What do you need to become a bookkeeper in South Africa?

When you want to become a bookkeeper in South Africa

When you want to study bookkeeping you have the option of studying with a college or go the self-study or independent route with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. The ICB does not advise this because they don't offer any intuition. They deal with examination bookings only.

I chose the self-study route because some of the fees at the colleges that offer financial accounting were shocking and exorbitant. I couldn't afford to study bookkeeping at a college but I also couldn't afford to put my goals on hold until I had more money.

The process of registering with the ICB is simple and straightforward. You go to their website at www.icb.org.za to create an account on the student portal. Once you've made the booking and the payment is reflected on their side you get immediate access to the macci portal where you will find your assignments and your tests. From there on you're on your own and the rest depends on you to pass your examination. 

I joined the ICB group on Facebook and bought my textbooks from other students. If you want to buy your books new you can get them through Edge Media.

The ICB offers Financial Accounting, Business Management and Office Administration. You need 60% to pass a subject. One of the big advantages is that the courses overlap which means that you if you have done certain courses in Financial Accounting you can switch to Business Management, and just add a few more courses to get a different qualification. Each program consists of twelve subjects and you can decide in which order you want to complete it. You will only get your certificate or diploma once all courses for a particular certificate or diploma has been completed

To become a bookkeeper or an accountant these are the subjects they offer for the Financial Accounting Program:

National Certificate: Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping to Trial

Payroll and Monthly SARS

Computerised Bookkeeping

Business Literacy

Senior Bookkeeper :Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping

Financial Statements

Cost and Management Accounting

Accounting Technician: National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting

Income Tax Returns

Business Law and Accounting Control

Financial Accountant: National Diploma: Financial Accounting

Corporate Strategy

Management Accounting Control Systems

Financial Reporting and Regulatory Framework

Research Theory and Practice

For 2022 the fees will be R400 for registration and R730 per subject. 

The communication of the ICB is excellent and they do keep you informed about all the latest developments. But when you have an urgent query it does become extremely difficult to get hold of them. And there can be an undertone of arrogance when you have an issue that needs to be resolved

But if you consider the value you get from their courses, it's a worthy investment to make. 

I can honestly say that studying directly with the ICB has been life-changing for me, and having that qualification did bring opportunities. Their courses are also structured in such a way that you can apply what you've learned immediately, and you will have an understanding of the core skills of bookkeeping. It's not easy to study independently but it's possible.