ICB NQF accredited qualifications are your key to starting a successful career in Financial Accounting, Business Management, or Office Administration. The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) has been offering courses in South Africa since 1931. So you can rest assured that the skills you gain with them meet high standards and stand the test of time.
What Are The ICB NQF Levels Equivalent To?
Since ICB programmes are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), each course has its own NQF Level. The table below shows which course falls under which level. Keep in mind that you have to start from the lower levels and work your way up.
NQF Level 3 | NQF Level 4 | NQF Level 5 | NQF Level 6 |
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Is NQF Level 5 A Diploma?
No, an NQF Level 5 is a higher certificate qualification. If you choose to study further to an NQF Level 6, you will receive a national diploma.
Is ICB NQF Level 5 Equivalent To Matric?
No, an ICB NQF Level 5 is one level higher than matric. A matric certificate is equivalent to an NQF Level 4. But if you do not have matric, you can study toward a matric equivalent qualification through ICB.
How Long Is an NQF Level 5?
This depends on what you are studying. If you are enrolled for ICB courses, it will take you between 6 -18 months to complete each level. Here is a breakdown of each ICB NQF Level 5 course:
- Technical Financial Accounting – 6 months
- Higher Certificate in Business Management – 15 months
- National Certificate in Office Administration – 18 months
- Higher Certificate in Office Administration – 9 months
Are ICB Courses Accredited?
Yes ICB Courses are accredited, and every college that offers ICB courses has to be accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) too.
Who Accredits ICB Courses?
ICB courses are accredited by the NQF. ICB is also a quality assurance partner for the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). This means that they help the QCTO manage exams to ensure that they meet the standards set by the NQF.
Are ICB Qualifications Recognised?
ICB qualifications are recognised nationally and internationally. So when you study with them, you can be sure that the skills you gain will be suitable for the job market in South Africa and abroad.
Which Bookkeeping Course Is Internationally Recognised?
The Bookkeeping Courses offered by ICB are internationally recognised. It is the perfect programme for students with no previous knowledge or experience in accounting. Here you will gain the foundation you need to start a successful career.
What Are The Benefits Of Studying Accredited Courses?
Accredited courses are designed to fill the shortage of skills a country might have. This means that when you study accredited courses, you stand a better chance of finding a job. Other reasons include:
- Your qualifications are credible
- Join professional memberships
- Easier to study further
- Looks great on your CV
- Boosts your career
Your Qualifications Are Credible
When recruiters look at your job application, and it shows that you have studied an accredited course, they are more likely to hire you. This is because they are able to verify your qualification and be sure that the skills you gained equip you to do the job.
Join Professional Memberships
Graduating from ICB courses open up the world of professional memberships to you. These organisations offer amazing opportunities to help take your career to the next level. But before you can join them, you must prove that you studied a relevant accredited course.
Easier To Study Further
If you would like to study another course, or if you want to change training providers, an accredited course makes it easier to transfer your credits. This is because the college you will study with next can easily check that your qualifications are valid and match the course you want to study.
Looks Great On Your CV
Your CV is the first impression future employers have of you, and graduating from an accredited course is no small feat. It shows that you are committed to learning the skills you need to complete your duties at your job.
Boosts Your Career
If you want to get ahead in your field, studying further is the best way to gain up-to-date knowledge of your industry. Get in line for a promotion when you study ICB NQF accredited qualifications.
Does It Matter If A Course Is Accredited?
Well that depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you want to break into an industry with a competitive job market, an accredited course is one of the best ways to get your CV to the top of the pile. If you simply want to learn a new skill in a short amount of time, non-accredited courses are great.
How Do You Know If A Course Is Accredited?
If you want to know if a course is accredited, you can simply ask the institution you want to study with. They should be able to produce an accreditation number for both their institution and the course you want to study. Each ICB course has a unique SAQA ID number that you can search online to make sure it exists. For example, the ICB financial accounting diploma’s ID number is 20366.
Is Skills Academy Accredited?
Yes! Skills Academy is an accredited institution. Our ICB accreditation number is 300830. As a registered training provider, we provide you with the ultimate support and guidance to help you pass your course with flying colours.
