What Can I Do With ICB Qualifications?

Many students ask, “What can I do with ICB Qualifications?” The answer is—quite a lot! These qualifications are designed to equip you with real-world skills that are in demand across various industries.

If you’re looking for a practical and respected qualification that opens doors in the business world, then ICB courses are a great place to start. Many students ask, “What can I do with ICB Qualifications?” The answer is—quite a lot! These qualifications are designed to equip you with real-world skills that are in demand across various industries.

The ICB offers qualifications under the following study programmes:

ICB Business Management

With this programme will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to run and manage a business. You will learn a bit about everything that makes up a business. Every aspect that makes a business function profitably. Here is what you will learn:

  • Business management 
  • Financial management
  • Legal practice
  • Human resource
  • Computer skills
  • Ecommerce
  • Global business

ICB Office Administration

Under the Office Administration Programme,  you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge of how to efficiently run a business office. With this programme, you will be able to in any organisation or department. You will also be introduced to how to keep the books of accounts.  

ICB Financial Accounting

With the Financial Accounting Programme, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting. You will learn the following:

  • Bookkeeping
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial management
  • Income tax
  • PAYE
  • Reporting standards
  • Corporate strategy

Which Qualifications Are Offered By The ICB?

Confident student working on a laptop in a modern office space, reflecting on the question: What can I do with ICB Qualifications?

Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate

Study Further

After completing the Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate  qualification, you can continue with  this programme by completing the following courses:

  • Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
  • Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate qualification, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Administrator
  • Human Resources Clerk
  • Sales Assistant
  • Junior Bookkeeper
  • Customer Care Assistant
  • Office Manager

Office Administration - Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following course:

  • Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate

qualification here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Senior Office Administrator
  • Secretary
  • Human Resources Administrator
  • Labour Relations Officer
  • Office Manager

Financial Accounting - Business Management: ICB National Diploma

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study other ICB programmes or study with other bodies like CIMA and ACCA where you can get exemptions. 

Look For Employment Opportunities

With the Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Office Administrator
  • Human Resource Administrator 
  • Office Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Finance Administrator
  • Marketing Administrator

Office Administration: ICB National Certificate

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following courses:

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

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Office Administration: ICB National Certificate qualification here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Front Office Clerk
  • Office Clerk
  • Junior Administrator
  • Human Resources Assistant
  • Receptionist

Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following course:

  • Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate qualification, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Senior Office Administrator
  • Secretary  
  • Office Manager
  • Human Resources Administrator
  • Labour Relations Administrator
  • Office Manager
  • Office Administration Assistant

Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study other ICB programmes or study with other bodies like CIMA and ACCA where you can get exemptions. 

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Office Administration: ICB National Diploma qualification here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Secretary  
  • Office Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Labour Relations Administrator
  • General Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Administration Manager

Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following courses:

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

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following courses:

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

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate qualification, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Junior Bookkeeper
  • Accounts Clerk
  • Reconciliation clerk
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Accounts Clerk
  • Accounts Assistant

Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following courses:

  • Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
  • Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate qualification, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Senior Bookkeeper
  • Junior Accountant
  • Assistant Accountant
  • Credit Controller
  • Account clerk
  • Payroll clerk

Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study this programme further by completing the following course:

  • Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this  Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma qualification, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

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

Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

Here is what you can do with this ICB Qualification:

  • Study further
  • Look for employment opportunities

Study Further

After completing this qualification, you can study other ICB programmes or study with other bodies like CIMA and ACCA where you can get exemptions. 

Look For Employment Opportunities

With this Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma qualification, here are some of the careers that you can consider:

  • Financial Accountant
  • Tax Practitioner 
  • Tax Consultant
  • Management Accountant
  • Assistant Manager
  • Accounting Officer 

How Hard Are ICB Courses?

ICB Courses can be very easy to study. Here are a few tips that you can follow:

  • Set up a realistic study timetable
  • Stick to your study timetable
  • Make sure where you study is peaceful and comfortable
  • Read widely
  • Prepare for your assignments well
  • Write your assignments and tests in time
  • Always interact with your tutor
  • Ask questions
  • Prepare for your exams well in advance
  • Get exam tips from matric College
  • Write your exams
  • Pass your exams 
  • Receive your certificate from FASSET

Are ICB courses recognised?

Yes, ICB Courses are recognised. The following recognise ICB Courses:

  • Employers
    • Local and international
  • Accreditors
    • SAQA – South African Qualification Authority
    • QCTO – Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
    • ICB – Institute of Certified Bookkeeper
    • DHET – Department of Higher Education and Training
  • Other professional bodies
    • 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
    • SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Practitioners
    • SAIBA – South African Institute Of Business Accountants

People Also Ask

To pass an ICB subject, you need to get at least 60% overall. This mark is made up of two parts:

  • Formative Assessment (Portfolio of Evidence): This includes assignments and tests you do during the course, and it counts 30% of your final mark.
  • Final ICB Exam: This is written at an ICB exam centre and counts 70% of your final mark.

So, even if you do really well in your coursework, you still need to do well in your final exam to pass.

Yes, the ICB qualification is a great option, especially if you want to work in business, finance, or bookkeeping. Here’s why:

  • Nationally and internationally recognised: ICB courses are accredited by QCTO and are recognised by employers in South Africa and beyond.
  • Career focused: The courses teach real-world skills you can use in a job right away.
  • Flexible: You can study full-time, part-time, or even from home.
  • Pathway to further studies: You can start with a basic certificate and move up to a diploma.

In short, ICB qualifications open many doors for employment and further education.



Yes, you can study ICB without Matric! The ICB has an open-entry system for many of their courses. You can start with the:

  • ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF Level 3) — This is their entry-level course, and you only need Grade 10 or equivalent.

From there, you can move up through the ICB levels. Even if you didn’t finish school, ICB gives you a second chance to get a valuable qualification and build a career.

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 13, 2022