Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate

2-min-1

Course Summary

Award type:
ICB National Certificate
Accredited by:
ICB, QCTO
Duration:
12 Months, 24 Months
Entrance Requirement:
Successful completion of the ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping

ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate is the second qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. It is a continuation of the ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate. The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate equips you with knowledge and skills in the following: 

  • Disposal of assets
  • Analysis of financial statements
  • Understanding of cash flow principles 
  • Preparation of manufacturing accounts 
  • Preparation of budgets
Matric College

Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate Subjects

The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate is made up of two (2) subjects. You must first complete the 4 subjects in the ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate to study these subjects.

Completion of Subjects In ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate 

  • Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB)
  • Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns (PMSR)
  • Computerised Bookkeeping (CPBK)
  • Business Literacy (BUSL)

Complete Subject List for ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate 

  • Financial Statements (FNST)
  • Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)

Career Opportunities

  • Senior Bookkeeper
  • Junior Accountant
  • Assistant Accountant
  • Credit Controller
  • Business Analyst

What Will I Learn? 

  • Interpret accounts
  • Draft financial statements
  • Prepare ledger accounts
  • Calculate and record tax returns
  • Balance profit and cost sheets
  • Record income and expenses
  • Knowledge of cash flow principles
Financial Statements (FNST)
  • This subject will teach you how to prepare financial records for a company.
Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
  • This subject will teach you how to manage and reduce the costs of a company while making their profits increase.
How ICB Can Change Your Life

ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate Assessments 

The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate assessments consist of assignments, tests, and examinations. You must complete these to pass the course. The assessments are set in a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).

Portfolio of Evidence

The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate is made up of a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). The PoE includes 3 assignments and 2 online tests. Each subject in the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate has a PoE which must be completed. For your final assessment, you are expected to write an examination. 

Exams

There are two types of exams in the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate. These are: 

  • Online exams 
  • Paper-based exams 

As a distance learning student, you write your exams at the ICB-approved examination centres as well as online. The ICB has implemented this information from April 2021 onwards. 

Online Exams 

The online exams are written on the ICB MACCI Portal. Online exams are scheduled to be written from 01:00 pm to 04:30 pm. 

Paper-Based Exams

The paper-based exams are written at a physical location booked by the ICB or at a provider college. The exams are scheduled for 09:00 am to 12:30 pm.

How ICB Courses Are Assessed

An ICB Certificate is a qualification you are awarded once you have completed an ICB Certificate course. 

Yes, the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate course is accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

The best Bookkeeping course is the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate. This qualification is recognised globally. This means your chances of finding employment or furthering your studies, both in South Africa and abroad, increases. 

The Bookkeeping FET Certificate is the second qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. With this qualification, you can grow a career in the Financial Accounting field. Once you have completed the Bookkeeping FET Certificate course, you will be able to study the Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma.

Yes, you can be a Bookkeeper without a Degree Qualification. You can work as a Senior Bookkeeper if you have the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate. This qualification equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work in the Bookkeeping field.

Yes, the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate is worth it. This is a qualification recognised nationally and internationally. This creates opportunities for you to advance your career globally. If you miss a career opportunity in one place, you can find another in a different place. 

The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate is an accredited qualification. Employers will value you with an accredited qualification. Accreditation increases your employment chances because of the following: 

  • Employers value the quality education you have 
  • You were taught by professionals 
  • Completing your qualification tells employers that you are a hard worker 
  • You have relevant skills and knowledge 

Bookkeeping skills are important in a business. They are needed to help a business succeed by monitoring, recording, and managing financial records. This means you have various career opportunities to follow.

Yes, Bookkeeping is a good career choice. You have a chance to grow from one career opportunity to another. You can start by working as a Senior Bookkeeper with the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate. You can, furthermore, advance your career by studying the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma. With this qualification, you can move into higher working positions such as a Financial Manager or Tax Technician. 

These are the duties of a Certified Bookkeeper: 

  • Send invoices to clients 
  • Handle payroll 
  • Set up a budget 
  • Reconcile bank statements 
  • Prepare tax documents
  • Draft financial reports
R 246 024 yearly

The average salary for a Senior Bookkeeper is R 20 502 per month in South Africa.

