ICB courses are courses in financial accounting, business management, and office administration. These courses are fully accredited and recognised locally and internationally.
ICB courses are offered through distance learning, which is an excellent option for those who would like to study while working, or just to study from the comfort and safety of their own home.
These are the ICB Programmes you can study:
- Business Management
- Financial Accounting
- Office Administration
The Business Management and Financial Accounting Programmes both have an NQF level 4 certificate course. This is a Matric Equivalent Qualification. You can apply for NATED courses using a Matric equivalent (excluding Educare and Legal Secretary) but you cannot apply to university with a Matric Equivalent Qualification.
ICB Business Management Programme
Business management is the organising and management of a business’s resources, contracts and employees. Business management is about making sure the company is always performing at its best.
To have a business that is running smoothly and well requires a Business Manager to oversee the ongoings of the company in an everyday capacity. Making sure the finer details are taken care of makes it easier to keep the big things going well.
To be a Business Manager, you need to have excellent communication skills, mediating skills, and the drive to help others do their best to keep the company at its best.
ICB National Certificate In Small Business Management
The ICB National Certificate course is the first step to beginning your career as a Business Manager. This is an NQF level 4 certificate or a Matric Equivalent Certificate. You need only your Grade 11 to apply for this course.
The ICB National Certificate In Small Business Management teaches subjects such as Business Literacy so that you can learn about business-related terms, and how they may mean something different in the business world to what they mean in everyday life.
It also has a bookkeeping module, so that you will know the basics of bookkeeping, and how to handle the company ledgers.
ICB Higher Certificate In Business Management Office Administration
The ICB Higher Certificate In Business Management Office Administration will introduce new subjects such as office and legal practice. This will teach you how to apply legal practices to your business. You will also start learning about human resource management and marketing management.
Human resource management is all about making sure the company’s employees are treated fairly and have a healthy and safe environment to work in. Marketing management is about ensuring your business has good marketing strategies and delivers the product to its target audience.
ICB National Diploma In Business Management Financial Accounting
The final step in the ICB Business qualification in business management is the Diploma.
In this course, you will learn about taxes, financial management, as well as financial regulatory frameworks. These subjects teach you about investment property, information systems, and accounting research. These last subjects will give you the final skills you will need to be a Business Manager.
ICB Office Administration Programme
Office administration is about overseeing the daily activities within a company. This deals with record-keeping, staff development, financial planning and other logistics. This course begins at NQF level 5 and requires you to have Matric or Matric Equivalent to apply.
ICB National Certificate In Office Administration
As your first step to being an Office Administrator, the ICB National Certificate In Office Administration teaches subjects such as Business Literacy, bookkeeping, public relations and business law.
Business Literacy is a common subject or module for most business-related courses, as this teaches you how to appropriately communicate in the business environment. It will also teach you about what terms may mean different things in business than they do in everyday situations.
Bookkeeping is included in the office administration course so that you will know what you are looking at in the company ledgers in order to be certain everything is running as it should.
Public relations is about learning how to effectively communicate with the company’s audience. Business law is to ensure you know how to be certain that the company’s activity is all legal and ethical.
ICB Higher Certificate In Office Administration
In the ICB Higher Certificate In Office Administration, there are subjects such as economics, cost and management accounting, as well as labour relations.
Economics is a way for you to learn about the operating of finances in business practice. Cost and management accounting is building on the bookkeeping course, to broaden your knowledge in the financial sector of the business.
The labour relations subject is similar to human resource management, in that it is about learning what is legal and ethical for the employees of the company. This is to help easily settle any labour disputes that may arise.
ICB National Diploma In Office Administration
In the theory section of the ICB National Diploma In Office Administration, you will learn about financial statements and general management.
Financial statements will be something an Office Administrator may have to organise and record. This is to ensure the company’s finances are always in order.
General management skills are needed as an office administrator, because an office administrator may be put in charge of other management staff to ensure all management teams are running smoothly.
ICB Financial Accounting Programme
Financial accounting is a specific area of accounting. Financial accountants are in charge of things such as recording, summarising, and reporting all company transactions among other things.
ICB National Certificate In Junior Bookkeeping
This course begins at NQF level 3, meaning you do not need Matric to apply, you can apply with just your Grade 10 Certificate/report.
Studying the ICB National Certificate In Junior Bookkeeping with equip you with the basic skills you need to begin your career as an Accountant with subjects like payroll and taxes, and computerised bookkeeping.
