Office Administration: ICB National Certificate

Our ICB Office Administration National Certificate is a scarce skill qualification. With this course, you will learn the basic skills of admin and bookkeeping.

The Office Administration: ICB National Certificate is the foundation level of the three-course  ICB Office Administration Programme.

ICB Office Administration

The Subjects For Office Administration: ICB National Certificate

The subjects for Office Administration: ICB National Certificate are:

  • Bookkeeping and Office Administration
  • Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
  • Business Law and Administrative Practice
  • Business Literacy
  • Cost and Management Accounting
  • Marketing Management and Public Relations

What Will I Learn? 

This course will teach you the basics of Office Administration. This is what you will learn in the Office Administration: ICB National Certificate Course:

  • Basic communication
  • Bookkeeping up to Trial Balance
  • Basic knowledge of Cost and Management Accounting
  • Basics of Marketing and Public Relations
  • Basics of Business Law and Administrative Practices
How ICB Can Change Your Life

Office Administration ICB National Certificate Assessments

As soon as you are ready to study, you will need to pay your annual student registration fee. After payment, you can register for your exams. Registration for your exams will enable you to build your Portfolio of Evidence. 

Portfolio Of Evidence (PoE)

The Portfolio of Evidence is an important part of your learning journey as it enables you to prepare for your exams. You can not properly prepare for your exams if you do not have a Portfolio of Evidence.

Since the beginning of April 2021, all Portfolios of Evidence have been converted to a digital format regardless of whether you are a distance learning student or a classroom-based student. The Portfolio of Evidence is accessed through the ICB MACCI platform. 

Assignments

In phases 1 and 2, the assignments are completed online. The assignments are also auto-marked. You will receive immediate feedback on your submitted assignments.

You will need to download the assignment for phase three and complete it offline. After completing the assignment, you will need to scan it and upload it to the Portfolio of Evidence.

The assignments are not timed but you will need to complete them in a single login.

Tests

Two online tests need to be completed as part of the Portfolio of Evidence. The tests are part of phases 1 and 2. Tests are written online and are auto-marked. You will receive feedback immediately.

Unlike the assignments, the tests are timed. The tests are designed in such a way that there is no time to look for answers. This means that you have to know your work well. 

Exams

ICB exams are written throughout the year. For you to be allowed to write your final exams, you need to meet the following conditions:

  • You must have completed all the formative assessments, that is, the three assignments and the two online tests
  • You will need to submit your Portfolio of Evidence online before the start of an exam. For students who are writing the paper-based exam, the Portfolio of Evidence must be submitted at least 48 hours before the exams. 

Online Exams 

Online exams are written in  February, April, June, August, October, and December. The 3-hour exams start from  01:00 pm to 04:30 pm. You get 30 minutes to set up your computer. You will write your final exams on the MACCI platform. You will need to keep an eye on the ICB website for the actual dates.

Paper-Based Exams

When we talk about paper-based exams, it means that you have opted to go to an examination centre to write your exam. Paper-based exams are written in March and August. The 3-hour exam starts from 09:00 am to 12:30 pm. Keep an eye on the ICB website for the actual dates.

NOTE: ICB venues have limited capacities due to COVID-19 compliance

How ICB Courses Are Assessed

Yes, Office Administration is a good career. Here is why:

  • Not confined to a particular industry
  • It is a scarce skill
  • You will build relationships
  • You can work abroad

Not Confined To A Particular Industry

Office Administration is not confined to any particular industry. There is a need for Office Administrators in every sector of the economy, be it commerce, industrial, the Public, or the Non-Profit sectors.

It Is A Scarce Skill

Office Administration is a scarce skill. What this means is that when you complete your course, you will be employed in no time. Remember that all ICB courses are scarce skills courses. 

You Will Build Relationships

You will get the opportunity to work with other people that you would have to communicate and collaborate with. Not only will you build relationships with people in your organisation, but also with people outside of the organisation. This means that you will improve your professional communication skills.

You Can Work Abroad

ICB Qualifications are recognised nationally and internationally, which means you can work abroad. Since the qualifications are recognised internationally, you can also get exemptions to study other higher international courses like the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Office Administration allows businesses to be more organised. A business can not function effectively without good Office Administration. Consider the following reasons for studying Office Administration:

  • Employment opportunities
  • Gain soft skills
  • Run an office

Employment Opportunities

As has been indicated, an Office Administration course will give you more opportunities for employment as every organisation needs an office to be administered professionally. You can choose the sector that you want to work in. 

Gain Soft Skills

By studying the Office Administration: National Certificate course, you will gain soft skills relevant to your career. Here are some of the soft skills that you will gain:

  • Organisational 
  • Communication
  • Computer 
  • Typing
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Time management

Run An Office

By studying the ICB Office Administration Programme you will learn how an office environment should operate. You will also learn how to use the various equipment that is found in an office, how to conduct meetings, write reports, and effective supervision.

