The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, better known as the ICB, is an external examination board. They are a Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO). They are a provider of accredited business and accounting qualifications, each with its own set of requirements.
How Did The ICB Start?
The ICB has existed since 1931. Back then they were not only education and training based, but also offered professional membership. These two parts split in 2015 when academic guidelines and laws changed. The professional membership split from ICB to form what is known today as the ICBA or the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants.
Being a QAP of the QCTO means that their courses are also measured on the National Qualifications Framework, which means that if you study a course by them your qualification will be NQF rated with affordable course fees.
What are NQF Levels?
The NQF levels is a way to measure qualifications in South Africa. This means that it is possible to see which courses are more advanced than the next, even if the course is presented by two different entities. For example, Matric is an NQF 4 course, but a Bachelor’s degree is NQF 7 therefore it is easy to see that the degree comes after Matric. The NQF is run by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), which means that any NQF level course has a SAQA ID as a way to say that they passed a test to determine its level and quality.
What are the ICB Courses?
The ICB offers five streams of courses. These are Financial Accounting, Office Administration, and Business Management. Below is a breakdown of these courses and their subjects.
Financial Accounting Programme
This course is aimed at people that want to become an accountant or bookkeeper. It teaches you all the ins and outs of bookkeeping, financial accounting, income tax, financial management, reporting standards, corporate strategy, management accounting, and research.
National Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF 3)
This is the entry level course and takes 12 months to complete. To begin the course you only need Grade 10. The course also assumes that you have no prior accounting knowledge so even beginners can pass this with great success.
- Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
- Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns
- Computerised Bookkeeping
- Business Literacy
The accredited Bookkeeping and Accounting Courses are a great option for students who would like to study an accredited course without a matric certificate. The entry requirement for Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate, the first course in the series is that you need to have grade 10. You will then move on to the Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate course and Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma course.
Further Education and Training Certificate: Bookkeeping (NQF 4)
This is the intermediate level course and takes six months to complete. To begin this course you need to have completed the National Certificate: Bookkeeping.
- Financial Statements
- Cost and Management Accounting
National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting (NQF 5)
This is the upper-intermediate level course and takes six months to complete. The entrance requirement for this course is the Further Education and Training Certificate: Bookkeeping.
- Income Tax Returns
- Business Law and Accounting Control
National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF 6)
This is the advanced level course and takes 12 months to complete. The entrance requirement for this course is the National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting.
- Corporate Strategy
- Management Accounting Control Systems
- Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks
- Research Theory and Practice
Office Administration Programme
This course is perfect for people who wish to gain bookkeeping and office knowledge. This course will give you the skills to be able to work the admin of any department comfortably.
Matric College is an accredited ICB course provider. Distance learning allows you to study ICB Office Administration online. Matric College provides you with the most up-to-date syllabus, from registration to writing your ICB exams online. They provide National Certificate, Higher Certificate, and Diploma Level Office Administration Courses.
Certificate: Office Administration (NQF 5)
This is the entry level course and will take 18 months to complete. The entrance requirement for this course is Matric or equivalent.
- Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
- Business Literacy
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Business & Office Administration 1
- Marketing Management and Public Relations
- Business Law and Administrative Practice
Higher Certificate: Office Administration (NQF 5)
This is the intermediate level course and will take nine months to complete. The entrance requirement for this course is the Certificate: Office Administration.
- Business & Office Administration 2
- HR Management and Labour Relations
- Economics
Diploma: Office Administration (NQF 6)
This is the advanced level course and will take nine months to complete. The entrance requirement for this course is the Higher Certificate: Office Administration.
- Financial Statements
- Business and Office Administration 3
- Management
Business Management Programme
This is perfect for anyone who wants to manage businesses and understand their finances. This will teach you everything you need to know.
National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management (NQF 4)
This is the entry level course and will take you nine months to complete. The entrance requirement is Grade 11.
- Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
- Business Literacy
- Business Management 1
Higher Certificate: Office Administration (NQF 5)
This is the intermediate level course and will take you 15 months to complete. The entrance requirement is the National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management.
- Financial Statements
- Marketing Management and Public Relations
- HR Management and Labour Relations
- Office and Legal Practice
- Business Management 2
Business management courses are a great option for accredited ICB Courses. The ICB Business Management National Certificate Course is the first in the program, followed by the ICB Business Management Higher Certificate and finally the ICB Business Management Diploma Course. These courses will equip you with qualifications in a Scarce Skill, making you a more desirable candidate for employers to hire.
National Diploma: Financial Accounting (NQF 6)
This is the advanced level course and will take you 12 months to complete. The entrance requirement is the Higher Certificate: Office Administration.
- Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks
- Research Theory and Practice
- Business Management 3
- Financial Management and Control
ICB Course Fees
It’s easy to get started with an ICB course once you know what it costs. You pay a once-off yearly fee to register, and then you pay for each subject you want to do. The table below shows you the most common ICB fees for 2025, so you know what to expect.
|
ICB Course Fees |
ICB Course Cost |
|
Annual Registration Fee |
R 500 |
|
Assessment Fee per Subject |
R 915 |
|
Total Entry for 2 Subjects (2025 Example) |
R 2 330 |
|
Assessment Postponement Fee |
R 375 |
|
Late Entry Fee |
R 585 |
|
Re-mark and Examiner Report |
R 1 350 |
|
Private Invigilator Fee |
R 2 200 |
|
Workplace PoE Assessment |
R 1 800 |
These are the most important fees you need to know. You only pay the registration fee once a year. Then you choose how many subjects you want to do and pay per subject. If something changes or you need to redo something, there might be extra fees.
ICB Timetable 2025
Planning your ICB exams is simple when you know the timetable. You get to choose when to write during the year, as there are many exam dates available. Make sure to book early and check your dates so you don’t miss your exam.
Why Study an ICB Course?
ICB online courses has no shortage of advantages. The first advantage is that you can have your first accredited qualification in as little as 16 months.
The second advantage is that the courses are accredited, but also recognised internationally. The third advantage is that you have the opportunity of registering and joining a professional body for professional membership.
You can register with the ICBA, South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT), The South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA), International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB), and International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP).
How do I Register?
The ICB do not present their own courses but only do the exams. They have several training providers that take care of the rest.
One such ICB accredited training provider is Skills Academy. To start an ICB course you first have to register with the training provider of your choice. After this you register on the ICB Student Portal for your course with your new ICB login.
After this step you will be mailed your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). Your PoE consists of three assignments and two tests to be completed at home and handed in when you write your exam.
You also register yourself for your exams on the Learner Portal. Here you choose a date and venue that suits you best.
You can apply right now to do your ICB Course at Matric College. They offer ICB Courses online via distance learning in English. You will be able to study with them anywhere in South Africa to achieve your academic goals.
Matric College makes learning easy! They offer an improved educational experience with exceptional attention to their students.
- You can study from home
- We offer individual help
- We have caring staff
- We are easy to connect with
Complete your ICB registration now and start studying!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ICB means the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. It is a group that helps people study and get jobs in business, finance, and office work. The ICB works with colleges and gives recognised certificates and diplomas.
Yes, some ICB courses are diplomas. There are different levels, like certificates and diplomas, depending on how far you go. If you finish all the levels in a study stream, you can get an ICB National Diploma.
ICB courses start at NQF Level 3 and go up to Level 6. The more you study, the higher the level you reach. For example, Junior Bookkeeping is at Level 3, and the highest course, Certified Financial Accounting, is at Level 6.
ICB courses help people learn skills for real jobs in areas like bookkeeping, finance, and business. These courses are recognised by employers, so they can help you find work or move up in your career. You can also use them to study further.
ICB makes sure the courses and exams are done properly. It works with colleges and training centres to give good education. ICB also helps students get official certificates that are accepted in the working world.