What Happens If A Course Is Not Accredited?
It is important to note that short courses do not have to be accredited. Non-accredited courses are courses created by colleges themselves and are referred to as skills-based programmes. They are great for boosting your knowledge in a particular field. Before you enrol for a course, you should check if it is accredited or not. But if you suspect that a college is pretending to offer accredited courses, you can report them to SAQA.
Is ICB Recognised In South Africa?
Yes, ICB is recognised in South Africa. Their courses offer scarce skill qualifications to meet the demands of the South African job market.
What Can I Do With An ICB Qualification?
There are many opportunities with ICB qualifications. You can kickstart your career in a field of your choice, or you can study further and get another qualification. It is all up to you and the goals you want to achieve.
Can I Get A Job With An ICB Certificate?
Yes you can get a job with an ICB certificate. Some of the jobs you can get include:
- Payroll Clerk
- Receptionist
- Financial Analyst
- Personal Assistant
- Office Administrator
- Sales Manager
- Business Manager
- Financial Accountant
Which ICB Courses Can I Study?
ICB offers three main programmes. These are:
- Bookkeeping and Financial Accounting Courses
- Business Management Courses
- Office Administration Courses
Bookkeeping And Financial Accounting
This is your foundation for all things finance related. Here you will learn subjects such as bookkeeping to trial balance, income tax returns, business literacy and more.
- Junior Bookkeeper Course
- Certified Senior Bookkeeping Course
- Technical Financial Accounting Diploma
- National Diploma in Certified Financial Accounting
Business Management Courses
Gain an introduction to the business industry and learn management skills that will set you apart from the crowd. These courses take a total of 36 months and lead you to an NQF Level 6, which is a national diploma.
- Certificate in Small Business Financial Management
- Higher Certificate in Business Management
- National Diploma in Business Management
Office Administration Courses
This programme is unique because it teaches you both bookkeeping and admin skills. This is sure to make you an asset to any company, as you will have a variety of skills. In just 36 months, you will gain 360 credits and an accredited national diploma.
- National Certificate in Office Administration
- Higher Certificate in Office Administration
- National Diploma in Office Administration
What Are The Entry Requirements For ICB Courses?
ICB prides itself on not having strict entry requirements for its courses. Take a look at what you need to enrol for each course below:
Bookkeeping Courses – You must have completed grade 10 and be at least 16 years old.
Accounting Courses – Successful completion of the ICB Bookkeeping course
Business Management Courses – Grade 11
Office Administration Courses – Grade 12
What Can I Study After ICB?
You can study a different ICB programme. The great thing about ICB courses is that they have overlapping subjects. So if you continue your studies, your next qualification will not take as long to achieve.
What Is The ICB Pass Rate?
ICB boasts quite a successful pass rate. More than 25 000 students have successfully completed ICB programmes in the last five years.
What Are ICB Exemptions?
You can get ICB exemptions for studying a similar course, or for related work experience. These are credits that allow you to study a course without starting from scratch. Exemptions prevent you from re-learning information that you already know.
Can I Get An ICB Degree?
No, ICB does not offer degrees. Their courses only go up to the national diploma level. Diploma qualifications are great because they are designed to meet the requirements of the South African job market. So you still stand a good chance of becoming employed, even if you do not have a degree qualification.
If you are ready to start studying ICB courses, you can enrol with us today. All you need to do is chat with our friendly course experts. To read more about ICB, check out a few of our related articles below:
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ICB student portal is your go-to platform for managing your studies with ICB. You can use it to:
- Register for ICB Courses
- Book an exam
- Check your exam results
- Update your personal information
- And more
No you cannot study directly through ICB. This is because they are not a college. If you want to study an ICB course, you should register with an accredited training provider.
You can study ICB Courses via distance learning with:
- Skills Academy
- Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
- Matric College
The ICB financial accounting programmes are registered at NQF Levels 5 and 6
Since they are not a college, ICB only charges for registration and exam fees. You will pay course fees to the college you study with, so it is best to get in touch with them and ask about their fees.
