Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is an Independent External Examination body. ICB has been in existence since 1931. The body does not offer tuition or study materials. Tuition is offered by their accredited Learning Providers including Matric College. They offer nationally and internationally recognised Business and Accounting courses as well as Admin Assistant courses.

The ICB Student Portal is one of two online portals (the other is ICB MACCI) where students can: 

• Register as an ICB Student
• Register for the ICB Exam (Matric College does NOT register students for exams)
• Retrieve digital copies of official documents and Qualification Certificates
• Pay ICB Associated Fees
• Update Personal Details

ICB MACCI is the second online portal where students can:

• Monitor their course progress
• Complete and submit assignments
• Write Online Tests and Exams

If you have studied a Business or Accounting course or worked previously, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If approved you will receive exemptions from some of your course subjects. You will have to apply to the ICB if you want to be considered for an exemption.

Yes, ICB has associated fees for all the programmes and courses they offer which can be paid directly to the ICB. Associated fees include:

• Registration Fees
• Exam-Related Fees
• And Recognition of Prior Learning Fees

You will be awarded your Certificate in 3 – 6 months.  Once your results have been audited and your Qualification is conferred for Graduation, FASSET will direct ICB to prepare your Certificate which then gets sent to Matric College where you will be awarded your Qualification.

The Office Administration Programme has three levels. Here is the NQF level of each level: 

• Office Administration: Certificate – NQF level 5 – 120 credits
• Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate is NQF Level 5 – 240 credits 
• Office Administration: Diploma – NQF level 6 -360 credits 

An Office Administrator should have any one of the following ICB course certifications:

• Office Administration: ICB National Certificate 
• Office Administration: ICB National  Higher Certificate 
• Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

If you have an NQF Level 2 qualification, you can start with beginner courses like the ICB National Certificate in Office Administration. These courses teach you the basics of working in an office, like how to talk to people, organise tasks, and use office tools. It’s a good way to begin your studies and move up step by step.

Yes, it is! Office Administrators help companies run smoothly by doing important jobs like answering emails, keeping things organised, and helping teams work better. Every office needs someone like this, which makes it a real and important career.

When you study Office Administration, you learn useful skills that help you find a job fast. You’ll know how to talk to people, work on a computer, and manage office tasks. With a qualification like the ICB Higher Certificate, you can even move up to better jobs as you gain experience.

Office administration can be stressful at times, depending on the workplace and workload. The role often involves multitasking, meeting deadlines, and handling unexpected problems, which can create pressure. However, with good organisational skills, time management, and clear communication, the work is manageable. Many office administrators find the job rewarding because of the variety of tasks and the important role they play in keeping an office running smoothly.

Yes. Office administration is a good course if you want a versatile qualification that opens doors to various industries. It equips you with practical skills in communication, organisation, record-keeping, and basic finance, which are in demand in most workplaces. Studying office administration through an accredited provider like Skills Academy also allows you to progress to higher NQF levels, making it a solid foundation for career growth in admin, management, or business.

Office administration is not generally considered a hard course, but it can be challenging if you’re not organised or comfortable multitasking. The coursework focuses on practical skills like communication, record-keeping, scheduling, and basic finance, which are straightforward if you keep up with assignments and practice regularly. The role itself can become demanding during busy periods, but with good time management and problem-solving skills, most students and professionals find it manageable and rewarding.

Office Admin short courses are a quick and easy way to learn useful office skills. You’ll learn things like how to answer phones, do basic bookkeeping, and talk to customers in a professional way. These courses are perfect if you want to build skills fast without studying for too long.

Yes, you can study this course from home. It’s offered through distance learning, which means you don’t need to go to class. You’ll do your assignments and write your exams online, so you can learn at your own pace.

Your salary depends on your job and how much experience you have. Many people with this certificate work in offices as secretaries or admin assistants. As you gain experience, your pay can increase too.