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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION: 
Chartered Bookkeeper 
DESIGNATION ID DESIGNATION TITLE
1323  Chartered Bookkeeper 
PROFESSIONAL BODY DESIGNATION STATUS
CIBA - Chartered Institute for Business Accountants (Formerly SAIBA)  Registered 
SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
SAQA 09145/24  2025-03-20  2030-03-19 


DESCRIPTION:
The CBK is ideal for persons that are starting out their career as an accounting and financial professional and who works in a bookkeeping, accounting or finance environment. This designation mainly requires basic business and bookkeeping (accounting) knowledge with a distinct focus on for transactions in the primary books of record and administration of supporting documentation.

A CBK is required to have a comprehension of the accounting framework and understanding of the various types of entities. Furthermore, a CBK should be able to account for and organise source documents, process non complex transactions, perform non-complex reconciliations and compile noncomplex deliverables accurately.

The CBK should have a non-complex application ability with regards to Value Added Taxation and integration with accounting for transactions. Depending on the underlying qualification and/or experience of the CBK he/she should have basic application skills with regards to financial management (management reporting and cash flow) or Business Management (such as compiling ofa non-complex business plan).

In addition to these technical skills a CBK can apply soft skills such as management communication (for example business writing skills, report writing skills and professional behaviour). The CBK designation holder should be able to use computerised financial systems and computer software packages on a non-complex application level.

The Chartered Bookkeeper designation is suitable for:
  • Bookkeeping certificate holders at NQF level 4.
  • Post Gr. 12 learners with Mathematics or Maths literacy at NQF level 4; or
  • Junior bookkeeping and finance clerks working in industry for 12 months or more.

    The CBK enhances an employee's value to their current organization and expands their career potential. 
    		•
    AWARDING CRITERIA
    For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
    Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification:
    The CBK designation is awarded to persons with one of the following
    qualifications:
  • FET Cert: Accounting Technician NQF Level 04 ID 77143
  • FET Cert: Bookkeeping NQF Level 04 ID 58376
  • FET Cert: Local Government Accounting NQF Level 04 ID 73712
  • Nat Cert: Public Sector Accounting NQF Level 04 ID 20352
  • Nat Cert: Small Bus Fin Man NQF Level 04 ID 48736
  • Nat Certif: Vocational: Fin, Eco and Accounting NQF Level 04 ID 50441
  • Nat Senior Cert (Grade 
    		•
    Experiential Learning or Experience
    The designation CBK, is relevant to an individual that has experience within a functional area of the finance department. Being Chartered as a bookkeeper demonstrates that the individual's competencies are verified independently by a professional body registered with SAQA and that there is a chartered path for the prospective member, based on his/her experience and academic level. CIBA supports each member throughout their chartered membership path, and each member
    is encouraged to keep on charting their own designation path. In addition, a Chartered designation shows the individual's commitment to ethics, integrity, continuous professional development, adherence to professional engagement standards, and belonging to a community of professionals.

    CIBA offers three routes to the designation.
  • A traditional study route: a candidate studies with the aim of becoming a CBK,
  • A work experience route: a candidate may have had other work experience prior to deciding to qualify as a CBK,
  • A professional body route: a candidate is a student member of professional bodies such as the ACCA or CIMA and works as a bookkeeper.

    The below formulae illustrates the basis for awarding a designation is a combination of a qualification and experience that is verified and assessed:

    Qualifications + Experience + Assessment => Designations + CPD 
    		•
    Competency Assessment
    The candidate is expected to demonstrate that he/she has obtained the required qualification, experience and skills as required by the CIBA CBK Competency Framework. The Competency Framework was developed by performing a comparison study on professional accounting body qualification frameworks, experience requirements and assessments. It represents a synthesis of current best practice. The CIBA Competency Framework identifies and examines the necessary competencies that a CBK needs to develop as they develop their skills within the workplace. The competencies are those that distinguishes qualified bookkeepers from the unqualified bookkeepers. A candidate does not need to be currently employed as a bookkeeper but should be able to
    demonstrate the required competencies within the two roles of the bookkeeper, namely:
  • Capturing,
  • Reporting.

    Assessments are conducted in two parts. CIBA evaluators verify the information presented by the candidate and an external assessor is appointed to perform an oral assessment, if the experience was gained other than within a CIBA Approved Training Office (ATO). CIBA may decide to use any of the following optional assessment methods:
  • written exam marked by an examiner,
  • verbal assessment performed by an assessor,
  • essay reviewed by an assessor,
  • portfolio of evidence reviewed by an assessor,
  • time sheets reviewed by an assessor.

    02. Assessments that are conducted through structured interviews which require each candidate to respond to questions from relevant topics or subject areas as reflected in the Competency Framework and must apply what he or she has learnt to a scenario. Responses are markedwithin score sheet.

    The oral assessment is conducted in terms of the CIBA Assessment Policy and is used to judge:
  • Knowledge (relay the theory),
  • Understanding (reference an example), and
  • Problem solving and other abilities (explain a new or innovative application). 
    		•
    Designation RPL Statement
    This Designation may be awarded through Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    RETAINING CRITERIA
    In order to ensure the currency of professional knowledge and to retain the Professional Designation, the professional must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
    Code of Conduct
    Members must adhere to the Professional Body Codes of Conduct and Ethics. 
    Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
    Persons that have been awarded the designation Chartered Bookkeeper designation are required to engage in continuous professional development (CPD). This is how CIBA ensures our designations are highly regarded by employers and presents a competitive advantage to our members.

    Continuous quality confirmation is a hallmark of the designation, gives credibility and is valued by clients and employers.

    The CIBA CPD programme consists of:
  • Ethics: An annual CIBA course in ethics. This must be repeated annually.
  • Knowledge and skills: A Chartered Bookkeeper needs to log 15 hours CPD per annum. CPD is a means to update knowledge required within a specific occupation. 
    		•
    Fees
    Ensure that the annual membership fee is paid. 


    PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRESSION PATHWAY
    (The Designation being reported on here is shown in italics.)

    Sequence Designation ID Designation Title
    11323Chartered Bookkeeper
    21322Chartered Financial Administrator
    3521Chartered Business Accountant in Commerce (Chartered BAC)
    4520Chartered Business Accountant in Practice (Chartered BAP)
    5769Chartered Financial Manager (Chartered FM)
    6631Chartered Chief Financial Officer (Chartered CFO)


    PROFESSIONAL BODY WEB ADDRESS:
    For more information on this Professional Designation, please visit http://www.saiba.org.za