Study Junior Bookkeeping Course through Distance Learning

Studying junior bookkeeping is a great way to begin your career in the finance industry. Junior bookkeeping is a starting level in accounting and is an excellent opening for your career. Studying this qualification through distance learning will enable you to further your studies at the same time as working to earn an income.

What Is A Junior Bookkeeper?

A junior bookkeeper works in the accounting department of a company. A junior bookkeeper will usually be tasked with everyday accounting duties, such as managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end analyses.

How Do I Start Learning Bookkeeping?

There are many ways to start studying for a junior bookkeeping qualification. An excellent way to do this is with the ICB National Certificate in Junior Bookkeeping. This is an NQF level 3 certificate, which means you only need your Grade 10 certificate/report to apply. 

This is a qualification offered through distance learning at many reputable colleges, such as: 

There are also ICB qualifications in Business Management and Office Administration available from these colleges.

About ICB National Certificate In Junior Bookkeeping 

This course is an NQF level 3 course, which is a Grade 11 equivalent. This means that all you need to apply is your Grade 10 certificate/report. The subjects you will study in this course are as follows: 

  • Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
  • Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns
  • Computerised Bookkeeping
  • Business Literacy
QualificationNational Certificate
NQF Level3
Accredited ByICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number58375
Credits120

Some job opportunities you may have with this qualification include: 

  • Junior Bookkeeper
  • Accounts Clerk
  • Reconciliation Clerk
  • Payroll Clerk

Junior Bookkeeper 

The duties of a Junior Bookkeeper can include but are not limited to: 

  • Managing accounts payable 
  • Managing accounts receivable 
  • Collecting and recording financial data
  • Analysing month-end financial data 

Payscale: R61 000 – R200 000 per year

 

Accounts Clerk 

The duties of an Accounts Clerk can include but are not limited to:

  • Recording financial transactions 
  • Maintaining financial records 
  • Preparing financial statements
  • Assisting accountants with administrative duties

Payscale: R60 000 – R220 000 per year

 

Reconciliation Clerk 

The duties of a Reconciliation Clerk can include but are not limited to: 

  • Verifying accounts 
  • Recording transactions 
  • Reconciling discrepancies in financial records 
  • Verifying signatures and information on financial statements

Payscale: R95 000 – R244 000 per year

 

Payroll Clerk 

The duties of a Payroll Clerk can include but are not limited to:

  • Verifying employee timesheets 
  • Issuing deductions 
  • Updating payroll records 
  • Processing employee pay cheques 

Payscale: R66 000 – R242 000 per year

 

Does UNISA Offer A Bookkeeping Course?  

No, UNISA no longer offers the ICB Bookkeeping course. You can find out what courses they offer by looking at their Finance courses page.

Why Choose Distance Learning?

Distance learning is an excellent option if you want your studies to be flexible. Studying through distance learning means that you can study from the safety and comfort of your own home. This means that your study times during the day are up to you. 

 

Studying from home also means that you can work to earn an income while you are studying. This will allow you to begin paying part of your tuition so that by the time you have completed your course, you will have less to pay off than if you did not work while studying.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Junior Bookkeeper?

The ICB National Certificate in Junior Bookkeeping takes a minimum of one year to complete. Once you have completed it, you can either begin your career in Finance immediately, or you can use this qualification to gain entry into the ICB FET Certificate in Senior Bookkeeping. 

The FET Certificate in Senior Bookkeeping is also a Matric Equivalent qualification. This means that you can use it to apply to most NATED courses, except for the Educare and Legal Secretary courses, which require you to have a Matric Certificate.

Can I Be A Bookkeeper Without A Degree?

Yes, you can be a bookkeeper without a degree. The ICB National Certificate in Junior Bookkeeping prepares you to be workplace-ready as soon as you complete your course. This means that you can begin working as a Junior Bookkeeper as soon as you have successfully completed the certificate.

Are Bookkeepers In Demand?

Yes, bookkeeping is one of the most in-demand skills in South Africa at the moment. This means that bookkeeping has many job opportunities available, and it can be a stable career path.

What Does A Junior Bookkeeper Earn?

The pay scale for a Junior Bookkeeper in South Africa is R61 000 – R200 000 per year.

Do Bookkeepers Do Payroll?

No, usually a junior bookkeeper will not be put in charge of handling the payroll. A junior bookkeeper will manage things such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and analyse accounts at month-end. However, a junior bookkeeper may assist a senior bookkeeper or accountant with the payroll.

Can Bookkeeping Be Self-Taught?

Online learning can be classified as self-teaching, so yes, bookkeeping can be self-taught. However, it must be done with a reputable course, otherwise, it will not be recognised as a formal qualification.

What If I Still Want To Get My Matric?

There are options if you want to get your Matric. You can study Online Matric through distance learning, and depending on why you do not have your Matric, there are different things you can do: 

 

Matric Rewrite 

Matric Rewrite is the option available to anyone under the age of 21 who would like to raise their Matric marks. You may rewrite a maximum of two subjects. These must be subjects you wrote for your Matric final exam, you cannot change subjects. There is no limit to the number of times you can rewrite Matric as long as you are still under the age of 21. 

 

To apply for Matric Rewrite, you will need: 

 

  • A copy of your Statement of Results 
  • A certified copy of your ID

Matric Upgrade 

Matric Upgrade is the option available to anyone who wants to raise their Matric marks and is over the age of 21. You may upgrade as many subjects as you would like. You may also choose to change any or all of your subjects. 

 

There is no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric. You must be over the age of 21 because you will write the Adult Matric exams. 

 

To apply for Matric Upgrade, you will need: 

 

  • A copy of your Statement of Results 
  • A certified copy of your ID

Adult Matric 

Adult Matric is aimed at those who were unable to complete their high school education for any reason. Once you have completed your Adult Matric, you will receive your Senior Certificate (Amended). This works exactly the same way as a Matric Certificate. 

 

To apply for Adult Matric, you will need: 

 

  • A copy of your Grade 9 certificate/report or equivalent 
  • A certified copy of your ID

What Have We Learned?

Junior bookkeepers are responsible for everyday accounting duties. You can study junior bookkeeping through distance learning. You only need Grade 10  to apply to study for the ICB National Certificate in Junior Bookkeeping. 

 

There are many job opportunities with just a junior bookkeeping qualification. You can choose to continue your studies from junior bookkeeping to senior bookkeeping. UNISA does not offer ICB bookkeeping courses. 

 

Distance learning has many advantages. It takes at least one year to become a junior bookkeeper. Bookkeepers are currently in high demand in South Africa. Bookkeepers will not be put in charge of the payroll. Bookkeeping can be self-taught with a reputable course. 

 

There are also many options available if you would like to get your Matric.

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 16, 2022