Background
If you want to study Bookkeeping, Accounting, Public Sector Accounting, Office Administration, Business Management, Financial Accounting or Entrepreneurship – then the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is a good choice.
before you start ICB Registration with the ICB, you must first understand the different elements that make up a complete ICB registration, being:
- ICB Registration as an ICB Student with a Tuition Provider
- The ICB Student Detail Form
- ICB Registration for an Exam
- The Exam ICB Registration Entry Form
- Exam ICB Registration Dates
- ICBA Student Membership
- Exam ICB Registration
- The Importance of Registering Early
- Your Portfolio of Evidence
- Planning Your Study Calendar
- Pass Marks
- Exam Re-writes
- Postponing an Exam
- Re-mark of an Exam
- Summary of All the Costs
ICB Registration as an ICB Student with a Tuition Provider
The ICB recommends that students who want to study towards their qualifications, register with an accredited tuition provider.
Tuition providers are accredited by the ICB, and as proof of their accreditation, they can show you an accreditation certificate from the ICB. Before accrediting an education provider, the ICB will visit the education provider and check a wide range of things. They make sure that the education provider is properly equipped to offer their courses. They look at things like lecture rooms, academic staff qualifications, financial viability and study materials. The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers acts as an examination body and is not in control of course material. Instead, you can choose a college to study through, such as Matric College. If you’re wanting to further your education in the financial or business management sector, look no further! Matric College offers a range of ICB courses that will take you one step further to your goal career!
The ICB Student Details Form
Once you are registered with your training provider or college or academy, then you need to also register with the ICB. To do this you must download the ICB Student Details Form. You can fill in this form and send it to the ICB. As a home study student, you can also do ICB Registration yourself online via the ICB Student Portal.
At this point, you will have to pay the R330 yearly ICB Registration Fee. You will have to pay this fee every year that you study with the ICB.
When you submit the Student Details Form, make sure that you have:
- Make sure you are using the correct version of the Student Details ICB Registration Form – at the time of writing this article, it is the 2017 Student Details Form
- Filled it in carefully and correctly
- Added a copy of your ID Document
- Added proof of payment of the R330 yearly registration fee
Note: The 2017 Student Details Form ask you where you matriculated. However, the ICB programmes start at a lower level than matric. (You can start at NQF level3.) So you can enter the course without having passed matric. So if you do not have a matric, simply fill in your last school and highest school level you achieved.
Register for an Exam
Once you are registered as a student with the ICB, you can now register for your first exam. To do this you need to download the Exam Entry Form. you must fill in this form, and send it to the ICB, together with the 2017 Student Details Form.
At this point, you will have to pay your exam fee. The exam fee is R620 per subject.
As a distance learning student, you can also register for an exam online via the student portal.
When you submit the Exam Entry Form, use this checklist first:
- Make sure you are using the correct version of the Exam Entry Form – at the time of writing this article, it is the 2017 Exam Entry Form
- Have you selected an ICB Exam Venue that is close to you?
- Include proof of payment with your 2017 Exam Entry Form. The fee is R620 per subject.
- Have you double checked the exam dates? Do you need to apply for leave from your employer for these dates?
- When you submit this form, you MUST ALSO submit an 2017 Student Details Form
Important: When the ICB receives your 2017 Exam Entry Form, they process of sending you your Portfolio of Evidence (POE) is started. It can take 3 to 4 weeks for you to receive your POE. The ICB will courier your PoE to you. So it is important that you give them an address where you can receive the POE from the courier. Usually, a courier will phone you before delivering, so you need to make sure you give them a cell number that the courier can use. And you must make sure to answer your phone! If the courier calls you and you do not answer the phone, they will not deliver your parcel.
The Exam Entry Form
First, make sure you have the correct ICB Registration exam form. It should say 2017 Exam Entry Form at the top of the form. You can download it from the ICB, or from your course provider.
This is a very important document. You must take your time when you fill it in. Make sure you read and understand the whole form. And that you fill it in correctly and carefully. Ask someone you trust to check the form after you filled it in.
