About this Course

This online short course gives bookkeeping practitioners a practical, structured understanding of how to prepare, read and analyse an income statement. Where general bookkeeping training covers the mechanics of posting transactions, this course focuses on the income statement itself — how revenue, cost of sales, operating expenses, tax and profit fit together, and what the resulting figures tell you about a business.

Learners work through real South African scenarios: retail, service and manufacturing businesses, revenue recognition under accrual accounting, cost of sales and gross profit calculations, operating expenses and depreciation, taxation and profit after tax, and the ratios used to interpret an income statement once it has been prepared. Every concept is linked back to worked examples, journal entries and practical case studies, so learners see not just how to prepare the figures but how to explain what they mean.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to prepare a multi-step income statement for a South African business, calculate and interpret key profitability ratios, and identify the red flags that signal a business may be in financial difficulty.

Learning Objectives

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Define an income statement, explain its purpose and distinguish it from the balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Apply the accrual, matching, revenue recognition and consistency principles that govern income statement preparation
• Calculate cost of sales and gross profit, including the effect of opening and closing stock and stock adjustments
• Distinguish operating expenses from cost of sales and calculate operating profit (EBIT), including depreciation and amortisation
• Calculate taxable profit, income tax expense, deferred tax and profit after tax (PAT) for a South African business
• Calculate and interpret key profitability ratios, including gross profit margin, operating profit margin and net profit margin
• Apply vertical and horizontal analysis to identify trends and red flags in an income statement
• Prepare full income statements and supporting journal entries for South African case studies, and reconcile the figures to supporting records

Course Delivery, Duration and Effort

SA Accounting Academy delivers this online short course. The course is divided into 9 modules and is designed to be completed in one and a half weeks. Learners can study at their own pace and access recorded content at any time.

Is this course for you?

This course is suitable for:

• Bookkeepers and accountants responsible for preparing or reviewing income statements
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to understand what their income statement is telling them
• Finance administrators and accounts clerks who process revenue, expense and stock transactions
• Accounting and bookkeeping students building practical, job-ready financial analysis skills
• Anyone seeking a practical introduction to income statement preparation and analysis in a South African context

Lecturer

Ruzel van Jaarsveld

Ruzel van Jaarsveld is a finance professional, business consultant and learning specialist with over 28 years of experience across bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, PAYE, management accounts, eFiling and Human Resources. As a qualified Skills Development Facilitator and experienced Financial Facilitator, she has designed and delivered practical financial workshops nationally for entrepreneurs, business owners and corporate finance teams, and is recognised for her ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable guidance.

Her areas of focus include tax optimisation, business development and online sales and marketing. Ruzel combines technical expertise with a practical, client-centred approach, making her a trusted resource for individuals and organisations seeking confident, solutions-focused financial support.

Prerequisites / Admission Requirements

This course is open to anyone who works in, or intends to work in, a bookkeeping, accounting or small business finance environment. The following are recommended prerequisites:

• Ability to work with basic calculations and financial figures.
• Access to a computer with internet connectivity for online learning.
• Basic understanding of South African business operations.
• Familiarity with basic bookkeeping and financial statement concepts (advantageous but not required).

Assessments

This course includes formative assessments to test knowledge throughout the modules. Learners must achieve all competencies of the course.

Accreditation

This course is aligned with continuous professional development (CPD/CPE) requirements and may qualify for CPD hours with relevant professional bodies.

Assessment and Certification

On successful completion (i.e. competence in all modules) of this course the learner will be awarded:

• Certificate of Completion from SA Accounting Academy

Curriculum

Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction and Basic Concepts
• Module 2: Revenue and Sales Recognition
• Module 3: Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
• Module 4: Operating Expenses and Net Profit
• Module 5: Taxation and Profit After Tax (PAT)
• Module 6: Practical Income Statement Analysis
• Module 7: Reporting and Compliance
• Module 8: Practical Exercises and Case Studies
• Module 9: Income Statement Ratio Analysis

For more information on what will be covered in the curriculum please download the prospectus.

About SA Accounting Academy

The SA Accounting Academy is an accredited private QCTO, SAICA - AT(SA), ICB and BANKSETA qualifications provider. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Qualifications and courses delivered are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and advance your career. With our experienced faculty, staff, and resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training.

SAAA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses.

Course Fees

Invest in your future with our comprehensive course. Our fee is an all-inclusive investment in your future.

The course fee is R 590.00 and consists of:

Educational Resources

• Online Materials: Access a wealth of online resources, from e-books to tutorial videos, enhancing your learning experience.

Learning Support

• Facilitation: Benefit from expert-led facilitation sessions that offer personalised guidance, addressing individual queries and ensuring a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
• Formative Assessments: Reinforce your understanding with assessments on different topics.
• Learner Forum: Engage in meaningful peer-to-peer interactions through our dedicated learner forum. Share insights, ask questions, and collaborate on projects to enhance your learning experience.
• Continuous Support: Our dedicated team is always on standby to assist with any academic or administrative queries, ensuring a smooth learning process.

Flexibility and Convenience

• Study Online: Complete your course and take your assessments online, giving you the freedom to learn from anywhere.