What Subjects Are in ICB Financial Accounting

What Subjects Are in ICB Financial Accounting

If you enjoy working with money and want to help businesses keep track of their income and expenses, then ICB Financial Accounting courses are a great choice. These courses teach you how to manage accounts, work with taxes, and create financial reports.

If you enjoy working with money and want to help businesses keep track of their income and expenses, then ICB Financial Accounting courses are a great choice. These courses teach you how to manage accounts, work with taxes, and create financial reports. This guide will show you what subjects are in ICB financial accounting and what to expect before signing up.

Financial Accounting Course

Financial accounting is about keeping records of the money a business earns and spends. The ICB Financial Accounting courses teach you how to track business transactions, calculate taxes, and create financial reports.

There are four courses, and each one helps you learn more as you go.

Each course has different subjects that help you understand how businesses manage their money. The table below shows what you will study at each level.

Interested in a career in finance? Our ICB Financial Accounting courses give you the skills you need to work in bookkeeping, tax, and financial management. Contact us today and start learning the skills that will set you up for success!

CourseSubjectsWhat You Will Learn
Junior Bookkeeper (ICB National Certificate)Bookkeeping to Trial BalanceUnderstand how to record money earned and spent by a business.
Payroll and Monthly SARS ReturnsLearn how to handle salaries and taxes for employees.
Computerised BookkeepingUse accounting software like Pastel and Microsoft Word.
Business LiteracyWork with percentages, fractions, and graphs to understand money better.
Certified Senior Bookkeeper (ICB Certificate)Financial StatementsLearn how to create business reports that show profit and loss.
Cost and Management AccountingUnderstand business costs, budgets, and financial planning.
Technical Financial Accounting (ICB National Diploma)Income Tax ReturnsLearn how to calculate and submit tax returns for businesses.
Business Law and Accounting ControlUnderstand the rules and laws businesses must follow when managing money.
Certified Financial Accounting (ICB National Diploma)Corporate StrategyLearn how companies plan for growth and success.
Management Accounting Control SystemsUnderstand how businesses make financial decisions to increase profits.
Research Theory and PracticeLearn how to study and analyse financial data to help businesses succeed.

Each level builds on the one before it, so you start with basic bookkeeping and move up to advanced accounting and financial management.

How Many Years To Study Financial Accounting?

The length of time needed depends on the level you choose. Here’s how long each course takes:

  • Junior Bookkeeper (National Certificate) – About 16 months
  • Certified Senior Bookkeeper (ICB Certificate) – About 24 months
  • Technical Financial Accounting (ICB National Diploma) – About 28 months
  • Certified Financial Accounting (ICB National Diploma) – About 36 months

You can study at your own pace, so if you need more time, that’s no problem.

Entry Requirements

To study ICB Financial Accounting, you need to meet the following entry requirements:

  • Junior Bookkeeper – Grade 10 or an equivalent qualification.
  • Certified Senior Bookkeeper – Completion of the ICB National Certificate in Bookkeeping.
  • Technical Financial Accounting – Completion of the FET Certificate in Bookkeeping.
  • Certified Financial Accounting – Completion of the ICB National Diploma in Technical Financial Accounting.

All courses are taught in English, so students must be able to read and write in the language.

What Subjects Do I Need To Study Financial Accounting?

There are no specific school subjects you must take before studying Financial Accounting. But if you’re still in school, some subjects can make the course easier to understand. Let’s take a look at them:

  • Mathematics – Helps with calculations and problem-solving.
  • Accounting – Gives you a basic understanding of financial records.
  • Business Studies – Teaches you about how businesses work.
  • Economics – Helps you understand how money moves in the economy.

While these subjects aren’t required, they give you a head start in financial accounting.

Want to work in finance and gain skills that businesses need? Our ICB Financial Accounting courses will help you build a strong career. Contact us today and start your journey in accounting!

Accounting is all about working with numbers, and maths plays a big role in the job. In the next section, we’ll look at What subjects are in ICB Financial Accounting: All About Mathematics.

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What Subjects Are In ICB Financial Accounting: All About Mathematics

Maths is a big part of financial accounting. It helps you keep track of money, calculate profits, and make smart business decisions. 

If you’re thinking about studying ICB Financial Accounting, you might wonder how much maths you need and if you can still do accounting without being great at maths.

This section answers those questions and shows you why understanding numbers is important in accounting

What Maths Do You Need For Financial Accounting?

You don’t need to be a maths expert to study financial accounting. The maths used in accounting is simple and practical. You’ll use it to add up money, work out percentages, and check if a business is making a profit.

Here are some of the maths skills you’ll use:

  • Adding and subtracting – Helps track income and expenses.
  • Multiplying and dividing – Used to calculate profits, wages, and tax.
  • Percentages – Important for VAT, interest rates, and discounts.
  • Fractions and ratios – Help compare numbers in financial reports.
  • Basic formulas – Used to create budgets and check business performance.

In the ICB Financial Accounting courses, you’ll learn all the maths you need in subjects like Business Literacy, Financial Statements, and Cost Accounting. These subjects will help you understand financial reports and manage money without needing complicated maths.

Can I Study Accounting Without Maths?

Yes, you can! You don’t need advanced maths to study ICB Financial Accounting. The course teaches you all the maths you need, so even if you’re not confident with numbers, you can still succeed.

If you’re still in school, taking Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy will help, but it’s not required. The course will guide you through working with money, calculating taxes, and reading financial reports.

Even if maths wasn’t your favourite subject, accounting is more about understanding patterns and solving problems. The course breaks everything down into simple steps so you can build your skills and feel confident working with numbers.

Want to build a future in finance? Our ICB Financial Accounting courses will teach you everything you need to know—even if maths isn’t your strongest skill. Contact us today and start your journey towards a successful accounting career!

Maths is part of financial accounting, but you don’t need to be a maths genius to succeed. The ICB courses teach you the basic skills needed to handle business finances. With the right training, you’ll learn how to work with money, read financial reports, and grow your career in accounting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, financial accounting is a great job choice! It offers many job opportunities and a steady income. Companies need accountants to help them track their money and make smart decisions. With an ICB Financial Accounting qualification, you can work in different industries or even start your own business.

In South Africa, financial accountants can earn different amounts based on their experience. A beginner accountant might make about R180,000 per year, and those with more experience can earn over R500,000 per year. The more you learn and grow in your job, the more money you can make.

With an ICB Financial Accounting qualification, you can work as a bookkeeper, payroll officer, tax consultant, or accountant. Many businesses need people who are good with money and can help with planning. As you get more experience, you can move up to higher-paying jobs.

The cost of studying ICB Accounting depends on the course level and the school you choose. You’ll need to pay for registration, exams, and study materials. To find out the exact prices, talk to someone who can help explain the costs and payment options.

Financial accounting can be easy to learn if you take it one step at a time. ICB courses start with simple bookkeeping and then go to harder topics. With practice and support, you can learn how to manage money and do well in accounting.

Last Updated: 22 September 2025

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Claire Van Rooy
Hi, I’m Claire Van Rooy, the SEO Administrator at Skills Academy. I spend my days making sure our content is easy to find, helpful to read, and built around what students really need. I love the challenge of turning data and strategy into content that makes a real impact. I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing, and I’ve never stopped learning. Whether it’s exploring a new topic, refining a piece of content, or digging into the latest SEO trends, I’m all in. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, definitely a workaholic, and a creative at heart.

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