An Accountant is often in charge of recording and distributing the payroll, as well as doing the company’s taxes for each fiscal year, which is what these subjects will teach you how to do.
Computerised bookkeeping is about learning how to do bookkeeping digitally. As technology advances, more and more systems are moving away from the physical and to the digital for many systems.
ICB FET Certificate In Senior Bookkeeping
The ICB FET Certificate In Senior Bookkeeping will build on your knowledge by teaching you things such as business literacy, financial statements, as well as cost and management accounting.
Business literacy is about learning how to effectively communicate in writing with other company employees.
Financial statements are a part of any financial transaction, and a Financial Accountant will be in charge of recording and filing the company’s transactional statements.
Cost and management accounting is for the managerial side of the finances. This subject will teach you things such as different types of financial analysing, and budgeting.
ICB National Diploma In Technical Financial Accounting
The ICB National Diploma In Technical Financial Accounting has income tax returns as well as business law and accounting control.
Learning about tax returns will allow you to be able to handle the company accounts for the entire fiscal year, and will also teach you about auditing.
Business law and accounting control is for you to learn how to be sure the company is always working within the law. This helps to avoid unnecessary legal disputes.
ICB National Diploma In Financial Accounting
The theory of the ICB National Diploma In Financial Accounting includes subjects such as business law, accounting control, and income tax returns.
Every company must file their taxes at the end of each fiscal year, and the Financial Accountant of the company will be in charge of doing this.
Studying the subject of business law is very important for ensuring that everything the company does is legal and ethical. This helps to avoid any disputes. Accounting control is about learning to manage different accounting systems so that you are able to use many systems.
Things To Remember
One thing to note is that on the ICB website, the Higher Certificates for Business Management and Office Admin have the same SAQA ID number. However, they are different to each other and have different subjects for each course.
Are ICB Qualifications Recognised Internationally?
Yes, ICB Courses are recognised internationally. ICB began in the UK in 1931, and their qualifications are now recognised around the world.
ICB Accreditation
The ICB courses are accredited by many separate qualifications bodies in South Africa. These are:
- ICB
- QCTO
- FASSET
- SAQA
ICB
The ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) is an independent qualifications and examinations body. This means that any courses offered by the ICB have been accredited by the ICB, and these courses are recognised by all countries that recognise the organisation.
QCTO
QCTO is the Quality Control for Trades and Occupations, and ICB courses have been accredited by QCTO. They are an assessment centre that grants the courses permission to be used as a formal qualification. This means that employers can view these as proper qualifications.
FASSET
The Finance and Accounting Service Sector Education and Training Authority (known both as FASSET and SETA) is the qualifications body that allows these courses to be viewed as formal accounting qualifications. This enables those who complete these courses successfully to be employed as Accountants.
SAQA
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the educational standardising body that uses and implements the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels. There are 10 different NQF levels, beginning at Grade 9 and ending at a Doctoral Degree, the highest level qualification.
These levels are used to determine the educational level of any qualification so that employers and institutions can easily recognise a person’s education.
Is ICB SETA Accredited?
Yes, ICB courses are accredited by both SETA and QCTO. This means that qualifications from the ICB are recognised and well-regarded by employers in South Africa.
Does UNISA Offer ICB Courses?
No, UNISA does not offer ICB courses. Check their website for what courses they offer in Financial Management.
Does UNISA Recognise ICB Qualifications?
No, UNISA does not recognise ICB qualifications. However, if you have an ICB qualification, you can apply at UNISA for RPL (recognition of prior learning). This will allow you to gain credits toward an Accounting Degree or similar qualification, so you will not have to take all of the modules.
Is An ICB Course A Degree?
No, ICB qualifications are not a Bachelor’s Degree. Two ICB courses have three NQF levels, and one has four. The financial accounting course, which has four levels, begins at NQF level 3. All go up to NQF level 6, which is a Diploma, just one level below a Degree.
How Do I Become A Member Of ICB?
When you apply to study an ICB course, you will be able to apply to become a member once you have passed your NQF level 5 course in financial accounting. You can apply to become a member through their website.
What Is ICB?
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is the most highly regarded professional body for bookkeeping, accounting, office administration, and business qualification in South Africa.
The ICB is an internationally recognised qualifications body, and getting an ICB qualification means you can apply to work in places all over the world. They have a stellar reputation for providing these qualifications, and they have been growing since they started in 1931.
Why Choose An ICB Course?
ICB courses are aimed at those who want to pursue a career in accounting, bookkeeping, office administration, or business management.
