Knowledge Centre
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