This form is never submitted on its own. Make sure you submit the additional documents asked for on the form, when you submit it.
The additional items are:
- 2017 Student Details Form
- Copy of ID Document
- Proof of Payment of ICB Student fees
- Proof of Payment of Exam fees
Exam ICB Registration (Closing) Dates
In 2017 the ICB offers five different exam sessions for home study students. These exams are in February, May, June, September and November 2017. Make sure that you have the correct exam dates for your subject.
You can find the Exam ICB Registration Closing Dates, as well as the Exam Dates, here: http://www.skillsacademy.co.za/icb-exam-dates-2017/
Important: Before you can write an exam, you must first REGISTER for that exam. And usually, you must register up to three months BEFORE the exam date. If you arrive at an exam centre without having properly registered for that exam, you will not be allowed to write at that time.
This means that the Exam ICB Registration Date is actually the LAST date on which you can register for that exam.
Pro Tip: Register as early as possible for your exams. This will give you the most time to make sure your POE gets to you in good time. And it gives you the maximum amount of time to prepare.
Exam ICB Registration for the February 2017 exams are now open (October 2016). So you need to register now.
ICBA Student Membership
As an ICB registered student, you are eligible to apply to the ICBA for Student Membership. The ICBA (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants) is a membership body for people wanting to achieve and show their credentials as members of a recognised profession.
As a member you will get to use specific designations behind your name and on your business card. If you are serious about building a long-term career around your studies, then you should be joining the ICBA now.
As soon as you have achieved the first level of your studies, you will be able to apply for your professional designation. Read more about the ICBA here: http://www.skillsacademy.co.za/icba-institute-certified-bookkeepers-accountants/
Exam ICB Registration – When is the Best Time?
In 2017 the ICB offers five exam sessions. So if you miss an exam, if you don’t feel you are properly prepared, then there will be another and another an another chance to write that exam.
If you know you might miss an exam that you have already registered for, then you can apply for a postponement. A postponement will cost your R220 per subject.
Part of your final mark is determined by the mark you get for your Portfolio of Evidence (POE). It counts 30% of your final mark. It only gets sent to you when you register for an exam. You must do an POE for each of your subjects. So to have the most time to work on your POE, you should register early for an exam. You POE only gets sent to you after you have registered for an exam.
Pro tip: Aim for one or two subjects per exam sitting. Plan your study calendar, and then register for all the 2017 exams you plan to write. Registering for the exam shows your commitment to do the work, complete the POE and pass your exam! You have to fully commit to your studies, and registering for your exams is how you show your commitment to yourself.
The importance of ICB Registration Early
The ICB will get thousands of exam applications for the 2017 exams. If you wait till the last moment, then you will be in a rush, and you might not follow the ICB Registration process properly. You will also be part of the large number of students trying to register at the last moment. And that means lots of waiting and frustration, as the ICB handles that last-minute rush.
If you start your ICB Registration early, you will find that everybody, from the college to the ICB exams department has time for you. And they can work with you to make sure you get all the details right.
Early ICB Registration also means you get the maximum amount of time to work on your Portfolio of Evidence. Your POE counts 30% of your final mark, so it is a great opportunity to “bank” some marks before you start writing your exam.
Your Portfolio of Evidence
When you register for an exam for a subject, then the ICB will issue your POE for that subject as part of your exam ICB Registration. It usually takes three to four weeks for them to issue your POE.
You must make sure you understand exactly what is required of you in your Portfolio of Evidence. The following elements are very important:
- Will I get a POE for every subject?
- When will I get my POE?
- What is the first thing I should do when I get my POE?
- What is in the POE Folder and Guide?
- What happens if I don’t do a POE?
- When and Where do I submit my POE?
- Your Exam
Will I get a POE for every subject?
Yes. For every subject that you write and exam, you must get an POE, complete the POE and hand it in at the exam.
Each POE is specifically developed for that one subject. So two subjects will not have the same POE.
