The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is an independent external examination body in South Africa. It operates in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), offering accredited business-focused qualifications through registered distance learning colleges.
Think about the ICB as if they were the quality controllers for specific business qualifications. They do not provide the training themselves but partner closely with the government and accredited distance learning colleges.
The colleges provide the course materials and support for students to prepare them to meet the ICB’s standards through their exams.
What Courses Can You Study with the ICB?
The ICB focuses on equipping people with practical, work-ready skills that are essential to help them succeed in the business world. Courses you can study with the ICB include courses in:
- Business Management – Designed for budding entrepreneurs and managers, covering vital aspects of running a business effectively.
- Financial Accounting – Build your expertise from foundational bookkeeping principles to advanced financial practices.
- Office Administration – Learning crucial office skills to help keep your office running smoothly.
Each program is structured across multiple levels (typically three to four levels), with most taking around a year to complete per level. One of the main advantages when studying for an ICB qualification is that even if you only finished the first level of studies, you’ll be able to start seeking employment (that’s if you do not already have a job).
Once you’ve completed your ICB studies, you’ll be able to join a relevant professional body (but more on that later).
How Does Learning with the ICB Work?
It’s important to understand the roles between the professional body and the course provider, namely:
- The ICB: The ICB sets the curriculum standards, develops the assessments (like exams and portfolios), and issues the final qualification upon successful completion. They are the examining body (like Umalusi or the QCTO).
- Accredited Training Providers (Colleges): These are the institutions where you actually enrol to study your ICB course. They provide the learning materials, tutoring, student support, and guide you through preparing for the ICB assessments.
Your chosen college will supply all the necessary study materials and support. The ICB itself, as an independent assessment body, does not directly provide tuition or course materials to students.
Colleges that you can apply to study an ICB qualification includes distance learning institutions such as:
How Do the ICB Exams Work?
The ICB hosts a number of exam periods throughout the year, giving students the flexibility to choose when they’re ready to write. To be eligible for exams, students must submit their Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) on or before the designated date issued by the ICB.
For the uninformed, the PoE consists of assessments and tests that need to be completed during your studies with your college. This would showcase your consistent engagement and understanding of the work and failure to submit a completed portfolio would result in not being able to register for the final exam for that particular subject.
There are two different exam formats offered by the ICB, namely:
- Online Exams – Usually held in the afternoons from 13:00 to 16:30
- Paper-Based Exams – Usually held in the mornings from 9:00 to 12:30
Registration for the ICB exams is done through the ICB Student Portal and NOT through the college you’re studying through. For this, you will need your name, surname, and unique ICB student number.
When you’re done with your exams, your results will be published in your student portal. However, all is not lost if you happen to fail your exam. Upon failure, students are allowed one re-assessment within a 12-month period. Failure for a second time will result in having to redo the subject before you can take another attempt at the exam.
Is the ICB Actually Recognised?
This is 100% correct. ICB qualifications are registered on the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and are recognised by employers both nationally and internationally.
This means that with an ICB qualification to your name, it can open up doors to job opportunities across South Africa and potentially around the globe.
ICB programmes goes up to the diploma level, each with different starting requirements:
- Financial Accounting: Starts at NQF Level 3 (Grade 11 equivalent) – Grade 10 needed to apply.
- Business Management: Starts at NQF Level 4 (Matric Equivalent) – Grade 11 needed.
- Office Administration: Starts at NQF Level 5 – Matric Certificate required.
NB: Always confirm this information with the chosen distance learning provider that you are going with before making your informed decision.
What Professional Bodies You Can Join with an ICB Qualification?
Completing an ICB qualification can make you eligible for membership with a number of respected professional bodies. This can help enhance and improve your credibility and career prospects. Depending on the qualification and level you’ve obtained, you can potentially join organisations such as:
- The ICBA – The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and Accountants
- SAIT – The South African Institute of Taxation
- IAB – The International Association of Bookkeepers
- IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals
- SAIBA – The South African Institute for Business Accountants
- CIMA – The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
The membership requirements vary with each professional body, so it’s best to check directly with the body once you have achieved your qualification.
What Have We Learned?
The main takeaway is that the ICB is an independent examination body that partners with the South African government (DHET) and accredited distance learning colleges to offer recognised business qualifications.
- It focuses on offering practical, work-focused qualifications.
- ICB qualifications are recognised locally and internationally by employers
- In order to qualify for exams, you would need to complete a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) during your course, and then directly register with the ICB through the student portal to write your final exams.
- You can study an ICB qualification with a minimum of a Grade 10 qualification (course-dependent).
- People who completed an ICB qualification can join one of many professional bodies.
Author: Dylan Florence
Date Published: 06 April 2025