Bookkeeping is a great career path for those who love finance. It is one of the most flexible finance jobs in the industry, as you can work from home or in an office. Here is how to become a bookkeeper and bring your passion for numbers to life.
How Do I Become A Certified Bookkeeper In South Africa?
If this is the career you want to pursue, you are in luck. There is no fuss or frill attached to becoming a certified bookkeeper in South Africa. Keep in mind that the job market is tight, but if you follow the simple steps below, you could be on the path to a successful career as a bookkeeper.
- Have at least Grade 10
- Study an accredited bookkeeping course
- Find an internship/entry-level job
- Join a professional membership body
Have At Least Grade 10
Yes, you read that right. You do not have to finish school to become a bookkeeper in South Africa. However, most programmes, such as ICB Courses require you to at least finish Grade 10 before enrolling with them.
Study An Accredited Bookkeeping Course
The best way to learn the skills you need is to study an accredited Bookkeeping Course. A qualification will look great on your CV and encourage recruiters to hire you. Completing a course also increases the trust clients have in you, because it shows that you have what it takes to get the job done.
Find An Internship/Entry-Level Job
As soon as you finish your studies, you can apply for an entry-level job or an internship. A lot of learning takes place on the job. So your work experience can pave the way for you to learn from people who are more knowledgeable in your field. You can gain a group of professionals to help you gain relevant, up-to-date skills in the industry.
Join A Professional Membership Body
Once you graduate from ICB courses, you can join professional membership bodies. This step is optional, but it can really set you up with the opportunities you need to succeed. These professional memberships offer you ongoing support throughout your career. Some of the organisations you can join include:
- SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Professionals
- SAIBA – South African Institute of Business Accountants
- IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers
- IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals
How Do I Become A Bookkeeper From Home?
The best way to become a bookkeeper from home is to study via distance learning. This method of studying has no classes and allows you to create a study schedule that works for you. Once you finish your course, you will be qualified to start your own freelance bookkeeping business from home.
What Are The Qualifications Of A Bookkeeper?
Most bookkeepers in South Africa are required to have at least a national certificate in bookkeeping. This qualification is registered at an NQF level 3 or 4, depending on how far you decide to study.
Is A Bookkeeping Certificate Worth It?
If you would like to make a successful career as a bookkeeper, then a bookkeeping certificate is definitely worth it. We know that it is possible to teach yourself the basics of bookkeeping, but without an accredited qualification behind your name, you will not have the same opportunities as those who do.
Can I Become A Bookkeeper With No Qualifications?
You can study bookkeeping with no previous qualifications or work experience in the finance industry.
Can I Become A Bookkeeper Without A Degree?
Yes you can become a bookkeeper without a degree. The ICB bookkeeping programme is a certificate course and equips you with all the skills you need to start your career.
Which Bookkeeping Courses Can I Study?
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) offers two bookkeeping courses for you to study. They are both certificate courses and will equip you with scarce finance skills to help you find a good job.
Please note: ICB is not a college. They are an external exam body. This means that if you want to study their courses, you should study through an accredited ICB training provider.
What Are The ICB Bookkeeping Course Subjects?
The subjects you can expect to learn when you study bookkeeping with ICB are:
- Bookkeeping To Trial Balance
- Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns
- Computerised Bookkeeping
- Business Literacy
- Financial Statements
- Cost and Management Accounting
What Are The Entry Requirements To Study Bookkeeping?
All you need to study ICB bookkeeping courses are to be at least 16 years old, have Grade 10 and have a good understanding of the English language. ICB prides themselves on having simple entry requirements so that everyone has the opportunity to study further and get one step closer to their dream job.
How Long Does It Take To Learn To Be A Bookkeeper?
The ICB junior bookkeeping course is 12 months long, whereas the senior bookkeeping course takes an additional six months. This means that in just 18 months, you can be a qualified professional. Since bookkeeping is a certificate level qualification, it does not take as long to complete as diploma or degree programmes.
Do You Need Maths To Study Bookkeeping?
The good news is that you do not need maths to study bookkeeping. There are no specific school subjects required before you enrol in this course. But if you enjoy maths, it will make this course easier and more pleasant to study.
What Skills Should A Bookkeeper Have?
To become a good bookkeeper, you need a combination of both hard and soft skills to help you succeed. Knowing what skills you need will help you prepare for your future career, and also gives you insight into what to put on your CV. Some of the skills you need include:
- Problem-Solving
- Numeracy Skills
- Attention To Detail
- Computer Skills
- Organisation
- Communication
- Honesty and Integrity
Problem-Solving
Sometimes the numbers will not all add up. It might not always be your fault, it could happen that companies will hire you to fix their books. As a bookkeeper, it is your job to find where the errors are and then correct them.
Numeracy Skills
There is no need to have been an A-student in high school maths to succeed in your future bookkeeping career. You will learn all the numeracy skills you need during your studies. But it is important to pay good attention to the maths-focused subjects, because this will form the foundation for your career in this field. If you did not do well in high school maths, this is a great second chance to redeem yourself and ace your studies.
