Short Course in Claude for Accountants

About this Course

This online short course gives participants a practical, hands-on introduction to using Claude safely and effectively in an accounting practice. Claude can now work inside spreadsheets and Word documents, click through websites in a browser, connect to accounting software such as Xero, and work through a whole folder of files unattended. This course covers where the guardrails go and how to review what Claude produces, before it is let anywhere near live client files.

The course works through Anthropic’s Claude one version at a time: Claude Chat, Artifacts and Claude Design, the Microsoft 365 add-ins, Claude in Chrome, Claude Cowork and Claude Code. It is hands-on from the first module, and every practical task includes a review step, because the learner is the one who signs off on the result.

In Module 9, the presenter explains why she built her own tools with Claude Code and how to judge when a task is worth building a tool for. In Module 10, she takes learners inside her own Claude assistant system and helps them build their own.

The course is written specifically for South African accountants, auditors, bookkeepers and tax practitioners, although accounting professionals elsewhere will also benefit from it. No coding experience is needed and learners who have never opened Claude before can start right at the beginning.

Delivered fully online and on demand, the course has no fixed intake dates. You can enrol at any time and start immediately.

Learning Objectives

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Set Claude up before any client work goes near it, and choose a plan with your confidentiality duties and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) in mind
• Write prompts and set up Projects for recurring work, and review Claude’s answers against the source documents
• Build and test small tools, such as a loan repayment calculator, and decide what may be shared and with whom
• Use Claude for Excel, Claude for Word and Claude in Chrome with the right mode or permissions set before it does anything, and evaluate what an accounting software connector (such as Xero’s) can read or change
• Hand a multi-step task to Claude Cowork and review the result against the source documents
• use Claude Code in VS Code for file tasks, with no coding needed, and decide when a job is worth building a tool for
• Build a small tool of your own with Claude Code, such as a bank statement checker that runs as a single web page, test it against answers you worked out yourself, and add a hook that protects a folder
• Build a simple Claude assistant system for your own work, with an improvement loop so your corrections become rules it follows next time
• Design, test and document your own Claude-assisted workflow, with a review control, as your capstone

Course Delivery, Duration and Effort

SA Accounting Academy delivers this online short course. The course is divided into 11 modules, each with a short video introduction, a lesson with practical “Do this now” tasks and check questions, a discussion forum and a ten-question assessment The course is divided into 11 modules completed over 12 weeks at your own pace, with a required effort of 4 to 6 hours per week. This way you can maintain a work-life balance whilst studying and improving your professional skills. Go faster if you have the time, slower if life is busy.

Is this course for you?

This course is suitable for:

• Accountants, auditors, bookkeepers and tax practitioners in practice or in business
• Practice owners and managers deciding how their firm should use AI and what to put in place first
• Anyone who has completed SA Accounting Academy’s Short Course in AI for Accountants and wants to go deep on one tool

Lecturer

Nestene Botha CA(SA)

Nestene Botha CA(SA) is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) who provides AI training and advisory work to the accounting profession through Explore ProTech. She presents SA Accounting Academy’s AI for Accountants: Monthly Update & Implementation Lab and has presented more than 60 CPD webinars to South African accounting professionals.

She was named one of SAICA’s Top 35 under 35 in 2018 and won the Best Paper Award at the Southern African Accounting Association Central Region Conference 2026. Modules 9 and 10 of this course draw on tools she has built with Claude Code and her own Claude assistant system.

Prerequisites / Admission Requirements

This course is open to anyone who works in, or intends to work in, an accounting, audit, bookkeeping or tax practice environment. The following are recommended:

• A computer with internet access. Some practical exercises need the Claude desktop app or VS Code.
• A Claude account. Learners can start on the free plan but a paid plan (Pro or higher) is recommended, since some practical tasks from Module 3 onwards use features the free plan doesn’t include.
• No coding experience is required and learners who have never used Claude before can start right at the beginning.

This recommendation is about the course tasks, not client work: the Free, Pro and Max plans all fall under Anthropic’s Consumer Terms and Module 2 explains what that means for client information. Plans and prices change often, so check Anthropic’s plans page before signing up.

Assessments

This course includes a discussion forum for every module, where learners share what they tried and reply to two other participants, and a ten-question assessment. Learners need 80% to pass each assessment and may attempt it as many times as needed. All practical work uses a fictional practice, Fynbos & Partners, and its clients, so learners never need to put real client information into Claude to complete 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

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 5 850 .00 and consists of:

Educational Resources

• Online Materials: Access video lessons, practical “Do this now” exercises and check questions for every module.

Learning Support

• Facilitation: Benefit from a presenter-led course with a short video introduction for every module.
• Formative Assessments: Reinforce your understanding with a ten-question assessment for every module, which you can attempt as many times as you need to reach 80%.
• Learner Forum: Engage in meaningful peer-to-peer interactions through a dedicated discussion forum for every module, where you share what you tried and reply to two other participants.
• 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 assessments online, giving you the freedom to learn from anywhere, at your own pace.

Payment Methods

Debit / Credit Card or Instant EFT

You can pay directly on our website for an easy, secure, and instant transaction. During promotional periods, customers can take advantage of additional savings. This is the fastest and most efficient option, saving both time and money.

EFT / Bank Deposit

You can make a payment directly into our bank account using your Online Banking App, Online Banking services, or by visiting your local bank branch.

Your Company / Employer

It may be beneficial for your company to invest in training for its staff members. As there are financial and tax advantages for doing so, please speak with your employer or Training / HR manager about the possibility of paying for this training.

Third Party

If you have someone who is willing to pay for your studies, such as a parent or relative, they can either log in and pay on our website or they can pay via any of the payment options above on your behalf.

Payment Terms

Once off payment – R 5 850.00

Corporate Training Solutions

At SA Accounting Academy, we recognise the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in accounting and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritise hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at corporate@accountingacademy.co.za or call 010 593 0466. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organisational goals.

Contact Us

• Online chat through our website www.accountingacademy.co.za
• WhatsApp: Start chatting (+27635026114)
• Phone: 010 593 0466
• E-mail: support@accountingacademy.co.za