The ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting course is a versatile study programme, in which you can pursue a range of different career paths. According to sources like Salary Explorer, PayScale, and Indeed, the average salary a bookkeeper makes ranges from R14 000 – R29 000 per month.
The salary of some other career avenues you can pursue in Bookkeeping and Accounting include:
- Bookkeeper – R14 600 monthly expected salary
- Financial Accountant – R21 900 monthly expected salary
- Management Accountant – R25 500 monthly expected salary
- Payroll Clerk – R19 900 monthly expected salary
- Tax Advisor – R34 200 monthly expected salary
What Is A Bookkeeper?
A Bookkeeper is responsible for handling the finances of a business, by providing accurate reading and reports, on company income and expenses. Their reports are then provided to business owners and managers, and gets used to help them make better business decisions.
Duties Of A Bookkeeper
The core foundational tasks a Bookkeeper is responsible for on a daily basis include:
- Recording financial sales and transactions
- Cross-referencing bank statements and other documents
- Proving monthly and yearly financial reports
- Creating and following up on invoices
- Calculating pay and deductions
- Preparing tax returns
- Creating budgets and providing forecast reposts
- Managing general ledger accounts
What Skills Do I Need To Become A Bookkeeper
To succeed in a career as a bookkeeper, you will need to have the following skills:
- Numeracy skills
- Accounting skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Organisational skills
- Time-management skills
- Discipline
How Do I Become A Bookkeeper?
In order to become a Bookkeeper, you will need to have the necessary skills and qualifications in Bookkeeping. To gain the required credentials for a Bookkeeping career, there are various courses you can apply for that will help increase your knowledge in Bookkeeping, and boost your employability.
Bookkeeping Courses
The ICB offers a Bookkeeping and Accounting programme, that will equip you with all the necessary skills and knowledge a Bookkeeper needs to have, and includes the following courses:
Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
The Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate is the foundational course of the ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting programme, and will introduce you to all the required skills and knowledge of Bookkeeping. During this course, you will cover the following subjects:
- Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB)
- Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns (PMSR)
- Computerised Bookkeeping (CPBK)
- Business Literacy (BUSL)
Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate
The Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate is the next step in your Bookkeeping qualification, and focuses on expanding on the knowledge gained in your Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate course. In your FET Certificate course, you will cover the following subjects:
- Financial Statements (FNST)
- Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
Further Studies
Once you have completed your Bookkeeping studies, the ICB extends its Bookkeeping and Accounting programme, to allow you to be able to pursue a National Diploma qualification.
With a National Diploma, you will be able to pursue a variety of different career paths in finance, and will be able to obtain higher ranking positions within a business.
The ICB’s Bookkeeping and Accounting National Diploma, consists of the following courses:
- Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Once you have completed your ICB Diploma, you will have a qualification that is recognised not only in South Africa but internationally as well. You will be able to join different professional bodies with your National Diploma. Here are just a few of them below:
- International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP)
- South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT)
- International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB)
Work Your Way Up
Once you have completed any of the ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting courses offered at Bellview, you will be able to apply for positions as a Bookkeeper at various companies.
Since the ICB is a highly regarded qualification, your chances of employment, and job security, will be high. However, the level of position you will be able to apply for will depend on the qualification you have.
What Are The Entry Requirements For Bookkeeping And Accounting?
In order to start the ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting programme, you will need to have a Grade 10 or Equivalent Certificate. Bellview’s application process is open all year round, so once you meet the entry requirements, you are free to register.
Bellview Institute Of Distance Learning Application Process
You can apply for the ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting programme at Bellview, via the following methods:
- Call our toll-free line at 080 039 0027
- Contact one of our course specialists
- Call or WhatsApp us: 065 656 9818
- Fill out our online application form
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not need to have a Matric Certificate to become a Bookkeeper. At Bellview, you can register for the ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting programme, with only a Grade 10 or Equivalent Certificate.
Yes, Bookkeepers handle reports that go to business owners and managers, and are involved in strategy development, so they are required to handle and have to prepare tax returns.
Yes, by having a stable internet connection, it is possible for Bookkeeping to work from home.
To study the Bookkeeping courses offered at Bellview, it will take a total of 40 months to get the necessary qualifications to become a bookkeeper.
No, Bookkeepers only provide readings and reports, and their work gets overseen by business owners, so they cannot call themselves accountants.
Author: Ashley Roskruge
Editor: Connor Bergsma
Date Published: June 15, 2022