Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

Become a Skilled Technical Financial Accountant – Master Taxes, Bookkeeping, and Financial Reporting.

ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma is the third qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. This course equips you with skills in bookkeeping, taxation, and financial reporting skills for a career in finance: 

  • Completion of a set of accounts 
  • Assist management with finance and accounting skills 
  • Provide costing reports 
  • Prepare tax returns 
  • Manage cash and credit 
  • Create reduced costs strategies 

Once you have completed this course you will be qualified to work in the Technical Financial Accounting field. Discover how the ICB Technical Financial Accounting Diploma can boost your finance career. Contact us on WhatsApp.

ICB Financial Accounting

The ICB Technical Financial Accounting Diploma (NQF Level 5) gives you practical skills in bookkeeping, taxation, and financial reporting

ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma Subjects

ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma is made up of 2 subjects. You must first complete the 4 subjects from ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate and the 2 subjects from ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate. These are also offered as separate ICB Financial Accounting courses. 

Completion of Subjects In ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate

  • Financial Statements 
  • Cost and Management Accounting

Complete Subject List for ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma

  • Income Tax Returns 
  • Business Law and Accounting Control 

Learn how these subjects can prepare you for a successful finance career. Contact us on WhatsApp.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this diploma can pursue a range of roles in the financial sector:

  • Technical Financial Accountant
  • Financial Manager
  • Financial Services Manager
  • Accounting Technician
  • Tax Technician

What Will I Learn With A Diploma In Technical Financial Accounting?

  • Process goods and services documents
  • Maintain capital disposal records
  • Estimate costs for projects
  • Assist with the planning of an audit
  • Classify and record data

Income Tax Returns (ITRT)

  • This subject will teach you to complete monthly SARS returns and give you knowledge on Tax processes.

Business Law and Accounting Control (BLAC)

  • This subject will teach you how to run a business that complies with the law and regulations of commercial duties.
How ICB Can Change Your Life

ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma  Assessments

The ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma 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 Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma consists of a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). The PoE consists of 3 assignments and 2 online tests. Each subject in the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma has a PoE which must be completed. You are also expected to write a final examination. 

Exams

There are two types of exams in the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma. These are online and paper-based exams

Distance learning students write their exams at the ICB-approved examination centres as well as online. This applies from April 2021 onwards.

Online Exams 

The online exams are written on the ICB MACCI Portal. Online exams are set for 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 set for 09:00 am to 12:30 pm.

How ICB Courses Are Assessed

The ICB Financial Accounting is a programme created by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). This programme consists of four (4) courses. These are the courses under ICB Financial Accounting Programme: 

  • ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate 
  • ICB Bookkeeping FET Certificate 
  • ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma 
  • Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

A Technical Financial Accountant is a professional who works with financial and accounting activities such as: 

  • Maintaining financial records
  • Sending invoices 
  • Preparing tax returns 
  • Assisting with audits

To become a Technical Financial Accountant, you must study the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma. This course will prepare you for the Financial Technical Accounting field by equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge. Once you have completed the course, you can look for employment in the Financial Accounting field.

R 421 728 yearly

The average salary for a Technical Financial Accountant is R 35 144 per month in South Africa.

Source: Indeed

Once you have completed the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma you can use the qualification to do the following: 

  • Find employment 
  • Study further 

Find Employment 

You can use the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma to look for employment. This qualification is desirable because: 


It is a Diploma Qualification 

  • Diplomas are valued in the work environment because it is a step towards a Degree.


It offers
scarce skills 

  • These skills are highly in demand in South Africa. 


It is an accredited qualification 

  • Accredited qualifications are valued because they offer quality education according to the standards set by the NQF

Study Further 

You can further your studies by completing the next course, Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma, in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme.

After completing the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma, you can further your studies or look for employment. You can further your studies at a college or through the following professional bodies that recognise ICB courses: 

  • 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)

Yes, the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma is recognised. This qualification is recognised nationally and internationally. This means you can further your studies both in South Africa and abroad.

