College SA - What is the difference between Computerised Bookkeeping and Pastel?

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What is the difference between Computerised Bookkeeping and Pastel?

Pastel

Pastel is a software programme that you use to do bookkeeping on a computer. It is a fact that most accountants recommend Pastel as the preferred accounting software tool. If you know how to do bookkeeping, and you want to learn how to do bookkeeping on a computer, you should do Pastel. If you don’t know how to do bookkeeping, you should rather do a Bookkeeping programme like Junior Bookkeeping.

Pastel also forms one of the components of the Computerised Bookkeeping subject in the Technical Financial Accountant Programme, which is a National Qualification.

Pastel also forms one of the components of the Computerised Bookkeeping subject in the Junior Bookkeeping and Senior Bookkeeping courses.

What is inside this programme?

In Pastel you will learn how to do bookkeeping on a computer, using the Pastel Bookkeeping Software.
With this course you get a free copy of Pastel software. This software is a student version and only valid for 30 days.

Lesson 1: Installing Partner Version 11
Lesson 2: Working in the Demo Company
Lesson 3: Creating a New Company
Lesson 4: Auto Setup
Lesson 5: Edit Menu
Lesson 6: Take on Balances
Lesson 7: Introduction to Processing
Lesson 8: Supplier Processing
Lesson 9: Customer Processing
Lesson 10: Cash Book Processing
Lesson 11: Monthly and Occasional Processing

For the Pastel programme, you will be required to complete an exam. You will need to contact the Pastel training centre on 011 – 304 3000 to book your exam and visit www.pastel.co.za to find out more about the exams. The exam fees are not included in your programme. Once you have successfully completed the prescribed examination, you will receive a Certificate of Competence from Pastel.

The College offers you the option to include the exam fees in your course fees. Please ask your Course Advisor about this.

Computerised Bookkeeping

Computerised Bookkeeping is a subject in the Technical Financial Accountant Programme, which is a National Qualification. It is also a subject in the Junior Bookkeeping and Senior Bookkeeping courses.
You can also do Computerised Bookkeeping on its own as a Short Course.

What is inside this programme?
The areas of study that you will cover in the Computerised Bookkeeping are divided into two sections. Section 1 is called Computerised Bookkeeping; Section 2 is called Pastel. You must finish and pass both these sections to Here are some more details on what you will study in each of these sections:

1. Section 1: Computerised Bookkeeping

Basic Personal Computer Concepts
Microsoft Windows and Vista
Microsoft Outlook and the Internet
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Basic accounts on Microsoft Office
Basic accounts on Pastel Accounting

2. Section 2: Pastel
With this section you get a free copy of Pastel software. This software is a student version and only valid for 30 days.

Creating and maintaining an inventory of items
Managing the general ledger and the customer and supplier accounts
Month-end procedures
Inventory counts
Bank reconciliations
Printing all associated reports

Assessment and Award

The two sections of this programme are assessed separately. For Section 1 you will have to register with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) for an exam. Before the exam the ICB will send you a Portfolio of Evidence (POE). The POE is an assignment you must complete at home and take with you to the exam. You then hand in the POE when you hand in your exam paper. The POE counts 30% of your final mark, the exam paper counts 70% of your final mark.

For Section 2 you will have to register with an Authorised Pastel Testing Centre. You will have to pass the exam and provide proof of your results to the ICB before you will be awarded your final pass for the complete Computerised Bookkeeping subject or Short Course.

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