courses that makes up the ICB Financial Accounting Programme
  • Foundation Level
  • Intermediate Level
  • Upper Intermediate Level
  • Advanced Level
  • What qualifications do you get?
  • Study even more after completing your programme
  • Topics that are the 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 accounting and accounting are scarce skills. That indicates that both market and government acknowledge that we have a shortage of bookkeepers and accountants. The federal government body for qualifications in the monetary sector, FASSET, has done a study on scarce skills in 2015. From that study they released their Scarce Skills Guide 2015.

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

  • Trainee Accountant
  • Finance Supervisor
  • General Accountant
  • Accounts Clerk
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Debt Collector

These are all positions for which an ICB accounting course will prepare you properly. Your bookkeeping certification will guarantee that you are always in need. It is a fantastic career that can take you to the highest level in an organisation.

The deficiency of bookkeeping skills also impacts federal government departments. All federal government departments have accounting and bookkeeping departments. And they work every year to obtain a “clean audit”. To get a tidy audit suggests that they need trained, qualified, committed and experienced accounting and accounting staff and managers.

As a certified bookkeeper or accountant, you will always remain in demand. Either in personal company, or in a government department, which can include both municipalities, in addition to bigger national federal government departments.

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

The bookkeeping courses start at NQF level 3. And they go up 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 below matric. And if you keep on studying, you will wind up with a certification 2 levels above matric.

The ICB courses are established to be available for students who must work and study at the very same time. With distance learning you can study an hour every evening. You now have five exam opportunities annually, so as soon as you are all set for an examination, you can go and compose that examination. In this method you can do your course action by action.

As you advance with the program, you will get acknowledgment at the various levels. After finishing the first four topics, you will currently get your first certification from FASSET, and your first ICB Programme Certificate.

The difference in 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 deals of a business or department. You ensure that income an all expenditure are properly recorded.

As soon as you have moved a few actions up on the ladder, you begin reporting on the bookkeeping details, and you begin analysing the information. At the level where your job becomes more complicated, since you are likewise reporting and evaluating business monetary information, we begin 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 program is divided into various levels. Inside each level can be several courses. The program is divided into 4 levels, as follows:

  1. Foundation Level
  2. Intermediate Level
  3. Upper Intermediate Level
  4. Advanced Level

As you complete each level, you will get acknowledgment from the ICB in the form of an ICB Programme Certificate. As you complete the different courses inside the levels, you will get recognition from FASSET in the form of your official certification from FASSET.

I shall discuss the various levels, and the courses inside each level, in information below.

Bookkeeping Courses South Africa

The different Courses that makes up the ICB Financial Accounting Programme

The ICB Accounting/ Financial Accounting Programme is broken into four levels. Inside each level is one complete qualification. As you progress up the ladder of certifications, you will see the names of the certifications change from Bookkeeping to Accounting.

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

  1. Foundation level – National Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF Level 3).
  2. Intermediate level – FET Certificate: Accounting (NQF level 4).
  3. Upper Intermediate level – National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting (NQF level 5).
  4. Advanced level – National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF level 6).

Bookkeeping Courses.

In the ICB, we describe the Foundation and Intermediate level courses, as Accounting courses. So that will be these 2 qualifications:

  1. National Certificate: Accounting (NQF Level 3).
  2. FET Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF Level 4).

Accounting Courses.

Accounting courses in the ICB are the higher level courses that we find at Upper Intermediate level and Advanced level. So that indicates these two courses:

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

Foundation Level.

The foundation level is the beginning point for a lot of students. If you did refrain from doing that well at school, or you stopped working matric, or you have not studied for many years, then the foundation level helps you bridge the space and get back into studying.

Academically the level is NQF 3. That is the level listed below matric, so we understand that trainees with Grade 10 (Standard 8) will have the ability to handle the scholastic level of the work.

You do not need any previous accounting or accounting knowledge if you begin at this level. And you need to be at least 16 years of age to be accepted onto the programme.

To finish this level you should pass four subjects. The suggested time to complete this level is 12 months. Distance learning trainees can take up to 18 months.

Intermediate Level.

The intermediate level are for students who have successfully completed the foundation level. It is your second action on the ladder to ending up being a Financial Accountant.

To enter this level, you must 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 two topics. Numerous students total this level in 6 months. Distance learning trainees can take up to 9 months to finish this level.

Upper Intermediate Level.

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

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

To finish this level you must pass 2 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 leading level of ICB studies. Here you will gain your National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF Level 6). To enter this level you must have passed all the previous levels. So that indicates you must be in possession of your National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting.

