Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

The ICB is a Professional Institute and a Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) of the Finance and Accounting Sector Education and Training Authority (Fasset).

As a QAP the ICB conducts assessments in bookkeeping, accounting, tax, financial management and office administration for business qualifications that are awarded by Fasset. Successful learners may apply for membership with professional designations from the ICB.

The ICB provides the following Certification Programmes:

1. Accounting Certification Programme
2. Office Manangement Certification Programme
3. Business Financial Management Certification Programme

For more information visit www.icb.org.za.

Institute of Business Studies (IBS)

The IBS is an affiliate of the Institute of The Southern African Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) South Africa an independent, self-regulating professional body, founded in 1891 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1902.

The Certificates offered by the IBS are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the NQF as:

1. The IBS Professional Qualification: Business Administration (NQF Level 3; Learning Programme ID 60150 with 130 credits)
2. The IBS Professional Qualification: Management and Administration (NQF Level 4; Learning Programme ID 60152 with 130 credits)

For more information visit www.icsa.co.za.

South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT)

Practitioners (SAIT) was constituted as a non-Profit Organisation with the view to educate and enhance the knowledge of tax practitioners and the broader public with tax matters. Becoming a member affords one the opportunity to have access to benefits such as:

• Professional recognition
• Technical assistance
• Status of Commissioner of Oaths
• Setting standards for education and training
• Assistance with CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
• Updates on changes in tax legislation
• Representation with SARS and Government
• Building the brand of South African tax professionals, nationally and internationally
• Representation with other relevant stakeholders
• Networking opportunities
• Regional forums to meet with fellow members

The Institute has three (3) levels of membership viz. Master Tax Practitioner, General Tax Practitioner and Tax Technician.

Recently the Institute has launched an International qualification- The ADIT Qualification, which provides the tax practitioner the opportunity to improve their credentials as an International Tax Adviser.

For more information visit www.thesait.org.za.

Pastel Accounting

Softline Pastel Accounting, a member of the Softline Group, is South Africa's leading developer of accounting and business software applications for the SME market. Founded in 1989, Pastel has been a trusted name in accounting software for over 20 years and is recommended by 9 out of 10 accountants. Pastel has over 180,000 users worldwide and is currently sold in over 52 countries through a network of 3500 Channel and Business Partners.

The Pastel Accounting product range has been developed to provide various solutions for start-up, small, medium and larger sized companies. This scalable range includes My Invoicing, My Business, My Business Online, Pastel Xpress Start-Up, Pastel Xpress, Pastel Partner and Pastel Evolution. Regardless of the product choice, Pastel ensures that every business is kept up to date with South Africa's accounting standards, as well as economic and legislative changes.

For more information visit www.pastel.co.za.

Pastel Payroll

Softline Pastel Payroll is South Africa's leading developer of Payroll and HR software for SMEs. Pastel Payroll offers a range of innovative and easy-to-use software solutions suitable for all sizes and types of businesses.

At Pastel Payroll we believe in working smarter, not harder. Meeting the South African Revenue Service (SARS) obligations every month takes considerable time and know-how. Pastel Payroll ensures that all its customers are kept up-to-date with ever changing legislation, giving business owners complete peace of mind that their payrolls are legally compliant.

Designed for a broad range of industries, the Pastel Payroll range, namely Pastel My Paycheck Online, Pastel MicrOpay, Pastel Partner Payroll and Pastel Evolution Payroll &HR provides businesses with Payroll and HR software that does it all for your you. Let our automated software make PAYE, SDL, UIF and other statutory returns less taxing.

For more information visit www.pastelpayroll.co.za.

South African Institute of Management (SAIM)

The purpose of the SAIM is to develop competent managers through self-discovery, self-management, accountability to others, respect for Human Rights, good corporate governance and responsibility to those less fortunate. To achieve this end we offer SAQA accredited courses for Certificate (NQF5) Diploma (NQF5 ID67689) and Advanced Diploma (Post Graduate Diploma NQF6 ID67690) in the following keys areas:

• Business Management
• Human Resources
• Credit Management
• Marketing Management
• IT Management
• Management Research

We are a professional body that promotes manager development, continuous professional development and life-long learning through our professional membership services. We offer a range of customized workshops covering all aspects of Best Management Practice. We have networking opportunities in the form of breakfast sessions or after hour's cocktail meetings with the intention of promoting effective linkages between like-minded members. In the 21st century all full-time employees are only three pay cheques away from poverty, retrenchment is on the increase. At the SAIM we have developed a 12 Step programme to address unemployment and for matching one's actual and latent competencies to self-created work opportunities in order to earn a living.

For more information visit: www.saim.co.za