As a home study student you will get your POE couriered directly to you from the ICB.
When will I get my POE?
When you register for an exam, the ICB starts the process of issuing your PEO for the subjects that you registered for that exam. Usually it takes three to four weeks from your exam ICB Registration to getting your POE. In 2017 the ICB will courier your PEO to you.
What is the first thing I should do when I get my POE?
Check that all your details are correct on the POE. If there are details missing or incorrect, contact your college or the ICB immediately.
Now read the POE carefully and complete the instructions in the POE.
What is in the POE Folder and Guide?
With your POE you will get the following three items:
- ICB Portfolio Administration Guide
- ICB Tests and Assignments
- Answer Books
Your ICB Portfolio Administration Guide is your most important guide to studying your ICB subject. It tells you what to do throughout your studies. It explains how to fill in your POE, and it has lots of forms you must complete as part of the POE process.
You must work through your ICB Portfolio Administration Guide in detail. Do all the instructions and ask your tutor if you have any questions.
You get three Assignments and two Tests with every subject POE. This is to test your knowledge during your studies.
With your POE you get blank answer books. You must use these answer books to write the answers for your three Assignments and two Tests.
What happens if I don’t complete the POE?
Your POE counts 30% of your final mark. You cannot pass your Exam if you have not completed your POE. The POE is part of your final exam, and it gets marked together with your final exam. So make sure you do your POE properly, and hand it in at the exam.
When and Where do I submit my POE?
Firstly, make sure you have made a copy of your POE before you hand it in. And keep your copy in a safe place.
You take your completed POE to the exam, and at the end of the exam you hand it in, together with your final exam paper.
So when you have finished writing your exam, you add the exam question and answer papers to your POE and hand all of it in at the same time.
Note: Once you have handed in your Exam Papers and your POE, you cannot send in any further parts. So if you don’t hand it in at the exam, it will not be marked, and it will not count towards your final mark.
Planning your Study Calendar
When you have registered for your course, the first thing you should do, is to plan your study calendar. Think about how much time you will study every day, and each week. Find out how much study time is recommended for a subject. And then plan your studies on a calendar.
In this way, you can make sure that you have enough time to prepare for your exam. Allow some time before the exam to review your work.
Planning your studies, and studying a little bit every day, is the best way to pass your exams the first time. Cramming does not work.
Pass Marks
To pass your exam, you need an average of 60% for a subject. Of your total mark, 30% comes from your POE, and 70% from your final exam. Together these two make up your final mark.
You must get an average mark of 60% to pass a subject.
Exam Re-writes
If you fail an exam, you can ask for a re-write. You can only get one re-write. And you must re-write the exam within 12 months of the exam you failed. The ICB recommends that you re-write as soon as possible.
A re-write it truly a second chance. So if you fail, immediately register for your re-write.
Postponing an Exam
If you are unable to attend the exam you registered for, you can ask for a postponement. REmember that there are also cut-off dates for postponements. So you must apply for a postponement in time. You will have to pay an postponement fee when you apply for a postponement.
Expert tip: Don’t postpone if you feel that you are not prepared properly for your exam. All students feel like that before an exam! Rather write your exam, and if you fail, go for the re-write. In this way the exam will help prepare you for the re-write, if you fail. And maybe you pass!
Re-mark of an Exam
If you are unhappy with your marks, you can apply for a re-mark of your exam. You need to use the Application Form for Remark of an Exam, and pay the re-mark fee, before the ICB will re-mark your exam.
Finding an Exam and Assessment Centre
The ICB has many exam centres throughout South Africa, and even two in Namibia.