Yes, the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma is accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

Your Next Step Is To Get Your Certified Financial Accounting ICB National Diploma

Once you have completed the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma, you can study the Certified Financial Accounting ICB National Diploma. This is the last qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme.

Why Choose To Study With Matric College?

  • You can study from anywhere
  • You create your own study sessions
  • Study at the pace that suits you best
  • You can work and be a student at once
  • There are tutors available to assist you
  • Facebook study groups are available to allow you to interact with other students
  • You gain an accredited qualification ook for employment after your qualification
  • You will be able to further your studies

Matric College is an awesome distance learning College. Everything is just a breeze. Registration was so easy and I got my textbooks and study material just 5 days after registration. I am enjoying studying with them every step of the way – Collin W

Financial Accounting can be challenging if you are a student with the following qualities: 

  • You do not like Math 
  • You generally believe Financial Accounting is hard 

Financial Accounting needs commitment like all other careers. It is easier to study if you love Financial Accounting activities and you are good at it.

Yes, Accountants do a lot of Math. Being an Accountant involves a lot of mathematical duties, such as preparing tax returns. You must have a passion for numbers to enjoy the work.

Students with the following qualities can find technical financial accounting easy: 

  • Students who love Financial or Accounting activities 
  • Students who are good with calculations 
  • Students interested in Technical Financial Accounting 
  • Students who want to work in the Financial Accounting field 
  • Students who are committed to studying

Yes, you should study Technical Financial Accounting if you are passionate about Finance and Accounting. It is easier to study a course that you have an interest in. If you want to work in an environment where you handle finances, you should study the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma course.

Students with the following qualities can study the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma course: 

  • Students who like working with numbers 
  • Students who are good at Mathematics 
  • Students who want to work in an office environment 
  • Students who are interested in Finance or Accounting

Yes, Technical Financial Accounting is a good career. This career allows you to advance yourself from one career to another. You can work as a Technical Financial Accountant. If you want to become an Accountant, you can apply for a Diploma Qualification in Accounting at university. 

To become a licensed Accountant you will be required to write two board exams. These are sets of tests used to determine if you qualify to work as an Accountant.  

These are the tests you must complete: 

  • Initial Test of Competency (ITC) 
  • Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

Once you have completed this, you will be qualified as a registered Accountant in South Africa.

These are the differences between Accounting and Technical Accounting:

Technical AccountingAccounting
A qualification below AccountingA qualification above Technical Accounting
Mid-working-levelSenior working-level
Provides a high salaryProvides higher salary
Does not require a license to work in the fieldRequires a license to work in the field

These are the duties of a Technical Accounting Manager: 

  • Monitor financial computer systems 
  • Develop strategies to improve financial reports
  • Record clear financial reports to stakeholders 
  • Handle audits 
  • Filling tax returns

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 Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma 
  • Our course experts will contact you and register you for the Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma 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 Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma?

Here is how you can study the Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma: 

  • 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 National Certificate will be awarded to you by Matric College once it is received from ICB and FASSET

When Can I Start Studying ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma?

Once you have been registered with one of our course experts for the ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma, you will receive your course study material in 5 to 7 days. Once you receive this, you can start studying with us.

Where Can I study ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma?

You can study ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma at Matric College. We are a distance learning college which means you study from 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.

ICB Financial Accounting Fees

When you study ICB Financial Accounting, there are some fees you need to know about. These are paid directly to the ICB. They are separate from the tuition fees you pay to your college. Knowing these costs helps you plan your budget and avoid surprises.

Below is a table with the main ICB accounting fees for 2025. This includes registration, exam fees, and other costs you might need to pay.

