The ICB, also known as the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, is not only an external examination board, but also a Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO).
The History of the ICB
The ICB started in 1931. When they started they were still an education and training body, as well as offered professional membership. The professional membership split from the ICB in 2015 after the academic guidelines and laws changed. The professional membership, now a sister company of the ICB, is known as the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA). They are a QAP of the QCTO. This means that their courses are rated by the National Qualifications Framework or NQF. Because of this their courses have an NQF rating and SAQA ID and are all accredited.
What are NQF Levels?
NQF levels are a way to measure qualifications in South Africa. Matric is an NQF 4 course and a degree is NQF 7. It is easy to see then that a degree comes after Matric and that it is at a higher level and more difficult. The NQF is run by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). All NQF qualifications therefore have a unique SAQA ID as a way of showing that it is measured and legit.
What are the Different ICB Courses?
The ICB offers five different streams of course programmes to study. The different streams are Financial Accounting, Office Administration, Public Sector Accounting, Entrepreneurship, and Business Management. All of these course programmes end up consisting of 12 subjects and take three years to complete.
Why Should I Study With ICB?
With the ICB you have the opportunity of studying without Matric, have a qualification that is accredited and internationally recognised in less than a year, and be able to apply for professional membership and add it to your CV. You can register with the ICBA, South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT), The South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA), International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB), and International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP).
How do I Register?
First things first, you need to register with an ICB accredited training provider. After this step you log in and register online on the ICB Learner Portal on their site. Here you register for your course and subjects and pay your fees. The Learner Portal is also convenient as you also register for your exams here by choosing a venue and date that is suitable for you. After this you will receive your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), to be completed and handed in when writing your exam. This consist of three assignments and two tests and proves that you know your work. Registering and studying through the ICB is easy. Do it now.