The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)
National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting Learnership
NQF Level 5
The ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) was established in 1931 with the aim of promoting qualified
Bookkeepers in Southern Africa. All qualifications offered by the ICB are registered with SAQA and the ICB has
been accredited by Fasset as an agent ETQA.
The National Diploma Technical Financial Accounting Learnership is a work-based education and training
programme that comprises both a practical and a theory component. Learners who successfully complete the
Learnership may apply for Fellow membership of the ICB. The designation is awarded to successful learners for
as long as membership fees are paid.
Entrance Requirements and RPL
It is presumed that learners entering this Qualification have achieved a Further Education and Training Certificate
(FETC) with Accounting at NQF Level 4, or an Accounting Qualification registered at NQF Level 4.
A Recognition of Prior Learning process is in place. This allows the learner to apply to the Institute for credits
towards the qualifications based on previous work experience and/or previous recognised qualifications.
Structure
The Learnership comprises both a theory component, assessed by time constraint assessments conducted by the
Institute, and a practical component assessed by registered assessors in the workplace as stipulated in the
assessment guidelines document.
Theory Component
This is the structured learning component of the Learnership. Learning is completed at an accredited training
provider and the learner is assessed by nationally set ICB assessments (three-hour written assessments).
Subjects:
 Financial Accounting Fundamentals
 Financial Accounting 1
 Management Information Systems
 Cost and Management Accounting Fundamentals
 Cost and Management Accounting 1
 Accounting Control Systems
 Personal and Business Taxation
 Key and Personal Skills (electives)
 Law relevant to Accounting Technicians
 Communication and Ethics
Practical Component
This is the work-based component of the Learnership. A minimum of 24 months’ practical training is completed,
after which the learner will be assessed against the relevant outcomes of the Learnership.
The practical component must be completed at an accredited workplace provider and must be supervised by a
member of a recognised Accounting Professional Body, who holds a qualification at least one level higher than the
Learnership.
Duration
The duration of the Learnership is 24 months, during which time the learner is required to complete both
components of the Learnership.
Assessment
The theory component is assessed by time constraint examinations which are held annually in either May or
October and learners are required to register for the examinations by the stipulated date. All subjects need not be
written at the same examination session.
The practical component is assessed in the workplace, by a registered assessor. The learner completes a required
logbook and submits a portfolio of evidence.
The tools used for the assessment of learners are:
 The official ICB logbook
 Portfolio of evidence

Simulations (where required)
Work Functions
Financial Accounting Technicians undertake tasks that require fundamental knowledge and the application of basic
Bookkeeping and Accounting procedures in a variety of situations. They require a range of skills and the ability to
apply essential methods and procedures within the limits of their authority. They function within general Accounting
and Financial Management roles where they lend support to the Accountant and/or the Financial Manager of
medium to large-sized organisations. Financial Accounting Technicians also perform a wide range of Accounting
and Financial Management tasks independently in small companies but under the indirect supervision of an
external Accountant in terms of legal requirements, in different industries and in commercial and industrial
organisations.
Further Information
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)
Tel : (021) 421 1110
Fax : (021) 421 1136
E-mail : enquiries@icb.org.za
Web : www.icb.org.za