Short Course: Reconciliations for Bookkeepers


Course Start Date: 19 August 2026

Payment option : Once-off payment

Full course fee: R590.00

Lecturer: Ruzel van Jaarsveld

This online short course provides participants with a practical introduction to reconciling the accounts that keep a South African business financially accurate and SARS-compliant.

About this Course

This online short course provides participants with a practical introduction to reconciling the accounts that keep a South African business financially accurate and SARS-compliant. The course is designed to equip bookkeepers, accountants, small business owners and finance staff with the knowledge and skills to reconcile bank, debtors, creditors, payroll, VAT and balance sheet accounts confidently and correctly.

The course covers the core building blocks of bookkeeping reconciliation: what reconciliation is and why it matters, bank and petty cash reconciliation, debtors and creditors reconciliation, payroll reconciliation against SARS submissions, VAT reconciliation against the VAT201 return, month-end balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring income statement accuracy and consistency, and maintaining a fixed asset register with the journal entries that support it.

Learners will work through each topic in practical terms: preparing a bank reconciliation statement, resolving common debtors discrepancies, reconciling a supplier statement to the creditors ledger, matching payroll records to EMP201 and EMP501 submissions, reconciling VAT input and output figures, and recording the monthly journals for fixed asset acquisitions, depreciation and disposals.

Particular attention is given to the practical, day-to-day discipline of reconciliation — gathering the right documents, identifying and investigating discrepancies, making the correct adjustments and documenting the reconciliation for audit purposes — so that learners can apply these skills immediately in their own bookkeeping practice.

By the end of the course, participants will have a confident working knowledge of bookkeeping reconciliation, enabling them to protect their employer's or client's cash, detect and prevent fraud, stay SARS-compliant and produce financial records that stand up to audit.


Learning Objectives

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain what bookkeeping reconciliation is and why it is essential for accurate financial records, tax compliance and fraud prevention in a South African context
  • Perform bank and petty cash reconciliations, identifying timing differences and bank-only transactions and preparing a reconciliation statement
  • Reconcile debtors (accounts receivable) accounts, investigating and correcting common discrepancies such as timing differences, mispostings and duplicate payments
  • Reconcile creditors (accounts payable) accounts against supplier statements and resolve common causes of variance
  • Reconcile payroll records against the general ledger and SARS EMP201/EMP501 submissions
  • Reconcile VAT input and output figures against the general ledger and VAT201 return
  • Perform month-end balance sheet account reconciliations across cash, debtors, creditors, inventory, fixed assets, loans, accruals and prepayments
  • Apply the controls and checks needed to ensure income statement accuracy and consistency from period to period
  • Maintain and reconcile a fixed asset register to the general ledger, including journal entries for acquisitions, depreciation, improvements and disposals
  • Apply South African best practice and SARS compliance requirements throughout the reconciliation process

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 week. 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 reconciling accounts and preparing management accounts
  • Small business owners and entrepreneurs who manage their own books and want confidence in their numbers
  • Finance administrators, accounts clerks and payroll administrators
  • Accounting and bookkeeping students building practical, job-ready skills
  • Anyone seeking a practical introduction to bookkeeping reconciliation 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 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: Bank and Petty Cash Reconciliation
  • Module 3: Debtors Reconciliation
  • Module 4: Creditors Reconciliation
  • Module 5: Payroll Reconciliation
  • Module 6: VAT Reconciliation
  • Module 7: Month-End Balance Sheet Reconciliations
  • Module 8: Ensuring Income Statement Accuracy and Consistency
  • Module 9: The Fixed Asset Register and Journal Entries

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.

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 590.00


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.


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