What is the Certificate IV in Bookkeeping?		Guide to Providers of the Certificate IV in Bookkeeping - updated June 2011
	Background to the Certificate IV		Guide to providers of the BAS Agent skill set - GST/BAS Course - Updated July 2011
	Education requirements for all BAS Agents		Where did the Certificate IV come from?

Why do you need one?

Contract Bookkeeper

Industry Core Units plus, Sectoral Core Units plus

FNSICCUS401B Deliver a professional service to customers

FNSICCUS402B Maintain customer relationship

Small Business Owner

Industry Core Units plus, Sectoral Core Units plus

FNSICORG501B Manage own professional development

FNSPRAC501B Manage and maintain small/medium business operations

Permanent Paid Bookkeeper (employed bookkeeper)

Industry Core Units plus, Sectoral Core Units plus

FNSICORG501B Manage own professional development

FNSICCUS402B Maintain customer relationship

1. The Cert IV Bookkeeping and the existing Cert IV Accounting is set to become the minimum formal education requirement for a person wishing to be a Registered BAS Agent under the proposed legislation.  (this legislation is a long way from in effect and you don't need to rush)

2. The Cert IV Bookkeeping is relevant to the education and competence needs of Bookkeepers.  For the first time we have a Cert IV level of formal course that is aimed to equip bookkeepers with the educational knowledge appropriate to being a bookkeeper.

3. The Cert IV will progressively become the base line of education required for a 'Bookkeeper'.  As the qualification becomes more readily available we see that this Cert IV will be one of the factors required by employers and clients when considering the competence and employment of high end bookkeepers. 

Do I have to have one?
No, unless you want to be a BAS Agent.

When do I need it?
February 2012
   

 How do I get my Certificate IV in Bookkeeping

Either through classroom training, distance education or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

ICB lists a number of these RTO's whom have applied to ICB to be recognised & promoted by us as Approved Trainers.  Approved Trainer means that we have had a look at their offerings and believe their style of training is appropriate for bookkeepers and worth you considering.

Click here for the full list of ICB accredited trainers.

We have also put together a list of training providers we would like to recommend as we believe - from information we have been able to obtain - that these providers are well equipped to deliver the Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping), click here for all the details. We are actively working with these training providers and others to ensure there is a style of training or recognition of prior learning that is appropriate to our members. ICB continues to work with training providers to provide a method to recognise your competence as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

If you wish to become a Registered BAS Agent under the TASA 2009 law then you will need to obtain this qualification! 

While there are now many providers, some of these RTO’s with the course "in scope" are yet to provide the course and our investigations indicate they are yet to truly have the ability to provide the course.  We become very concerned when the provider is unable to give us any details as to the type of training or type of materials, answering with the comment "We provide all those details once the student has enrolled".  Some providers are NOT geared up to consider providing the course to experienced bookkeepers in the workforce. 

We recommend that you consider those providers who:

1. are up and running the course already.

2. they should be using software as part of their courses and 

3. they should be on the current versions (A number of the RTO’s do not know what software, if any, they are planning to use and a number of providers are using out of date versions)

4. their costs should be easily understood 

When investigating the course providers, you should  consider Recognition of Prior Learning, or  Assessment, however, ensure you find out what the process is following Assessment.  A cheap assessment process may only lead to expensive and extensive further education before you move towards receiving the qualification. 

This qualification reflects the role of individuals who use well-developed skills and a broad knowledge base in a wide variety of contexts and environments. They apply solutions to a defined range of problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources in relation to a variety of tasks. They may provide guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others. 

• This qualification is designed to reflect the role of contract bookkeepers and employees performing in the role of bookkeeper for organisations and who perform duties such as:

  • establishing and maintaining accounting systems

  • assisting with Business Activity Statements and other office taxes

  • payroll

  • developing management systems for organisations.

FNSBKPG401A Develop and implement policies and practices relevant to bookkeeping activities

FNSBKPG402A Establish and maintain a Cash Accounting System

FNSBKPG403A Establish and maintain an Accrual Accounting System

FNSBKPG404A Carry out Business Activity and Instalment Activity tasks

FNSACCT406B Maintain asset and inventory records

FNSACCT405B Prepare financial statements

FNSBKPG405A Establish and maintain a payroll system

Selecting electives for different work outcomes

Sectoral Core Units 

Industry Core Units

FNSICIND401B Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

FNSICGEN301B Communicate in the workplace

FNSICGEN302B Use technology in the workplace

FNSICGEN304B Apply health and safety practices in the workplace