Attention To Detail
A bookkeeper’s work always has to be accurate. Any mistakes can lead to miscalculations and errors in a company’s financial records. Having attention to detail will help you keep an eye out for mistakes and work carefully from start to finish.
Computer Skills
With all the new technology in the industry, it is highly unlikely that you will still be using traditional tools to complete your duties. There is now software that will help make your job a lot easier. But you need to have good computer skills to be able to use it correctly.
Organisation
You need to have good organisational skills to help you plan and prioritise your work for the day, weeks or months ahead. This is a handy skill that will help you keep track of everything you still need to complete. Luckily, there are many ways to learn good organising habits, including studying a short course to help you out.
Communication
Since you will be in charge of keeping track of a company’s finances, you will have to report back on the work you did. This is why good communication skills will come in handy. You need to be able to discuss your work professionally with both clients and your colleagues.
Honesty And Integrity
Managing a company’s finances is a big deal. Clients trust you to keep their information confidential and to do your job to the best of your ability. You should take pride in your job and protect your clients’ interests at all times. If you do not, you could face serious consequences.
What Are A Bookkeeper’s Duties?
A bookkeeper has a wide variety of daily duties, so you will never be bored on the job. Some of these include:
- Creating financial statements
- Processing payments
- Preparing trial balances
- Creating different accounts according to a client’s needs
- Creating and monitoring a company’s budget
- Processing payroll
- Making sure a company is ready for tax season
- Ensuring that a company’s financial records are in line with the country’s laws
- Performing a company’s basic banking duties.
What Are The Five Basic Accounts In Bookkeeping?
The basic accounts in bookkeeping are made up of:
- Assets
- Expenses
- Liabilities
- Income
- Equity
These accounts play a very important role as they give a full picture of how healthy a business’ finances are. Separating all the finances also helps a bookkeeper stay organised and keep track of their work.
What Is The Difference Between A Bookkeeper And An Accountant?
Bookkeepers tend to focus on the basic daily finance duties of a company. Accountants, on the other hand, are more focused on a company’s long-term financial goals. But sometimes there are many overlapping duties between bookkeepers and accountants, it all depends on the company’s needs. Small businesses might hire bookkeepers to do a few accounting duties too.
Is Bookkeeping The Right Career For Me?
If you love numbers and want to experience a career in finance, bookkeeping is an excellent place to start. No two days are the same, every day offers new exciting challenges that give you the opportunity to show off your skills and provide valuable services to others.
Is There A High Demand For Bookkeepers?
Yes, bookkeepers are in demand. Every business needs to keep track of its finances, but this is not easy to do, especially when there are so many other tasks to complete. So it is best for them to hire a professional (AKA future-you) to help them out.
Are Bookkeepers In Demand In South Africa?
Since bookkeeping falls under the finance industry, it is considered to be a scarce skill. This means that there are not enough skilled workers available, so the demand for people who can do this job is high.
What Types Of Finance Jobs Can I Pursue?
There are so many finance jobs available to you, and bookkeeping is just one of them. Please keep in mind that these careers may require you to have a few more qualifications other than a bookkeeping certificate. Although bookkeeping is a great way to enter the finance industry.
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Accountant
- Bookkeeper
- Securities Trader
- Management Accountant
- Auditor
- Financial Manager
- Payroll Clerk
- Tax Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Financial Advisor
How Much Do Bookkeepers Earn In South Africa?
According to Payscale, an entry-level bookkeeper in South Africa can expect to earn an average of R103 298 a year.
What Is The Hourly Rate For Bookkeepers In South Africa?
Bookkeepers in South Africa can charge between R36 – R253 an hour. This amount depends on how much experience you have and also the city you live in. Major cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg tend to pay more than small towns.
If you are ready to register for ICB Bookkeeping Courses, look no further than Skills Academy. We are an accredited ICB training provider. Our lecturers and tutors are highly qualified and always go the extra mile to ensure that you pass your course will flying colours. If you need more information, feel free to contact our friendly course experts.
To read more about what to expect when studying with ICB, browse through a few of our related articles below:
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Frequently Asked Questions
No you do not need matric to study bookkeeping. All you need is Grade 10 and a good understanding of English.
These professionals both have different skill sets, so it is not easy to compare the two. But bookkeepers are focused more on keeping track of a company’s daily finances, whereas accountants have to analyse what this financial data means for a company’s future.
Yes, you can make a very good living off of bookkeeping. And the best part is that you can work from home or for a big company at their office.
Accountants make more money since they have to study for a longer period of time. They are also required to have diplomas or degree qualifications, whereas bookkeepers can become qualified with just a certificate.
A few of the highest-paying accounting jobs include:
- Chartered Accountant
- Chief Financial Officer
- Finance Manager
- Audit Manager
- Management Accountant
Bookkeepers and junior accountants are two of the most entry-level accounting jobs.
