Financial Management

Do you have an interest in financial matters, analysing figures, balancing accounts or general bookkeeping? Are you intrigued by the impact that different factors have on the business environment and how this affects the global economy? Would you like to learn how to develop successful business strategies or fulfil a role in management, whether at a junior or executive level? Do you want to work in an accounting or bookkeeping department, or are you striving towards a career in governance or administration? College SA has the perfect programme for you!

At College SA, the Financial Management programmes we offer can broadly be divided into five different categories, each linked to a specific institute or academic body:

1. ICB Full Qualifications
2. ICB Short Courses
3. CIMA Management Accounting
4. ICSA Professional Qualifications
5. Pastel Computerised Bookkeeping



Institute of Certified Bookkeepers – Full Qualifications and Short Courses

The programmes offered through the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) focus mainly on accounting and aspects related to finances. Accuracy is probably the most important skill any bookkeeper or financial reporter should possess, since they are responsible for projections and business decisions that are made on these grounds. Completing anyone one of these programmes would surely be to your advantage.

So, what can you expect from this group of programmes? Financial Accounting features very prominently and involves aspects such as business taxation, income tax returns, tax calculation, knowledge of the different financial laws, auditing, financial reporting, etc. Then there is also a focus on Junior and Senior Bookkeeping, which entail functions such as year-end adjustments, disposal of depreciable assets, preparation of financial statements, account management, cost accounting, analysis, etc.

In general, these programmes tend to place more emphasis on the actual accounting skills one needs when working in a financial environment.



Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

The programmes offered through the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) the focus is almost entirely on the managerial aspects of business. Students can therefore expect to pay closer attention to the analysis of the business environment instead of mainly working with figures, tax returns, financial statements, and such aspects that are generally associated with the auditing process. In general, these programmes tend to pay more attention to management skills within business practice.

The CIMA programmes educate and prepare students who want to work as accountants in industry, commerce or non-governmental and public sector organisations. Management Accounting Studies is therefore focused on the future and how strategies can be influenced or shaped to develop their business potential. If you are interested in budgeting, forecasting, risk assessment, cost control and project management, you would benefit from enrolling for one of the CIMA programmes.



Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

The programmes offered through the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) offer a good balance between basic accounting and knowledge of the concepts, theories and laws behind business practices. The ICSA programme is perfect for anybody who is interested in becoming a Company Secretary.

The purpose of the ICSA programmes is to provide the student with an understanding of the operational environment in which management and administration personnel perform their duties, as well as a variety of clerical skills. In this way, students would be able to understand the importance of proper governance while performing tasks such as filling out tax returns and interpreting a balance sheet. In general, these programmes focus on both the financial and the managerial side of business – the perfect balance between pure accounting and pure management.

A wide variety of outcomes are incorporated into the four CIS qualifications, which range between theoretical knowledge and practical experience. These include management principles, the foundations of law, taxation, communication, economics, financial accounting, managing IT, etc.



Pastel V10

Pastel is one of the leading accounting programmes used for bookkeeping. Softline Pastel is a leading developer of software packages and software solutions – such as accounting software packages and business management software solutions - in South Africa. The Pastel software focusses on a person’s business, allowing the accounting employee to take charge of the areas that require their attention. Whether you work in a small business, a start-up business, or even a medium or large enterprise, Pastel is the perfect business management software solution.
If you are considering registering for the College SA Pastel V10 programme, then you can expect to learn about the following exciting bookkeeping topics while using leading software: Creating and maintaining an inventory of items, Managing the general ledger and the customer and supplier accounts, Month-end procedures, Inventory counts, Bank reconciliations, and, Printing all associated reports.


Quick Links:

1. ICB Full Qualifications
2. ICB Short Courses
3. CIMA Management Accounting
4. ICSA Professional Qualifications
5. Pastel Computerised Bookkeeping