College SA Accounting Courses and Bookkeeping Courses

Why should I study a College SA Accounting and Bookkeeping course?

Bookkeeping and accounting is on the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority’s (FASSET) top ten list of priority scarce skills in South Africa. Therefore, they encourage people to acquire skills in bookkeeping and accounting, which is desperately needed in the financial and accounting sector.

What does this mean for you? If you complete a bookkeeping or accounts course, the skills you learn will be in high demand. When more employers are looking for the type of skills you have, the chances of finding a job becomes easier, and you can look forward to more secure career prospects.

What is Accounting and Bookkeeping?

All businesses and non-profit organisations require a trustworthy bookkeeping system that was constructed on established accounting principles. This said, you should keep in mind that accounting is a much broader field than bookkeeping.

Bookkeeping mainly refers to the record-keeping of accounting aspects. It involves recording information about the transactions and financial activities of a business. It is an essential subsection of accounting; the process of gathering, organising, filing and accessing financial data of a business, which is required for two reasons:

To keep track of all day-to-day operations of the business.
To prepare financial statements, tax returns and internal reports to executives.

Bookkeeping can be thought of as the financial information base of a business. This information should always be complete, accurate and timely.

Accounting covers a wider field than bookkeeping. An accountant can design a bookkeeping system, create controls to ensure that the bookkeeping system is working as it should, and analyse and verify the recorded information. They have to supply financial reports to business executives and investors to inform them of the performance and financial condition of the business.

Accountants are responsible for designing the internal controls for the bookkeeping system. This serves to minimise errors when recording a large number of transactions over a period of time. The controls are also relied on to detect and prevent theft, embezzlement, fraud and dishonest financial behaviour.

Accountants compile reports based on the information gathered by the bookkeeping process. This includes financial statements, tax returns and other confidential reports. One of the most critical tasks of an accountant is to measure profit – if the data gathered is faulty, the accountant’s reports will be incorrect.

What does an Accountant do?

Manage financial systems and budgets.
Conduct financial audits.
Provide financial information and advice to individuals or businesses.
Review a company’s financial systems and analyse risk.
Perform tests to check financial information and systems.
Provide advice on tax planning and issues associated with activities such as business acquisitions and mergers.
Maintain accounting records and prepare accounts and management information for businesses.
Provide advice on business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions.
Guide clients in areas of business improvement, or dealing with bankruptcy.
Detect and prevent financial fraud in a business.
Record and capture financial transactions of a business in bookkeeping software, spreadsheets or databases.
Manage the payment of business accounts.
Prepare and send invoices and receipts to debtors.
Process payroll and maintain employee records.
Manage bank settlements.
Check figures and report for accuracy.
Manage financial data and report irregularities to management.
Compile balance sheets, income statements and other financial documents

What does a Bookkeeper do?

Record and capture financial transactions of a business in bookkeeping software, spreadsheets or databases.
Manage the payment of business accounts.
Prepare and send invoices and receipts to debtors.
Process payroll and maintain employee records.
Manage bank settlements.
Check figures and report for accuracy.
Manage financial data and report irregularities to management.
Compile balance sheets, income statements and other financial documents

Where to study Accounting and Bookkeeping courses?

Are you considering studying a bookkeeping course? Maybe you are looking for courses for accounting? Look no further, College SA offers a range of Bookkeeping and Accounting courses accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Want to study to become a Junior Bookkeeper?

Our ICB National Certificate in Bookkeeping course is perfect for students who want to work in a junior bookkeeper position. This course consists of four subjects and will take sixteen months to complete. In order to study this course, you have to be at least sixteen years of age and have a grade 10 certificate. No prior bookkeeping or accounting knowledge is required.

Want to study to become a Senior Bookkeeper?

The ICB Further Education and Training Certificate in Bookkeeping course will prepare you for a senior bookkeeper position. The entry requirement for this course is a National Certificate in Bookkeeping. The study period for this course is six months and there are only two subjects to complete.

Want to study to become a Technical Financial Accountant?

To become a qualified technical financial accountant, you should study the ICB National Diploma in Technical Financial Accounting course. In order to study this bookkeeping course, you first have to obtain a Further Education and Training Certificate in Bookkeeping. This course takes about six months to complete and there are two subjects to work through.

Want to study to become a Financial Accountant?

If you are dreaming about running your own bookkeeping/accounting practice, you should study the ICB National Diploma in Financial Accounting. You require a National Diploma in Technical Financial Accounting to study this course. You will have to complete three subjects in the duration of nine months.

You could also study the Public Sector National Diploma in Financial Accounting course to obtain a financial accountant designation. However, you first have to complete the National Certificate in Public Sector Accounting and Diploma in Public Sector Accounting course before you can proceed to the financial accounts course. This course will also take nine months to complete.

Want to study to become a Public Accounts Administrator?

By studying the ICB National Certificate in Public Sector Accounting course, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the Institute of Public Finance and Auditing (IPFA) at level four as a registered public sector accounts administrator. This course will take sixteen months to complete and with a total of four subjects. This course requires you to have a grade 11 or equivalent. No prior accounting knowledge needed.

Want to study to become a Technical Public Accountant or Accounting Technician?

The ICB Diploma in Public Sector Accounting course also allows you to apply for membership of the Institute of Public Finance and Auditing (IPFA). You will be able to register at level three as a registered Public Sector Accounting Technician. You will be required to complete a National Certificate in Public Sector Accounting first, before you can apply for this course. Course duration is twelve months and there are four subjects to complete.

Want to study to become a Public Sector Financial Accountant?

If you are considering becoming a public sector financial accountant, you should study the ICB National Diploma in Financial Accounting course. This course will equip you with the skills to work in a financial accounting or accounting officer position. Requirements for this course include a Diploma in Public Sector Accounting. There are three subjects to work though and it will take you nine months to complete.

Want to study to become a Business Accountant?

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting course will equip you with the necessary skills to work in a business accountant position. This course consists of five subjects, which can be completed in twenty months. The entry requirements include a good understanding of English and math.

Want to study a Pastel training course?

College SA offers two Pastel courses. You can choose to study the Pastel Payroll Administration Short Course or the Pastel Partner V14 course. These courses do not require any formal education, however, a grade 10 and the ability to read and write in English is essential. Both these courses only require a six-month study period.