Institutes

What are Professional Qualifications?

In order to obtain membership of a Professional Institute, you have to successfully meet these three criteria:

Completion of a study programme
Practical work experience
Adherence to the Institute’s Code of Conduct

An education provider can assist you with the academic requirements, such as the completion of the study programme (in order for you to gain membership of a Professional Institute). You will have to find out from the Professional Institute what is specifically required from you in terms of items (2) and (3) above.

South African Institute of Management (SAIM)

The South African Institute of Management (SAIM) is a Professional Body that promotes life-long learning and the continuous development of managers. The SAIM offers courses that are accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in various fields of management.

SAIM offers the following programmes:

General Management (Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Diploma)
Marketing Management (Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Diploma)
Credit Management (Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Diploma)
Human Recourse Management (Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Diploma)
Information Technology Management (Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Diploma)
Productions and Operations Management (Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Diploma)

The Institute of Certified Bookkeeping (ICB)

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is a Professional Institute and a Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) of the Finance and Accounting Sector Education and Training Authoring (Fasset). All the ICB qualifications are South African-based and are registered on the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF

ICB offers the following qualifications:

Accounting Certification Programme
Business Financial Management Certification Programme
Office Management Certification Programme

The Institute of Business Studies (IBS)

The Institute of Business Studies (IBS) is an affiliate of the South African branch of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), and therefore all the IBS qualifications are also accredited by Fasset. The programmes offered by the IBS serve as a stepping stone to more advanced ICSA courses.

All the IBS will assist you in gaining business experience, and they provide training in commercial, legal and general accounting. These business qualifications are highly recognised in the corporate world, so if you have not obtained formal school qualifications but wish to enter the world of commerce and industry, an IBS qualification will pave your way to success.

IBS offers the following programme:

Management and Administration NQF 4 (including Business Administration NQF 3)

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is a global Professional Body for accountants. At the moment, there are two Study Programmes from which to choose – The CAT Qualification and the ACCA Qualification. Please note that The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is currently restructuring its programmes and will be offering a new study programme in 2011 – Foundations in Accountancy.

ACCA offers the following qualifications:

Certified Accounting Technician Qualification (CAT)
Chartered Certified Accountant Qualification (ACCA)

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrations (ICSA)

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) is the leading global professional body for company secretaries and senior administrators, and its affiliate, Chartered Secretaries South Africa, is the formal institute for governance and accounting officers in Southern Africa.

ICSA is offering the following courses:

CIS Professional Qualification, Programme 1: Management Administration
CIS Professional Qualification, Programme 2: Governance and Administration
CIS Professional Qualification, Programme 3: Governance and Administration

The Chartered Institute of Management Accounts

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is the world's largest professional body of management accountants and its qualifications are highly sought after in the field of Management Accounting. CIMA Global members are qualified to work in various sections of an organisation, not only in finance, which certainly distinguishes prospective employees with CIMA qualifications from other applicants.

CIMA is offering the following courses:

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting
CIMA Professional Qualification: Operational Level
CIMA Professional Qualification: Managerial Level
CIMA Professional Qualification: Strategic Level
CIMA Professional Qualification: TOPCIMA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

CompTIA is a Professional Body which is globally recognised as the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications. CompTIA certifications identify IT professionals who have proven their skills and knowledge in various specialisations, such as security, network administration, computer repair, and server administration.

CompTIA is offering the following courses

A+ Windows 7 Essentials
A+ Windows 7 Comprehensive
A+ Windows Vista Comprehensive
A+ Windows Vista Essentials
Network +
Security +