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1. Bookkeeper

Why this matters: Bookkeepers keep the financial system alive. Without accurate, timely records, no business — big or small — can survive. 


2. What You Need to Know

A bookkeeper is the backbone of every finance team. They make sure the numbers add up — literally. 

  • Bookkeepers: 

  • Capture daily transactions 

  • Track income and expenses 

  • Reconcile accounts 

  • Support VAT and payroll submissions

  • Keep the business audit- and SARS-ready 

In short: Bookkeepers don’t just record numbers; they keep the whole financial system running. 

 3.Why It Matters to You 

  • Entry into finance: Bookkeeping is the gateway into the finance profession — you don’t need a degree, just willingness to learn. 

  • Career stability: Every organisation needs a bookkeeper; your skills are in demand across sectors. 

  • Earning power: With CIBA’s Chartered Bookkeeper (CBK) designation, you can charge more and prove your value. 

  • Recognition: Many bookkeepers do the work but lack professional recognition. CIBA changes that. 

 The Designation Advantage 

Anyone can call themselves a “bookkeeper.” But when you hold the Chartered Bookkeeper (CBK) designation, you show employers and clients that you are: 

  • Trustworthy and reliable 

  • Committed to ethics and lifelong learning 

  • Accountable to a professional body 

  • Recognised as a lower-risk, higher-value professional 

That’s why the CBK designation increases recognition and earning potential — it proves you’re more than “the accounts person.” 

 

4. Where Do Bookkeepers Work? 

Almost everywhere: 

  • Accounting firms 

  • SMEs and startups 

  • Government departments 

  • NGOs 

  • Schools and hospitals 

  • Freelance and remote roles 

 Where there’s money, there’s a need for bookkeeping. 

5. How Much Do Bookkeepers Earn? 

  • Entry level: R8,000 – R15,000/month 

  • Mid-level: R15,000 – R25,000/month 

  • Senior: R25,000 – R35,000+/month 

  • Freelance: R200 – R450/hour 

 Becoming a Chartered Bookkeeper (CBK) increases both earning power and job security. 

6. Skills You Need 

  • Attention to detail 

  • Basic accounting knowledge 

  • Communication skills 

  • Ethics and integrity 

  • Software skills (e.g., Sage, Xero, QuickBooks) 

 Career Path 

Start → Bookkeeper 
Next → Assistant Accountant 
Then → Financial Manager or start own practice 
Eventually → Chartered CFO or Sector Specialist 

Each step brings more responsibility, income, and recognition. 

 Key Rules, Standards, or Requirements 

  • Companies Act – requires accurate financial records. 

  • Tax Administration Act – links bookkeeping work directly to VAT, payroll, and tax compliance. 

  • CIBA Code of Ethics – ensures honesty and integrity in handling client funds. 

  • Professional Software Standards – many employers expect knowledge of accounting packages like Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks. 

 

How to Apply / Use This Role 

Start by joining CIBA: membership recognises your role as a finance professional. 

Apply for the Chartered Bookkeeper (CBK) designation: prove your competence to clients and employers. 

Keep learning: CPD courses and software training keep your skills relevant. 

Build your career map: use CIBA’s designation ladder to grow from bookkeeper to CFO. 

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

  • Thinking bookkeeping is “just admin” — it’s the foundation of business survival. 

  • Working without recognition — without a professional body, your value is often overlooked. 

  • Ignoring software skills — today’s bookkeepers must be tech-competent. 

  • Stopping your career journey — bookkeeping is a start, not a ceiling. 

 

Related Resources 

  • 📄 PDF: Guide to Becoming a Chartered Bookkeeper (CBK) 

  • 🎓 CPD: Essential Bookkeeping Skills: VAT, Payroll, and Reconciliations 

  • 📚 Related Knowledge Centre topics: Financial Administrator, The Role of the Finance Department 

 

Need Help? 

  • Contact the Technical Helpdesk 

  • Ask a Membership Advisor 

  • Submit a support ticket (pre-tagged: Careers → Bookkeeper) 





4. Why It Matters to You (Impact section) 

  • Bullet points answering: 

  • How this can make you money 

  • How it can save you trouble with SARS, regulators, or clients 

  • How it positions you as a trusted expert


5. Frameworks, Standards, or References (if relevant) 

  • Link to legislation, IFAC standards, CIBA policies, etc. 

  • Keep it brief — no copy-paste of legal text, just summaries + links. 


6. How to Apply (Action steps) 

  • Numbered or bulleted step-by-step guide 

  • Link to forms or related Help Centre Support articles


7. Common Mistakes to Avoid (if applicable) 

  • Short list of pitfalls members fall into on this topic 

  • Frame positively: “Do this instead…” 


8. Related Resources