ICB courses are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge in as short a time as possible to minimise the time between beginning your studies and opening up more opportunities for yourself.
As soon as you begin your studies, you can become a member of the ICB, meaning you will join a welcoming and engaging community that offers professional support, as well as technical, legal, and tax advice.
Where Can I Study An ICB Course?
There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer accredited ICB courses, such as:
Why Choose Distance Learning?
Distance learning has many advantages, such as being able to study from the safety and comfort of your own home. Distance learning also allows you to keep your study hours flexible so that you can work to earn an income while you are studying.
Is Online Learning Difficult?
Like any form of studying, distance learning does have disadvantages. Studying at home can lead to a lack of self-discipline. Studying on your own can lead to a lack of motivation.
One way you can combat this is by joining an online study group. Together We Pass offers an online platform where you can form study groups with your fellow classmates. Study groups have been shown to improve class engagement, understanding of the coursework, as well as overall marks.
What Can I Do After ICB?
You can choose to begin working once you have completed your ICB National Diploma. If you did an ICB National Diploma in Financial Accounting, you can also choose to continue your studies with CIMA through Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.
CIMA courses offer you the chance to further your studies to a degree level, which will better your chances of employment, as well as improve your employment prospects. The CIMA courses that are offered at Bellview Institute of Distance Learning are:
- Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level (Cert BA) – NQF level 5
- Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level (Dip MA) – NQF level 6
- Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level (Adv Dip MA) – NQF level 6
- Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level (CGMA) – NQF level 7
You can study these courses after completing an ICB bookkeeping qualification.
What Other Options Are There?
If you want to study a different course, you can study NATED courses with just a Matric Equivalent (except Educare and Legal Secretary, which require a Matric).
NATED courses are accredited by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority), which means they are recognised by potential employers as a formal qualification.
There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer NATED courses, including:
The NATED courses that are available are as follows:
- Educare
- Financial Management
- Human Resource Management
- Legal Secretary
- Management Assistant
- Marketing Management
Among these courses, Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offers courses in both office administration as well as business administration.
What If I Want To Complete My Matric?
There are options available for anyone who would like to complete or improve their Matric marks. You can study Online Matric through distance learning, and get your National Senior Certificate, or your Senior Certificate (Amended). The available options are:
- Matric Rewrite
- Matric Upgrade
- Adult Matric
Matric Rewrite
Matric rewrite is the option that is available for anyone under the age of 21 who would like to improve their Matric marks. You may rewrite two subjects, and you cannot change any subjects, you must rewrite subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams.
To apply for a Matric Rewrite, you will need the following:
- A copy of your Statement of Results
- A certified copy of your ID
Matric Upgrade
Matric Upgrade is available to anyone who is over the age of 21 and would like to improve their Matric marks. You must be over the age of 21 because you will write the Adult Matric exams.
You may upgrade as many subjects as you would like to. You may also choose to change any or all of your optional subjects.
To apply for a Matric Upgrade, you will need the following:
- A copy of your Statement of Results
- A certified copy of your ID
Adult Matric
Adult Matric is available to anyone over the age of 21 who did not have the opportunity to complete high school. To apply for Adult Matric, you will need the following:
- A copy of your Grade 9 Certificate/report or equivalent
- A certified copy of your ID
Where Can I Get My Matric?
You can study Matric through distance learning at many different distance learning colleges, such as:
Once you have got your Matric, you could choose to study one of the NATED courses, such as office administration, financial accounting, or business management.
What Have We Learned?
All ICB courses go up to the Diploma level. ICB courses are accredited by the ICB itself as well as QCTO, FASSET/SETA and SAQA. There are many distance learning colleges that offer ICB courses.
Once you have completed your first year of studying, you can apply to become a member of the ICB. distance learning has both its advantages and disadvantages. Joining an online study group can help combat the disadvantages.
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 16, 2022
Im a 37 years women i never went to school or completed my Schooling due to saccumstensis I’ll like to go school so I can be able to help my self In the future and so i can be able to be a teacher I really like teaching any one whom can assist please.To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I thanks you🙏
Hi Joyce, in order to become a teacher, you would have to do the following:
• Complete your ABET Level 4. This is the equivalent of a Grade 9 certificate
• Follow that up with completing your Adult Matric (the Amended National Senior Certificate), which is available to people aged 21 and older
• Once completed (and have the appropriate marks available), you could possibly apply for a BEd qualification at Unisa, which is the 3rd step on your way to becoming a teacher.