The ICB – Institute Of Certified Bookkeepers is a professional body that is responsible for improving the standards of bookkeeping and accounting qualifications throughout South Africa. The ICB was founded in 1931 and became a professional body as well as course suppliers. The ICB offers courses in bookkeeping, accounting, business management, office administration and entrepreneurship. You can read more on the Business Management courses here.

What does the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers do?

• The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers offers qualifications for many different types of business fields, such as accounting, bookkeeping, financial management and entrepreneurship.
• Every qualification that the ICB offers is made up of various modules/subjects. These can be studied as short courses so that you can work on one module at a time.
• The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers also provides membership to those who have completed any of their courses, even the short courses.
• Several professional bodies recognise ICB courses. This means that if you want to work for a professional body or join them, you will only have a chance of doing so if the recognise your qualification. This means that you have an opportunity you wouldn’t have if the course wasn’t an ICB course.
• There are several other organisations, who supply courses, that recognise ICB courses and will give you exemptions if you want to study with them. Exemption means that don’t have to do certain subjects, as they believe you have already completed an equivalent subject. This is very useful if you want to study further.

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Accreditation

The ICB is based in South Africa and is recognised by FASSET as a Quality Assurance Partner. While the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is also affiliated with both the IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants) and the IAB (International Association of Bookkeepers) both of which operate from the United Kingdom.

How does an Institute of Certified Bookkeepers courses work?

The ICB sets up exams and designs the study material that they offer. However, they don’t provide support for their own courses. Students who want to study an ICB course need to find a college, like Skills Academy to support them through their course. You can even start studying with your grade 10 completed by studying the NQF L3 Bookkeeping course.

Professional Bodies that Recognise The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers:

• Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA)
• International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP)
• Southern African Institute for Business Accountants (SAIBA)
• International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB)
• South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT)

Academic Institutions that Offer Exemptions for Some of Their Courses:

• CIMA: CIMA’s Management Accounting Studies, offers exemptions for ICB graduates.
• ACCA: ACCA only offers exemption if you completed a National Diploma in Financial Accounting and wish to become a Certified Chartered Accountant.

ICB Accredited Courses You Can Study Through Distance Learning At TWP Academy:

• ICB Business Management

Find out more about the ICB here. For more information read the ICB prospectus page.

| ICB results 2016

Last update: April 3, 2019