An Office Administrator is in charge of office duties. The functions of an Officer Administrator largely depend on the size of the organisation. With a smaller business, the duties of an Administrator tend to increase while they are lesser in larger organisations. The duties can be lesser in a larger organisation as duties tend to be spread among more people. 

Here are some of the responsibilities of an Office Administrator:

  • Report writing
  • Train office staff
  • Design and implement office policies and procedures
  • Coordinate office activities
  • SuperviseOffice Administrative staff
  • Manage travel arrangements for senior management
  • Manage correspondences

According to payscale.com, an entry-level Office Administrator with 0 – 3 years of experience earns an average salary of about R 5 000 per month. An Office Administrator with between 4 – 9 years of experience earns about R 9 750 per month. An Office Administrator with more than 10 years of experience earns about R 19 000 per month.

Office Administrator Salary

What Is The Hourly Rate For An Office Administrator?

The average base hourly rate for an Office Administrator is R 40.61. The rate could be higher for more experienced Office Administrators.

The duration depends on the type of Office Administration course you complete. It can take between 9 months to 36 months to complete an Office Administration course at Matric College. 

Here is the duration of the courses under the ICB Office Administration programme: 

Your Next Step Is To Get Your Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate

On completion of your Office Administration: ICB National Certificate, you are now set for the Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate. This is the intermediate level of the ICB Office Administration Programme. Remember, ICB courses build on each other.

Why Choose To Study With Matric College?

Matric College will assist you  in your journey to pursue a rewarding career. We will give you all the necessary help that you may require. As a distance learner, this is what we will do for you: 

  • We will provide you with textbooks 
  • We will provide you with study notes specially developed for distance learning students by our course experts
  • We will give you access to Facebook study groups with your fellow students and tutors
  • We will provide you with academic support from 08:00 am till 05:00 pm, Monday to Friday
  • We will assist you with creating your study timetable
  • We will prepare you for the exams

Here is a comparison between Office Administration and Office Management:

 OFFICE MANAGEMENTOFFICE ADMINISTRATION
ResponsibilitiesDecides how the work should flowCoordinates the workflow in the office
Skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Numeracy skills
  • Resolving disputes
  • Conflict management skills
  • A sense of emotional intelligence
  • Leadership skills
  • Communication skills
  • Computer skills
  • Research skills
  • Organisational skills
  • Communication skills
  • Time management skills
  • Exceptional attention to detail
SalaryR 17 000 to R 50 000 per month.R 15 000 to R 30 000 per month.

Administration and HR are not the same. Human Resources is the management of people while Office Administration is the management of the office space. Though there is administration in HR it is mainly of people while Office Administration is the generality of administration.

The other name for an Office Administrator is Office Manager. In some cases, the Office Administrator is just called an Administrator. Here are the other titles that may be used to refer to an Office Administrator:

  • Supervisor
  • Manager
  • Head of Department
  • Executive Secretary
  • Controller
  • Department Head

No, an Office Administrator is not a Secretary.

An Office Administrator is a decision-maker and can work independently. An Office Administrator has more duties than a Secretary. An Office Administrator supervises other staff including the Secretary.

A Secretary is a clerical role. It involves typing, receiving calls and visitors, and making appointments. A Secretary plays a supporting role to the Office Administrator.

No, an Office administrator is not a Receptionist.

An Office Administrator has more responsibilities than a Receptionist. An Administrator works independently and is a decision-maker.

A Receptionist interacts with internal and external visitors. He / She is in the frontline of the organisation. In addition, a receptionist also receives and makes calls. He / She may report to the Office Administrator.

Yes, you can study Office Administration online. Online learning is a form of distance learning. Here is why you should study online:

  • Flexibility
  • Earn while you learn
  • No commuting
  • Save costs

Flexibility

With distance learning, you are flexible in your studying. You can study at any time that suits you. You will not miss any lessons as there are not any. It is however important to stick to your study timetable. Your time management and discipline are important. 

Work and Learn At The Same Time

Distance learning allows you to learn while you are earning. There is no need to quit your job. You just have to make sure that you balance your work with your study time. You will also be able to pay for your tuition.

COVID-19 Safe

There is no commuting for any lessons. With distance learning, you cut travel costs. As you study from home, you will be safe from COVID-19. Remember, it is said, ‘Stay home and stay safe.’  

Save Costs

With distance learning, all your study material is provided. This includes notes and textbooks. You will get assistance from your tutors in those areas that you are struggling with. At Matric College, our Student Support Services are open  every working day from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm to give you all the necessary assistance that you may need.

Office Administrators play an important role in any organisation. For them to be effective, they need to possess skills that will enable the office to run smoothly. Here are some of the skills that you will need as an Office Administrator:

  • Computer
  • Organisation
  • Strategic planning
  • Communication
  • Time-management
  • Critical thinking

Computer

The computer is the main office tool for an Office Administrator. It is important that, as an Administrator, you are conversant with computer packages such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. You should also be familiar with administration software that is specific to your industry. You should also be able to find your way around the internet. 