Source: Indeed

Your Next Step Is To Get Your Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma

Once you have completed the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate course, you can study the Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma. This is the third qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. Through the Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma, you will be able to look for employment in higher positions in the Financial Accounting field.

Why Choose To Study With Matric College?

Here are the reasons why you should study through distance learning

  • You can study from anywhere you like
  • Save money and time 
  • Study at your own pace 
  • Schedule your study times 
  • You can work and study at the same time 
  • There are tutors available to assist you with the course assessments 
  • We have Facebook study groups available to help you to interact with other students 
  • Gain a quality qualification accredited by ICB and QCTO
  • You will be able to further your studies or look for employment after your qualification

Here is how Bookkeepers get their first career opportunity:  

  • Study an ICB Bookkeeping course e.g the ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate 
  • Gain a qualification and list the knowledge and skills you have learned in your CV 
  • Apply for entry-level employment in Bookkeeping 
  • Gain work experience and sharpen your skills 
  • Consider furthering your studies e.g studying the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate
  • Gain more skills and knowledge in Bookkeeping 
  • Apply for senior positions in Bookkeeping and work as a: 
    • Senior Bookkeeper
    • Junior Accountant 
    • Credit Controller

You become a qualified Bookkeeper by completing a course. At Matric College, we offer accredited Bookkeeping courses. These are registered with a professional body. This means our courses are quality-checked to ensure they offer quality education at all times. Once you have completed a Bookkeeping course with us, you will be qualified to work as a Bookkeeper.

Yes, All ICB courses are recognised internationally. This means you can use your ICB Qualification to study or look for employment internationally.

Yes, there is a high demand for Bookkeepers. The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate equips you with scarce skills. These are skills that are highly in demand in South Africa. This means you have a better chance of finding employment with Bookkeeping skills.

Watch Our CEO, Jan Badenhorst, Discuss Everything You Need To Know About Scarce Skills

All careers can be overwhelming at times. However, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed if you are passionate and good at your career. Before you choose to study Bookkeeping, make sure that you are interested in the course. Bookkeeping involves finance. This means you must have a passion for calculations to do the course.

Yes, Bookkeeping pays well. Bookkeepers have skills that are important in businesses. They are highly employable and earn good salaries.


The average salaries in Bookkeeping range from approximately R 13 207 to R 20 502 per month.

Source: Indeed

Once you have completed the highest qualification in our ICB courses which are National Diploma Qualifications, you can further your studies. The following bodies recognise ICB Qualifications, this means you can further your studies through 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)

Application Process

The application process at Matric College is simple. You can complete this online or through the phone. Here is how you can apply: 

  • Click here to apply for the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate 
  • Our course experts will contact you and register you for the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate course 
  • When you have been successfully registered, we will send your study material by courier 
  • This process takes 5 to 7 days

How Do I Study ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate?

Here is how you can study the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate

  • Register as an ICB Student as outlined in your registration pack
  • Sign up for ICB MACCI to build your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)
  • Complete and submit your Assignments on ICB MACCI
  • Write your Open-Book Tests using the ICB MACCI Portal 
  • To register for the final exam, complete the ICB Student Portal exam entry form
  • You can write the ICB final exam online or in-person (remember to submit your PoE)
  • The ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate will be awarded to you by Matric College once it is received from ICB and FASSET

When Can I Start Studying ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate?

Once you have been registered by one of our course experts, you will receive your course study material in 5 to 7 days. Once you receive this, you can start studying.

Where Can I study ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate?

You can study the ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate at Matric College. We are a distance learning college. This means you study at home. You communicate with your tutors through email, calls, and WhatsApp. They are available to assist you Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

ICB is the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. They are an Independent External  Examination Body that sets external assessments. Their ICB courses are offered through training providers that are registered with them. Matric College is one of the training providers registered with ICB. We offer all three (3) of the ICB programmes.