Here is a list of the listed centres, correct as in October 2016:
Eastern Cape
EAST LONDON
MSC College – East London
14 St Matthews Road
Southernwood
East London
5201
East London Management Institute
231 Oxford Street
Southernwood
East London
5201
PORT ELIZABETH
MSC College – Port Elizabeth
71-76 Parliament Street
Central
Port Elizabeth
Free State
BLOEMFONTEIN
MSC College – Bloemfontein
2nd Floor, Allied Building
98 Charlotte Maxeke Street
Bloemfontein
9301
Gauteng
JOHANNESBURG
Benoni
MSC College – Benoni
54 Woburn Avenue
Benoni
Johannesburg
1501
The Academy of Commerce and Accounting – Benoni
Shop E22M, Lakeside Mall
Tom Jones Street
Benoni
1501
Braamfontein
MSC College – Braamfontein
Cnr of Smith and Melle Streets
Johannesburg
Braamfontein
2001
Sandton Ridge
IBTC
Block B, Greyston Ridge
144 Katherine Street
Sandton Ridge
Johannesburg
Directions: M1, Greyston/Sandton exit, Katherine/Sandton off-ramp, Cnr of Greyston Drive and Katherine Street
PRETORIA
Pretoria North
Boston – Pretoria North
1st Floor, Republic Leasing
Cnr of Gerrit Maritz and Burger Streets
Pretoria
0182
Sunnyside
Rosebank College – Sunnyside
Cnr of Jorissen and Johnston Streets
Sunnyside
Pretoria
0001
VEREENIGING
Profin
42 Donald Road
Glen Donald
Meyerton
Vereeniging
1929
KwaZulu-Natal
DURBAN
NG Kerk Port Natal
455 Esther Roberts Road (ex Frere Road)
Umbilo
Durban
NEWCASTLE
Qualitas Career Academy – Newcastle
The Edu Centre (off Sutherland Street, opposite Checkout)
Newcastle
2940
Limpopo
POLOKWANE
Boston – Polokwane
1st Floor, Penur Building
52 Landdros Mare Street
Polokwane
0700
Mpumalanga
MIDDELBURG
PPK Kerk – Middelburg
Cnr of SADC & Meyer Streets (Next to CTM Tiles)
Middelburg
1050
NELSPRUIT
Unigrad – Nelspruit
34 Ferreira Street
Nelspruit
North West
KLERKSDORP
MSC College – Klerksdorp
91 Anderson Street
Klerksdorp
2571
RUSTENBURG
Centurion Academy – Rustenburg
39 Heystek Street
Rustenburg
0299
Western Cape
CAPE TOWN
Bellville
MSC College – Bellville
5 Church Street
Cnr Durban & Church Street
Bellville
7535
Mowbray
Rhodes High School
Montreal Avenue
Mowbray
Cape Town
Table View
HC Varsity
1st Floor, Giuliva House
47 Blaauwberg Road
Table View
7441
Afritech Training Solutions
Milnerton Mall, 2nd Floor
Cnr. Koeberg and Loxton Road
Milnerton
7441
MOSSEL BAY
Jesua Consultants
Diaz Office Park
Block B, Unit 21
Beach Boulevard West
Diaz Beach
Mossel Bay
6506
Namibia
WALVIS BAY
Vocational College Walvis Bay
86 Hage Geingob Street
Erongo
Walvis Bay
WINDHOEK
BSW Business Solutions
31 Calcium Street
Prosperitas
Windhoek
9000
What if there is no assessment centre close to me?
If you live and work more than 200 km from one of these assessment centres, then you can apply to the ICB for Private Invigilation. This means an additional fee. And the ICB consider these requests on an individual basis. The ICB would always encourage you to rather make use of a recognised assessment centre.
Preparing for your Exam
Old ICB Exam Papers
The ICB does not make old exam papers available to students. When the syllabus changes, it means that old exam papers will not help you.
How do I get extra exam preparation help?
If you choose the PRO option when you register for your course, then you will get mock exams or trial exam papers included in your study materials.
Learner Portal
The ICB has a Learner Portal that is especially useful for home study students. This is a “self-service” option for student who wants to:
- See and update their contact details with the ICB
- Pay ICB fees online
- Enter for assessments (register for exams) and see their results (this option only available for home study students)
You can learn more about this amazing feature in the ICB Learner Portal step-by-step guide.
icb courses at unisa | icb provider portal
Last updated: November 15, 2021