To pass this level you should effectively complete four subjects. Trainees normally take around 12 months to finish this level. Distance learning trainees can take a bit longer, naturally.

What qualifications do you get?

At the various levels you get different qualifications. You get your qualifications from FASSET. And you likewise get certificates from the ICB for every level that you progress.

The qualifications are called as follows:

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

Study further after completing the ICB Financial Accounting Program

The ICB provides 5 various fields of study. Thus far we have gone over simply one of these disciplines, being: Financial Accounting, or Bookkeeping.

The other fields of study are:

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

The different programs have lots of topics in common. So once you have actually finished one program, you may find that you can achieve another qualification by just doing the subjects that does not overlap.

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

Study further after finishing your programme – Other Courses

The ICB has acknowledgment agreements in place with a number of other professional bodies. So, depending upon what credentials you have finished with the ICB, you can get credits towards qualifications with these bodies.

Here are a list of some of the bodies that will acknowledge your ICB qualifications as counting towards a few of their programs, as well as towards 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 entrance criteria and guidelines.

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

Your college or academy supplies you with the study products, marking, tutoring and all the aid you need to prepare you for the test. Your college helps you finish your Portfolio of Evidence. And will continue pressing you, so that you complete the course successfully and in an affordable quantity of time. We keep you working, studying and motivated!

Then you write the examination (and hand in your Portfolio of Proof) with the ICB. The ICB manages the quality of the programme. They recognize the course providers, to make sure that trainees get good training and has a real chance of passing the examinations.

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

Depending on your college, you might do your course through distance learning, home study, part-time study, or online study. These are all various versions of studying in your home, with the help of a college and a tutor that guides you through your program.

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

Distance Learning.

Studying ICB courses by means of distance learning is for individuals who can not participate in classes. So if you stay far away from a campus where they provide ICB courses, then you should think about distance learning.

Distance learning ways that your course provider sends you books and study notes. And then assists you study over the phone, or e-mail or some online system.

Home Study.

Home study is for trainees who can not go to classes. Much of our students need to work to earn an income 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 is friendly and will direct you through the work step by step. When you utilize the study materials, you will “hear the voice of the speaker”. The lecturer has actually been composed into the course materials.

When you require 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 hall. This is where you can learn the most … seeing the questions of other students, and how the tutors answer those concerns.

If you have to talk with your tutor one-on-one, you can also do that. The online study hall also enable you to have private conversations.

Another manner in which these courses consider the needs of a home study students, is that there are five exam sessions in 2017. So if you can not make an examination session, you understand that another opportunity to write that examination will happen in 3 months or less. You can likewise use the several examination sessions every year, to progress through your course faster than the other trainees. As soon as you are ready to write a test, you will be close to the next exam session.

Part Time Study.

Part time study is for trainees who can go to some classes, but few. So you may go to a class at night or on a Saturday. And after that study from home the remainder of the time.

Online Study.

Online study suggests that a great deal of your interactions happen on the internet. With our online study groups, we have actually produced a chat-group environment where you can learn from your tutors and from other students.

ICB Courses at Unisa.

Trainees frequently ask if they can study ICB Accounting at Unisa. This is especially students who want to go on and study a degree in the future.

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

Each university has its own guidelines. So if you prepare to study further at a university, make absolutely sure you understand how they will acknowledge your prior studies. A lot of universities will not give you academic credits for other studies. They normally simply wish to see your matric certificate. Yes, I understand this does not make good sense!

ICB Course Fees.

Your ICB Bookkeeping course will require a variety of expenses. So ensure you comprehend all the different things you will have to pay; before you register for the course. Some of these things are:

  • College fees with your accredited training provider. Likewise known as course fees.
  • Book expenses. Keep in mind to inspect what books you will need to buy for your course; and if your college include these books with your study fees.
  • Test charges. Likewise, when you sign up for the exam you will need to pay your student registration cost to the ICB.
  • ICBA Trainee Membership fees, if choose to join the ICBA. We suggest that you join them as soon as you can.

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA).

The ICBA is a professional body that provides subscription to students studying ICB courses. At first you can only end up being a Student Member. However as soon as you have actually completed your very first certification, 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 clients that you are serious about your profession, which you are recognised as a professional by the ICBA.

The different qualifications result in different designations. So make sure to discover more about the ICBA early on in your studies. This is a terrific method to enhance your CV and your professional status.

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Last Updated: March 29th, 2017.

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