Are ICB Courses Recognised?

ICB courses are just the right courses to study. The courses are recognised. The courses are accredited. What is more is that they are scarce skills courses.

Yes,  ICB courses are recognised. ICB courses are recognised both nationally and internationally. Your  ICB qualifications will be recognised by:

  • Employers
  • Other professional bodies

Employers

Employs both locally and internationally recognised ICB qualifications. With an ICB qualification, you can work anywhere in the world. ICB courses are career-oriented courses. 

They are also scarce skills courses. Employers are always on the lookout for people with scarce skills. This is why you have a high chance of securing employment with an ICB qualification.

Other Professional Bodies

Here are the professional bodies that recognise ICB qualifications either for membership or for offering exemptions when you study with them:

  • ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants – UK
  • CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK
  • IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers – UK
  • IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals – UK
  • SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Practitioners
  • SAIBA – South African Institute Of Business Accountants

ACCA

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a global accounting body which offers the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification. The body was founded in 1904 and is based in London, United Kingdom. The title of their qualification is legally protected. If you declare yourself as a Chartered Certified Accountant, you must be a member of ACCA.

CIMA

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is considered the largest professional body of management accountants. Founded in 1919, the body assists individuals and businesses to succeed in management accounting and continuous professional development. 

IAB

The UK-based International Association of Bookkeepers is a membership organisation. It provides qualifications in bookkeeping, payroll and finance to its members worldwide. It offers accredited training and continuous professional development.

IAAP

The International Association of Accounting Professionals aims to create an international community of highly qualified and successful finance professionals. It provides training, support and continuous development to its members worldwide.  The body provides an opportunity to its members to gain international status.

SAIT

South African Institute of Tax Practitioners is considered the largest professional tax body in South Africa. The body seeks to build the profession by developing standards in education, compliance, monitoring and performance.  

SAIBA

The South African Institute Of Business Accountants offers membership to the southern African accounting professionals so that they become part of the accounting community. They connect with their members through events, webinars, social media, and their membership portal 

Who Is The ICB?

The ICB was founded in 1931. It is an independent external Examination body. This is that they assess your competency when you study ICB courses. This means that they administered everything that has to do with the institute. 

They, however, do not offer any tuition nor do they provide any learning materials. Tuition is delivered by Approved Training Providers. Here are some of the functions of the ICB:

  • Approving the syllabus
  • Setting the exams and timetables
  • Marking the exams
  • Registering students
  • Collecting all the associated fees
  • Assessing prior learning

Approved Training Provider

Approved training providers deliver training on ICB courses, training providers are accredited by the ICB. Matric College is an approved training provider of the ICB. This means that they are qualified to provide tuition for all ICB courses. This was made possible as a result of thorough quality checking and assessment.

Are ICB Courses Accredited?

Yes, ICB courses are accredited. Here are the bodies that ICB is accredited with:

  • SAQA – South African Qualifications Authority
  • DHET – Department of Higher Education and Training
  • ICB – Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
  • QCTO- Quality Council for Trades and Occupations 

SAQA

SAQA stands for South African Qualifications Association. It is the body that administers the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The body also coordinates with Quality Councils and registers qualifications on the NQF.

All ICB qualifications are leveled on the NQF:

ICB QUALIFICATIONNQF LEVEL
Bookkeeping: ICB National CertificateLevel 3
Bookkeeping: ICB FET CertificateLevel 4
Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National DiplomaLevel 5
Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National DiplomaLevel 6
Small Business Financial Management: ICB National CertificateLevel 4
Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher CertificateLevel 5
Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National DiplomaLevel 6
Office Administration: ICB National CertificateLevel 5
Office Administration: ICB Higher CertificateLevel 5
Office Administration: ICB National DiplomaLevel 6

DHET

The Department of Higher Education and Training is one of the two Government departments that oversee education and training in the country. ICB courses are accredited by DHET because the courses are higher education courses.

ICB

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the body that sets the ICB exams. It is also the body that marks your exams. When marking is completed, FASSET assesses the quality of the results and awards your Certificate or Diploma. ICB issues you with a Certificate of Completion. FASSET is a quality control body.

QCTO

QCTO stands for Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. Occupational and trade qualifications are accredited by the QCTO. SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) also falls under the QCTO. This means that FASSET (the Finance and Accounting Education Sector) falls under the QCTO.

Why Should I Study An ICB Course?

  • Scarce skill
  • Competitive Salary
  • Not confined to a single industry
  • Work worldwide
  • Gain soft skills

Scarce Skill

Remember that all ICB courses are scarce skills courses. With an ICB qualification, you have earned a scarce skill. With a scarce skill, you will secure employment in no time after you have completed your course.

Competitive Salary

When you have a scarce skill it means that your skills are in demand. When a skill is in demand, salaries in the profession tend to be very competitive. When you complete your ICB course you can be rewarded handsomely.

Not Confined To A Single Industry

The beauty of an ICB course is that you are not confined to a single industry. With either an ICB business, office or financial qualification, you can work in any industry be it, commerce, public service, and not-for-profit organisations. This also means that the demand for your skills is everywhere.   

Work Worldwide

With an ICB qualification, you are also not confined to any geographical region. You can work anywhere in South Africa and the world. Also, bear in mind that ICB qualifications are internationally recognised. This means that your ICB qualification is recognised everywhere.

Gain Soft Skills

As you study through your ICB Programme you will gain a number of soft skills that will make you an efficient Office Administrator. You will gain soft skills that you can use in any profession or in social situations. This will also lead to your own personal growth.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Study An ICB Course?

Here are the requirements for studying ICB courses:

Can I Study Directly Through ICB?

No, you can not study directly through the ICB. You can only study ICB courses through an approved training provider. Matric College is an approved training provider of the ICB. You will need to register with Matric College first before you register with the ICB.

Where Can I Study An ICB Course Online?

You can study an ICB course online at Matric College. Distance learning is a form of online learning. This is because distance learning uses online tools to deliver learning. Here are some of the online tools that distance learning institutions use:

  • Email 
  • Facebook
  • Whatsapp
  • Website
  • telephone

How Do I Register With ICB?

To register with the ICB follow these simple steps:

  1. Click here to register directly with ICB
  2. Fill in all the relevant details
  3. Click register
  4. You will be redirected to another page where you must fill in all the required personal information
  5. You will then be able to log in with your new details 

How Many Years Does It Take To Study ICB Courses?

ICB PROGRAMMERECOMMENDED DURATION
ICB Financial Accounting3 years
ICB Business Management3 years
ICB Office Administration3 years

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Connor Bergsma
Date Published: June 13, 2022