Studying with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) offers many benefits. One of them includes ICB professional membership opportunities. These are exclusive organisations you can join to help you throughout your career.
What Is A Professional Membership Body?
A professional membership body is a not-for-profit organisation whose members are all part of the same profession. They have similar knowledge, interests and skill sets. Each membership body has its own entry requirements and standards to help meet its professional goals. These organisations help maintain the reputation of certain professions.
Which ICB Professional Memberships Can I Join?
Once you graduate from your ICB programme, there are a number of exclusive professional membership bodies you can join. Some of them are based in South Africa, while others are based abroad. Joining them means that you could increase your opportunities for finding a job in a different country.
- IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers
- IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals
- SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Professionals
- SAIBA – Southern African Institute for Business Accountants
IAB
If you want to take your bookkeeping career to the next level, IAB membership is the way to go. A few of the benefits you can look forward to include being able to use a special title, free access to a helpline where you can ask for job advice, and exclusive networking groups where you can receive support.
IAAP
The International Association of Accounting Professionals offers support for finance professionals all over the world. When you join them as a member, you can be part of an exclusive global network. This network will boost your job opportunities and allow you to negotiate a good salary.
SAIT
The South African Institute of Taxation is aimed at those who want to make a career as a tax professional. As a SAIT member, you will have access to benefits such as professional insurance worth up to R5 million, as well as a commissioner of oaths title and invitations to exclusive events.
SAIBA
This proudly local organisation allows you to join them as a member if you have an ICB NQF Level 6 qualification. There are different membership levels to support you at specific stages throughout your career. You do not need any work experience to get started with them.
Why Should You Join A Professional Membership Body?
Professional membership bodies offer many benefits, but you might be wondering if it is worth the membership fees you have to pay. We say that it is definitely worth it. The job market is very competitive. So being part of an exclusive network can give you the competitive edge you need to land an interview. A few other advantages include:
- Shows employers and clients that you are more than qualified to do your job.
- Helps you get recognised in your industry.
- Ensures that you stay up-to-date with any changes in your industry.
- Get professional advice from experts in your field.
- Gain access to exclusive job opportunities.
- Attend networking events globally.
- Meet people from all around the world who are as passionate about the industry as you are.
Is The ICBA Closing?
Unfortunately, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants (ICBA) closed in December 2021. They closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but this does not affect your studies with ICB. ICBA was a professional membership organisation, whereas ICB is an external exam body. You can still enrol for courses, and your previous qualifications are still as valid and prestigious as they were before.
How Do I Become A Member Of ICB?
Since ICBA has been discontinued, it is not possible to be a direct ICB member in South Africa. However, you are free to use your ICB qualifications to join other membership bodies. But if you are thinking about working overseas, you can become a direct ICB member in the United Kingdom. You can join them with exemptions or as a student.
What Can I Do With An ICB Qualification?
The windows of opportunity are wide open with your ICB qualification. You will have all the skills you need to start a successful career in a wide variety of fields. Some of the jobs you can pursue include:
- Bookkeeper
- Financial Accountant
- Business Manager
- Office Administrator
- Office Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Accounting Technician
- Accounting Assistant
- Payroll Clerk
- Project Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- And so much more.
But if you thoroughly enjoyed your studies, you can go ahead and study another ICB programme to earn another qualification. Their courses are designed to have overlapping subjects so that your next qualification will not take as long to achieve as your first.
Which ICB Courses Can I Study?
There are three ICB Courses to choose from. Each one is based in a different industry, so you are sure to find one that suits your interests. The three programmes are:
- Bookkeeping and Financial Accounting Courses
- Business Management Courses
- Office Administration Courses
Bookkeeping And Accounting Courses
These courses are the perfect starting point for people who have no previous experience but want to make a career in the finance field. You can start with the Bookkeeping Courses and work your way up to a national diploma in financial accounting.
- Junior Bookkeeper Course
- Certified Senior Bookkeeping Course
- Technical Financial Accounting Diploma
- National Diploma in Certified Financial Accounting
Business Management Courses
Become the business mogul you were meant to be with ICB’s Business Management Courses. In just 36 months, you can learn skills such as business literacy, financial reporting, business management, office and legal practice and much more.