The ICB Student Portal is one of two online portals. You can do the following on the ICB student portal:

  • Register for your ICB course
  • Register for the ICB Exam (Matric College does NOT register students for exams)
  • Get digital copies of qualifications and other official documents
  • Pay your course fees
  • Update personal details

ICB Student Portal

ICB MACCI is the second online portal. You can do the following on the ICB MACCI portal:

  • Get course updates
  • Access your PoE
    • Write and submit your assignments
    • Write and submit online tests
  • Write your examinations

macci digital portfolio

Yes, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the studies or work experience you completed within 5 years of enrolling for an ICB course programme.

Work Experience CreditsPrior Learning Credits
You must complete a Portfolio of Evidence sent to you by the ICB

Your qualification must be SAQA registered

Your qualification must be registered on the NQF

The results will determine if they can give you credits or not.

Your qualification must have an NQF Level

Submit proof of accredited provider e.g DHET

It Is Important To Note That Credit Exemptions Are Not Guaranteed.

Yes, ICB courses have associated fees. All payments can be made through the ICB student portal. ICB 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 you have completed your ICB Qualification, your results will be audited. ICB will ask FASSET to prepare your Certificate. FASSET will send the Certificate to us and then we will award you with your qualification. This process takes 3 – 6 Months.

An ICB course is a qualification course offered by training providers that are registered with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB).

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) has been in the education industry since 1931. This means the ICB is 91 years old.

Other Financial Accounting Courses

ICB Junior Bookkeeping National Certificate

ICB National Certificate Junior Bookkeeping

ICB National Certificate Junior Bookkeeping

Read More
ICB Technical Financial Accounting

ICB National Diploma Technical Financial Accounting

ICB National Diploma Technical Financial Accounting

Read More
ICB Certified Financial Accounting

ICB National Diploma Certified Financial Accounting

ICB National Diploma Certified Financial Accounting

Read More

Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Amy Venter

Date Published: February 17, 2022

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What is Senior Bookkeeping?

Being a senior bookkeeper comes with a great deal of responsibilities. Bookkeepers are an integral part of running a business day to day. This includes:

  • Recording ingoing and outgoing transactions 
  • Daily banking activities
  • Payment processing 
  • Financial reporting
  • Oversee all financial data

It's a scarce skill

Senior bookkeeping is one of South Africa’s scarce skills. This means that it is in demand and not many people have this qualification. 

With a scarce skill, it’ll be easier to find employment anywhere in the country and even the world. Bookkeeping is something that can be done anywhere.

Why study an ICB accredited course?

ICB Senior Bookkeeping

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers are an internationally recognised institution that offers business related courses such as finance management. 

ICB courses are internationally accredited and well known. This means that you can practise bookkeeping nationally and internationally with an ICB qualification. Employers are also more likely to employ you since they know your qualification is high quality. 

All of the ICB courses are long-distance learning. Not only can you study at your own pace, but you can also save money on transport! 

General Information

If you’re thinking of studying Senior Bookkeeping, here’s what you need to know:

  • Programme type: Partner Program
  • Award type: FET Certificate and a Program Completion Certificate
  • Awards issued by: FASSET will issue your National Qualification and the ICB will issue your Program Completion Certificate
  • Accredited by: QCTO
  • Course duration: 24 Months

Entry Requirements

These are the entry requirements needed to be able to apply for the Senior Bookkeeping course: 

  • Successful completion of the ICB bookkeeping certificate: If you want to apply you must have either completed the ICB bookkeeping certificate or be a certified senior bookkeeper. 
  • Be a certified senior bookkeeper: Either you completed the certificate mentioned above or you need to be a certified senior bookkeeper to apply.
  • Ability to read and write in English: Because the course is taught in English, you’ll need to be able to read and write in English 

Unable to meet the course requirements?

Want to study towards an ICB qualification but don’t meet the standard requirements? Apply for the Bridging Course!

The bridging course is perfect for students who want to further their studies towards an ICB qualification, but they don’t meet the standard entry requirements.

Your Subjects

When looking to study Senior Bookkeeping, these are the subjects that you can expect to encounter. 

  • Introduction to Business English 
  • Bookkeeping to Trial Balance 
  • Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns 
  • Computerised Bookkeeping
  • Business Literacy 
  • Financial Statements
  • Cost and Management Accounting.