ICB courses at UNISA

It is important to note that UNISA no longer offers any ICB courses. You cannot study ICB courses through UNISA. However, there are many other reputable distance learning institutions that offer ICB courses, such as:

Does UNISA Recognise ICB Qualifications?

Yes, but to get recognition, you must apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). UNISA reviews each case individually, and may grant up to 50% credit for the qualification you are applying for. However, note that UNISA reserves the right to accept or reject your application for RPL.

Can I Study Directly Through ICB?

Yes, you can, though this is not recommended. ICB does not provide any student support, so you cannot ask any questions. You will also have to find your own resources, as the ICB does not provide these for self-study students.

You will be given access to the ICB student portal, but you will not be able to graduate, as ICB does not offer their own graduation.
This results in most self-study students getting second-hand textbooks, which often have outdated information. In order to avoid any complications, it is highly recommended that you study through one of the accredited institutions that offers ICB courses.

Is ICB Accredited By SAQA?

Yes, ICB is accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). ICB is also accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), which is an internationally recognised organisation.
ICB also has accreditation from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), which means that they can be recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa. This means you can use these qualifications to apply for work or to further your studies.

What Are The ICB Courses?

There are three ICB streams of study:

ICB Financial Accounting

National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	3
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	58375
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Grade 10 or Equivalent Certificate
Subjects	Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns (PMSR) Computerised Bookkeeping (CPBK) Business Literacy (BUSL)
Career Options	Junior Bookkeeper Accounts Clerk Payroll Clerk

Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification	FET Certificate
NQF Level	4
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	58376
Credits	130
Entry Requirements	ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Subjects	Financial Statements (FNST) Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
Career Options	Senior Bookkeeper Junior Accountant Assistant Accountant

National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	36213
Credits	251
Entry Requirements	ICB Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping
Subjects	Income Tax Returns (ITRT) Business Law and Accounting Control (BLAC)
Career Options	Technical Financial Accountant Accounting Technician Tax Technician

National Diploma: Financial Accounting
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	20366
Credits	280
Entry Requirements	ICB National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
Subjects	Corporate Strategy (CRPS) Management Accounting Control Systems (MACS) Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks (FRRF) Research Theory and Practice (by short dissertation; topic: Financial Accounting) (RTAP)
Career Options	Financial Accountant Tax Practitioner Tax Consultant

ICB Business Management

National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	4
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	48736
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Grade 11 or Equivalent Certificate (Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate)
Subjects	Business Management 1 (BMT1) Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Business Literacy (BUSL)
Career Options	Junior Researcher Junior Analyst Sales Assistant

Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification	Higher Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	23619
Credits	240
Entry Requirements	National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Subjects	Office and Legal Practice (OLPR) Business Management 2 (BMT2) Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR) Financial Statements (FNST) Human Resources Management and Labour Relations (HRLR)
Career Options	Senior Office Administrator General Office Manager Customer Service Manager

National Diploma: Financial Accounting
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	20366
Credits	280
Entry Requirements	ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects	Business Management 3 (BMT3) Financial Management and Control (FMCL) Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks (FRRF) Research Theory and Practice (by short dissertation, topic: Business Management) (RTAP)
Career Options	Accounting Officer Business Manager Business Advisor

ICB Office Administration

National Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	23618
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Matric or Matric Equivalent (Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate or Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate)
Subjects	Business and Office Administration 1 (BOA1) Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Business Literacy (BUSL) Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR) Business Law and Administrative Practice (BLAP) Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
Career Options	Junior Office Administrator Receptionist Office Assistant

Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification	Higher Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	23619
Credits	240
Entry Requirements	ICB National Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects	Business and Office Administration 2 (BOA2) Human Resources Management and Labour Relations (HRLR) Economics (ECON)
Career Options	Senior Office Administrator General Office Manager Labour Relations Administrator

Diploma: Office Administration
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	35958
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects	Business and Office Administration 3 (BOA3) Financial Statements (FNST) Management (MGMT)
Career Options	Office Manager Public Relations Manager Administrative Manager

ICB courses does not require you to have Matric to be able to apply. This means you can study ICB courses even if you do not qualify to study at a university. You can study ICB courses with or without a Matric.

You can apply to study:

ICB Financial Accounting with Grade 10 or equivalent
ICB Business Management with Grade 11 or equivalent
ICB Office Administration with Matric or Matric Equivalent

ICB Study Stream	Business Management	Financial Accounting	Office Administration
Entry Requirement	Grade 11 or Equivalent	Grade 10 or Equivalent	Matric or Equivalent
Examples of Equivalents	NC (V) at NQF level 3 ICB National Certificate in Bookkeeping	NC (V) at NQF level 2	NC (V) at NQF level 4 ICB FET Certificate in Bookkeeping ICB National Certificate in Small Business Financial Management
Starting NQF Level	4	3	5
Completion NQF Level	6	6	6
Subject Examples	Business Management 1 (BMT1) Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR) Financial Management and Control (FMCL)	Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT) Income Tax Returns (ITRT) Management Accounting Control Systems (MACS)	Business and Office Administration 1 (BOA1) Human Resources Management and Labour Relations (HRLR) Financial Statements (FNST)
Career Opportunities	Junior Analyst Senior Office Administrator Business Manager	Junior Bookkeeper Junior Accountant Technical Financial Accountant Financial Accountant	Office Assistant Labour Relations Administrator Office Manager

There are other courses you can also study without Matric, such as:

CIMA courses
Short courses

CIMA Courses

CIMA courses are offered by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) through reputable distance learning colleges. CIMA is also an international organisation, and their courses are accredited and recognised worldwide.

CIMA courses go up to the Degree level. There are four levels to CIMA courses:

Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level

CIMA Course	Entry Requirement	Subject Examples	Career Opportunities with Full Qualification
Business Accounting	Be over 16, and taken Maths if you completed high school past Grade 9	Fundamentals of Management Accounting Managing Finance in a Digital World Management Case Study Financial Strategy	Debtors Clerk Business Manager Chief Financial Officer

Short Courses

Short courses are made to help you develop your workplace skills so that you can begin your career journey fully prepared. The courses listed below are all open-access, which means the only requirements you must meet are:

You must be 16 or older
You must be able to understand, read and write in English

You must also be comfortable studying online, as all courses offered at these colleges are distance learning only.

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

What Does A Bookkeeper Earn In South Africa?

The pay scale for a Bookkeeper in South Africa is R 8 100 – R 29 400 per month. The average salary for a Bookkeeper in South Africa is currently R 14 694 per month.

What Have We Learned?

UNISA no longer offers any ICB courses
There are many other reputable distance learning colleges that do offer ICB courses
UNISA does grant RPL for ICB courses
You can study through ICB directly, but it is not recommended
ICB is accredited by SAQA, ICB, and QCTO
There are three ICB streams of study

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 11 , 2022

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