- Certificate in Small Business Financial Management
- Higher Certificate in Business Management
- National Diploma in Business Management
Office Administration Courses
If you want to learn top-tier admin skills along with basic bookkeeping as an added bonus, this is the course for you. Become an all-rounder and the valuable asset every office needs to thrive. Once you complete this course, you will have an NQF Level 6 diploma in Office Administration.
- National Certificate in Office Administration
- Higher Certificate in Office Administration
- National Diploma in Office Administration
How Do I Register As A New ICB Student?
Registering as a new ICB student is quite simple. It all takes place online. All you have to do is:
- Log in to the ICB student portal.
- Click ‘register for a course’.
- Choose the programme you want to study.
- Select the college you will be studying with.
- Confirm your registration.
- Pay your registration fee.
- You can now book your first exam.
How Do I Register At ICB Student Portal?
Follow the simple steps below for details on how to register at the student portal:
- Open the ICB student portal using Google Chrome.
- Click ‘register’.
- Choose a username, and password, and fill in your email address and ID number.
- Click ‘next step’.
- Fill in your information on each page, and click ‘next page’ after each one.
- Once you are done, click ‘submit’.
- You will then receive a confirmation email from ICB, and a notification of success on the portal.
Can I Study Directly Through ICB?
No, you cannot study directly through ICB. This is because they are not a college. ICB is an external exam body. So if you want to study their courses, you have to enrol for them through an accredited training provider.
What Are The Entry Requirements For ICB Programmes?
Each ICB course has its own special entry requirements. Have a look at what they are below so you can plan your studies.
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
When Does Registration For ICB Exams 2025 Close?
The flexible nature of ICB Courses means that the closing dates depend on when you want to write your exams. So browse through the table below for exact dates.
Exam Month | Exam Type | Closing Date |
April 2025 | Online | 28 February 2025 |
May 2025 | Paper | 38 March 2025 |
June 2025 | Online | 25 April 2025 |
July 2025 | Online | 30 May 2025 |
August 2025 | Paper | 27 June 2025 |
September 2025 | Online | 25 July 2025 |
October 2025 | Online | 29 August 2025 |
November 2025 | Paper | 26 September 2025 |
December 2025 | Online | 24 October 2025 |
When Will I Receive My ICB Exam Results?
After you complete your exams, it takes ICB about seven weeks to receive your results. This is because ICB has to ensure that your marks are as accurate as possible. Do not worry though, there are set dates that you can add to your calendar, so you know exactly when they will arrive.
Exam Month | Results Release Dates |
April 2025 | 23 May 2025 |
May 2025 | 20 June 2025 |
June 2025 | 18 July 2025 |
July 2025 | 22 August 2025 |
August 2025 | 19 September 2025 |
September 2025 | 17 October 2025 |
October 2025 | 21 November 2025 |
November 2025 | 19 December 2025 |
December 2025 | 16 January 2026 |
What Are ICB Qualifications Equivalent To?
ICB courses are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Their courses therefore range from an NQF Level 3 – 6.
NQF Level 3 | NQF Level 4 | NQF Level 5 | NQF Level 6 |
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Are ICB Courses Recognised In South Africa?
Yes ICB courses are recognised in South Africa. Many employers prefer to hire ICB-educated staff since these qualifications are so prestigious. ICB qualifications give you the skills you need to complete your duties with ease.
If you would like to start studying ICB courses, you can contact us. We do not have closing dates for registration, so if you would like, you can enrol with us today! Our friendly course experts will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
To read more about ICB, feel free to check out a few of our related articles below:
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need a degree to become a bookkeeper. All you have to do is study an accredited bookkeeping certificate course with ICB. You will then have the skills you need to work as a qualified bookkeeper.
The ICB financial accounting course is what you can study after completing the ICB bookkeeping programme. Here you will learn subjects such as:
- Income Tax Returns
- Business Law and Accounting Control
- Corporate Strategy
- Management Accounting Control Systems
- Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks
- Research Theory and Practice
It is possible for Unisa to recognise your ICB qualifications if you apply through their recognition of prior learning (RPL) system. If they find that the course you want to study matches the skills you gained in your ICB programme, you could qualify for exemptions. This is not an automatic process, you have to apply and wait to see if you have been accepted.
Yes, ICB courses are accredited. They are accredited by the South African Qualifications Framework (SAQA). Each course has a unique SAQA ID number to prove that it is verified.
