Certificate IV in Bookkeeping

Overview

This course is designed to provide the bookkeeper with skills in developing and
implementing policies and practices relevant to bookkeeping activities such as classifying,
recording and reporting of accounting information, maintaining inventory records and
making decisions in a legal context. It also focuses on procedural requirements for
bookkeepers when establishing accounting and payroll systems.

Course Suitability

This Certificate IV qualification suits

New bookkeepers who are starting their own business,

Contract or permanent bookkeepers who wish to become accredited BAS agents, and

Small business owners who would like their staff to complete bookkeeping tasks

Enrolment Options

This qualification is available in most states as a government funded Traineeship enrolment.
The qualification is also available for individual students to enrol on a private basis.
Employers can also directly enrol staff where Traineeship enrolment is not suitable.

Course Duration

The qualification is timetabled to be completed in one year over a 36 week period, with students
required to mail assignments to the College at regular intervals.
Regular study of approximately 3 hours per week, in conjunction with on-the-job practice of
the skills covered in the course would normally be required to successfully complete this
qualification.
The timetable can be extended to a longer period subject to maximum timeframes set in
each State for Traineeship enrolments (generally 12 months but 24 months in some States).
Students can complete as early as they like – as they study at their own pace.

Course Benefits

The Certificate IV in Bookkeeping will progressively become the base line of education
required for a bookkeeper, and it will become one of the factors required by employers and
clients when considering the competence and employment of bookkeepers.

College Trainers and Materials Each student will have a dedicated College
Training Manager to provide immediate assistance and support.
The College Trainers all have “real life” experience in the areas that they train in, and so
have the expertise and skills to provide effective student and employer support.
The course materials are delivered in separate “modules” or workbooks. Each module
concentrates on a specific theme, and may cover a number of “units of competency” (these
are the “national standards” that apply to the qualification).

The College course material is easy to read and understand and is kept up to date with current
business practices and relevant legislation.
Students are issued a Course Folder to keep their course material organised.

Course Delivery

Course can be delivered in a range of delivery modes based on the most suitable mode for the
circumstances:

Workbook / correspondence

On-line learning

Class room learning

In some situations the mode will be a mix of these options.

Workbook modules are designed so that students can use small periods of time to
“study”. This makes the course achievable even in a busy branch or office – with small periods of
time being able to be used effectively.

Entry Requirements

To complete this course an average to above average level of English literacy and numeracy
is required. Microsoft Office applications and high level PC skills are needed to undertake some of the elective modules in computer applications.

Important Note
This course is based on manual accounting concepts – and as such it is important to understand the foundation skills of accounting activities.
Therefore, prerequisites may apply to the “accounting” electives as the equivalent of the
Certificate III level accounts administration knowledge is required.

Course Subjects & Electives

The qualification includes the following core modules:

Use Multiple Information Systems

Safety and Risk Assessment

Process Journals

Accounts Payable

Prepare Financial Reports

Bookkeeping Practice

Business Tax Requirements

Computerised Accounting

Payroll

Advanced Word Processing Skills

Professional Practices in Finance

Qualification & Career Pathway

At the end of this course you will have a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping.
This qualification will enable you to fill the role of a contract bookkeeper and/or an employee
performing in the role of bookkeeper for organisations and perform duties such as:

Establish and maintain cash accounting and accrual accounting systems

Assist with Business Activity Statements and other office tax related duties

Set up and operate a computerised accounting system

Establish and maintain a payroll system

Developing Design and produce business documents

Introduce management systems