Our ICB Bridging Course
Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
The ICB Bridging course is a course that assists students who do not meet the requirements to study ICB courses to bridge that gap so that they become eligible to study for ICB courses. The ICB bridging course prepares non-qualifying students for ICB courses.
Upon completion of the bridging course, students can study any one of the following ICB courses:
The requirements for this course is Matric or a Matric Equivalent qualification If you want to pursue this course, you will first have to complete either the Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate or the Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate. These two courses are equivalent to a Matric.
What Are The Requirements OF The ICB Bridging Course?
Here are the requirements for studying for the ICB Bridging course:
- Grade 10 or Grade 10 Equivalent Certificate
- Be able to read, write and understand English
- Be able to study through distance learning
What Are The Benefits Of A Bridging Course?
Here are the benefits of studying the ICB Bridging courses:
- Get a well-defined career path – When you study the ICB bridging course, you will get to choose for yourself a well-defined career path through the programmes that the ICB offers. You can have a defined career path in the following:
- You study a scarce skills course – All ICB courses are scarce skills courses. This means that these courses are in demand by employers. By studying ICB courses, you can be assured of a bright and successful career.
- ICB courses are accredited – All ICB courses are accredited. Here are the bodies that the ICB courses are accredited by:
- SAQA
- QCTO
- ICB
- FASSET
- ICB courses are recognised – ICB qualifications are recognised by both employers and other professional local and international accounting bodies. Here are the professional bodies that recognise ICB:
- South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT)
- South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA)
- International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB)
- International Association of accounting professionals (IAAP)
- The entry requirements are flexible – you do not need to have Matric or Matric Equivalent qualification to study the ICB bridging course
Can I Study A Bridging Course Without Matric?
Yes, you can study the ICB bridging course without Matric. Matric or a Matric Equivalent qualification are not a requirement.
How Long Does It Take To Do A Bridging Course?
The recommended duration of the ICB Bridging course is 12 -16 months.
What Subjects Will I Study?
These are the subjects that you will study for the ICB Bridging course:
- Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB)
- Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns (PMSR)
- Computerised Bookkeeping (CPBK)
- Business Literacy (BUSL)
What Will I Learn?
Here is what you will learn in the ICB Bridging Course:
Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB)
In this subject, you will learn the following:
- Introduction to Bookkeeping
- Recording income, receipts and payments
- Balancing books
- Balancing financial business transactions
Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns (PMSR)
In this subject, you will learn the following:
- Disclosing profits and losses
- Business financial position
- Business tax
- Payroll tax
Computerised Bookkeeping (CPBK)
In this subject, you will learn the following:
- Bookkeeping computer programmes
- PC concepts
- Pastel accounting
- Microsoft Word
Business Literacy (BUSL)
In this subject, you will learn the following:
- Concepts of numeracy
- Interest calculations
- Calculating using fractions and percentages
What Are My Career Opportunities?
Upon completion of your ICB Bridging course you can look for employment opportunities. Here are some of the career options that you can consider:
- Junior Bookkeeper
- Accounts Clerk
- Reconciliation Clerk
- Payroll Clerk
- Accounts Assistant
What Can I Study After The Bridging Course?
Though you can study any of the ICB programmes upon completion of the ICB Bridging course, it is however associated more with the ICB Financial Accounting programme. Here is what you can study:
Is A Bridging Course A Qualification?
Yes, the ICB Bridging course is a qualification. It is known as the Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate. Here is additional information about this qualification:
| Certificate Type | National Certificate |
| Accredited By | The Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) |
| Awarded By | FASSET |
| NQF Level | Level 3 |
| SAQA ID | 58375 |
| Credits | 120 |
Is A Bridging Course Equivalent To Matric?
No, the ICB Bridging course is not equivalent to Matric. Matric is at National Qualification Framework level 4 while the ICB Bridging course is at NQF level 4. Here are the NQF levels of the ICB Financial Accounting programme:
| ICB ACCOUNTING COURSE | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS |
| Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate | 3 | 120 |
| Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate | 4 | 130 |
| Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma | 5 | 251 |
| Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma | 6 | 280 |
Can I Study The Bridging Course Online?
Yes, you can study the ICB Bridging course online. Online learning is a form of distance learning. This is because when you study by distance learning, you use online tools. Here are the online tools that you use when you study through distance learning:
- Telephone
- Website
What Are The Benefits Of Studying Through Distance Learning?
Here are the benefits of studying through distance learning:
- You can work while you study
- You create your own timetable
- Save money
- Avoid the risk of COVID-19
You Can Work While You Study
When you study through distance learning, you do not have to quit your job if you are working. You can continue with your work as there are no classes to attend. What is more, is that you can use part of your income to pay for your tuition. You can finance your own studies.
You Create Your Own Timetable
There is flexibility when you study through distance learning. This is because since you do not have to attend any classes, you set your own timetable. To can study at times that are convenient to you. You can also study wherever you want. Just make sure that there are no distractions.
Save Money
You can save money when you study through distance learning. Here is how you can save:
- No transport costs
- Since you are not attending any classes, you save on transport costs
- No food costs
- Since you are not attending any classes, you also save on the cost of teas and lunches
- Tuition fees are affordable
- Distance learning fees are more affordable than that of contact learning
- You also do not have to buy textbooks
Avoid The Risk Of Covid-19
When you study through distance learning, you also avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19. This is because since you will not be attending classes you will not mingle with fellow students, tutors and the public. When you study at home, you stay safe.
Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 27, 2022