Organisation

An Office Administrator must be organised for him /her to be effective. An Administrator has to make sure that the office has an efficient filing system, both manually and digitally. Files should be accessible anytime. The workflow also needs to be organised in such a way that tasks are completed in time and at minimum cost. 

Strategic planning

Strategic planning is also key to the duties of an Office Manager. Route planning for customer visits should not be done in a haphazard manner. A logical route should be planned in a way that minimises costs. 

Communication

As an Office Administrator, the way you communicate is of importance. In day-to-day duties, you will communicate with both internal and external people. Always make it a point to use business language whether it is in writing or verbal. The way you write your correspondence externally can determine the type of person you are and hence that of your organisation.

Time-management

At times, you will be assigned tasks that were not planned. This is where your time-management skills could be tested. You may have to re-prioritise your tasks for the day in such a way that you will manage to complete the tasks within the expected timelines. 

Critical thinking

An Office Administrator needs to act fast in times of a crisis. As an Office Administrator, you are a problem solver. You will need to do what needs to be done, at times, in a very short space of time.

Application Process

At Matric College, we would like you to sail through towards attaining your Qualification. We aim to make our students enjoy their learning experience with us from registering to studying with us right up until you write your final exams. Here is what you need to do:  

  • Complete the Online Application form at the bottom of this page and register for the Office Administration: ICB National Certificate or Contact one of our course experts
  • Within 5 – 7 days of your successful registration, your study material will be couriered to your door

How Do I Study Office Administration: ICB Office Administration?

Here are the steps that you can take to start studying for the Office Administration: ICB National Certificate:

Step 1:
Upon successful completion of your registration, we will courier your study materials to where you live.

Step 2: Register as an ICB student on the ICB Student Portal 

Step 3: Register your student account on MACCI to build your Portfolio of Evidence

Step 4: Complete and submit your assignments on MACCI

Step 5: Write open book tests online using the MACCI Portal

Step 6: Complete the exam entry form on the ICB Student Portal to register for the final exam

Step 7: Write your ICB final exam online or in-person (remember to submit your digital or paper-based portfolio)

Step 8: Matric College will issue your ICB Matric Equivalent Qualification once it is received from ICB and FASSET.

When Can I Start Studying Office Administration: ICB National Certificate?

With ICB courses, you can start studying at any time.

Where Can I Study Office Administration: ICB National Certificate?

You can study Office Administration: ICB National Certificate at Matric College. Matric College is an official Training Provider of ICB Courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is an Independent External Examination body. They are a nationally and internationally accredited body. ICB has been in existence since 1931. The body does not offer tuition or study material. Tuition is provided by colleges accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

ICB

Matric College is an official provider of the ICB Programmes.

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 Student Portal

ICB MACCI is the second online portal where students can:

  • Write tests
  • Complete and submit assignments
  • Write Exams

macci digital portfolio

You can apply for exemptions (credits) if you have studied similar courses previously or you have relevant work experience. ICB gives credit on a subject-by-subject basis. The ICB Exemptions Board reviews each application case by case to determine if there is sufficient evidence of competency in particular learning areas.

These are the two types of exemptions that will be considered:

Exemptions For Prior Learning

Applications for exemptions based on prior learning must be submitted with the following documentation:

  • Proof of provider accreditation, for example, DHET, Umalusi
  • NQF level
  • SAQA registration

Exemptions For Work Experience

You will be asked to complete a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). Once completed, it will be evaluated. ICB will let you know whether your application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has been approved or not.

Please note that the ICB’s response may take up to six weeks.

How To Apply For Exemption

Here is how you apply for exemption:

Yes, the ICB has associated fees for all the programmes and courses they offer which are payable to the ICB. Associated fees include:

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

ICB Courses- Price List

Above are the most updated prices of fees due to the ICB. Fees are correct as of the date of publication and are subject to change.

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

This process takes 3 – 6 Months.

The office Administration: ICB National Certificate Course is as easy or as hard as you make it. 

Here are a few tips to make your studies easy:

  • Stay Focused
  • Stick to your Study timetable
  • Submit your test and assignments in time
  • Interact with tutors and fellow students on study group platforms
  • Ask questions
  • Prepare well for your exams

The soft skills that you gain as you are studying the course will go a long way in assisting you to be effective on the job. Mostly, stress comes from the failure to execute your duties well.

Other ICB Office Administration Courses

ICB Office Administration Higher Certificate

ICB Higher Certificate Office Administration

ICB Higher Certificate Office Administration

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ICB Office Administration National Diploma

ICB National Diploma Office Administration

ICB National Diploma Office Administration

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ICB Office Administration

Office Administration Course List

Office Administration Course List

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Author: Collin Wilbesi

Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: February 22, 2022

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