ICB Accounting FeesCost
Annual Student Registration Fee (No member benefits)R 500
Assessment fee for Digital PoE (paper & online exam) per subjectR 915
Assessment postponement fee per subject (paper & online exam)R 375
Assessment late entry fee per subject (paper & online exam)R 585
Assessment Re-mark & Examiners Report per subject (paper & online exam)R 1 350
Private Invigilator Admin Fee (Prior Approval Required)R 2 200
Workplace POE Assessments (Learnerships)R 1 800
RPL/Exemption Application FeeR 600
RPL/Exemption Fee per subject (no PoE required)R 475
RPL PoE fee per subject (PoE to be completed)R 1 050
ICB Programme Certificate reprint (incl. domestic postage)R 440
FASSET Certificate reprint (incl. domestic postage)R 440
ICB Programme Certificate reprint (incl. international postage)R 660
FASSET Certificate reprint (incl. international postage)R 660
Certificate resend fee – domesticR 220
Certificate resend fee – internationalR 580
IQB SLP Certificate Prints (1–4)R 490
IQB SLP Certificate Prints (5–8)R 750
IQB SLP Certificate Prints (9–12)R 925
Results Transcript (Print & Send)R 180

These fees are set by the ICB for 2025 and can change at any time.These costs cover the official ICB process for your course.

The registration fee and assessment fee are the main ones most students pay. The other fees are only needed if you apply for things like postponements, re-marks, or replacement certificates.

If you are worried about paying all at once, you can ask our course experts about affordable options and payment plans. This way, you can focus on your studies without stressing about money. Explore our flexible fees and request your brochure today. Email us now.

Frequently Asked Questions

ICB is an independent External Examination Body that has been in the education industry since 1931. Their ICB courses are offered through training providers that are registered with them. Matric College is one of the training providers registered with the 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 associated 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 updates on your course
  • Complete your portfolio of evidence (PoE)
    • Write and submit your assignments
    • Complete 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. 

Work Experience Credits 

ICB will ask that you complete a Portfolio of Evidence that they send to you. The results will determine if they can give you credits or not. 

Prior Learning Credits 

You are given credits for prior learning if your previous qualification has the following: 

  • Registered on the NQF 
  • SAQA ID number 
  • NQF Level 
  • Proof of accredited provider e.g DHET

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 course created by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). ICB courses are offered by training providers that are registered with ICB. Matric College is one of the training providers registered with ICB.

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

The pass mark for the ICB exam is 60% overall. This is made up of your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), which counts 30% of your final mark, and your final ICB exam, which counts 70%. You need to pass both components together to achieve the overall 60% required for each subject.

Not all ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) qualifications are diplomas. ICB offers a range of courses from entry-level certificates (NQF Level 3 and 4) to national diplomas (NQF Level 6). To get an ICB diploma, you need to complete the full programme up to NQF Level 6 in your chosen stream, such as Financial Accounting, Business Management, or Office Administration. Lower-level ICB qualifications are certificates or higher certificates, not diplomas.

Yes. ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) qualifications from South Africa can be recognised in the UK, but they are not automatically equivalent to UK qualifications. The South African ICB and the UK ICB are separate organisations. If you want to work or study in the UK, you may need to have your qualification evaluated by Ecctis (UK NARIC) to confirm its UK equivalent. Many UK employers value ICB qualifications, especially in bookkeeping, accounting, and administration, but recognition depends on the organisation or institution.

In the ICB Financial Accounting programme, each subject has something called credits. Credits are like points you earn when you pass a subject. When you collect enough credits, you can get your certificate or diploma.

A Diploma in Financial Accounting is the highest level in the ICB Financial Accounting programme. It gives you advanced skills to work in jobs like financial accountant, tax consultant, or business manager. To get this diploma, you need to pass all the required subjects and exams.

Yes, bookkeepers can do payroll. This means they work out salaries, taxes, and other deductions for employees. They also make sure everyone gets paid the right amount at the right time.

Other Financial Accounting Courses

ICB Junior Bookkeeping National Certificate

ICB National Certificate Junior Bookkeeping

ICB National Certificate Junior Bookkeeping

Read More
ICB Senior Bookkeeping FET Certificate

ICB FET Certificate Senior Bookkeeping

ICB FET Certificate Senior Bookkeeping

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 23, 2022

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