Enter your details below to receive a free course guide and a consultation with an Education Advisor.
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Become a financial all-rounder with the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. You will gain skills across the board from accounting to financial planning, bookkeeping, auditing and payroll.
Whether you’re looking to start your own business, take the next step in your accounting or bookkeeping career, or register as a Business Activity Statement (BAS) Agent, this qualification will give you the knowledge and skills you need to get where you want to go.
In the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, you will learn many beneficial financial skills, including:
The fundamentals of accounting and bookkeeping
How to prepare financial reports and manage operational budgets
How to set up and operate accounting systems (including cloud computing practices)
Managing payroll and preparing business activity statements (BAS)
Customer service standards in the financial industry
Designing and producing business documents
Small business planning
Why study this course?
Open Colleges has designed the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping specifically to reflect current job roles in the bookkeeping and accounting industry and give you the best chance at success.
This course meets the educational requirements set out by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) for registering as a Business Activity Statements (BAS) Agent, as two units are approved by the TPB. Other conditions apply, including a designated period of practical experience.
You will learn a range of financial skills from how to prepare operational budgets and financial reports to setting up and operating accounting systems, managing payroll and preparing Business Activity Statements (BAS).
When you enrol in this course, you will get a free 12-month membership to both the Australian Bookkeepers Network (ABN) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), valued at $400. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best and grow your network.
You will get 24-month exclusive access to Reckon One accounting software, so you can put your new-found skills into practice.
This course has been designed to give you the practical skills and knowledge required to make your mark in the accounting and bookkeeping industry.
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation as you may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and may be able to complete your studies faster.
Potential career outcomes
Accounts Administrator
Accounts Clerk
Accounts Payable Officer
Accounts Receivable Officer
Bookkeeper
Debtors Clerk
Payroll Officer
Extra benefits
When you enrol in this course you will also receive:
To help you stand out from the crowd, enrolment in this course will also get you exclusive access to Reckon One accounting software. This includes:
Access to the ‘Core’, ‘Invoices’ and ‘Payroll’ online modules, along with the print versions for each module.
Access to the extensive Reckon One training video library.
Access to the Reckon One community forum.
Reckon One certification (upon graduation of your course).
Three months free access to the commercial version of Reckon One.
You will need to have completed Year 12, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
A qualification at Certificate III level or higher, OR
Three years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.
Physical requirements
Some assessments will require other participants to act as characters in role plays designed to demonstrate practical and oral communication skills. Students will be required to source and arrange these other participants, participants can be family, friends or workplace colleagues.
Minimum age
You will need to be at least 18 years old.
English
This course involves reading learning content and undertaking a range of written assessments and engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 12 level.
If you haven't successfully completed English at Year 12 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
Successful completion of a Nationally Recognised Training qualification at Certificate III level or higher; or
3 years relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication
Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to by Open Colleges.
Computing
You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are:
All users:
Microsoft Office 2010 or equivalent
Broadband internet connection
2GB of RAM
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Adobe Reader XI or equivalent
Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher
Access to printer and associated software
Access to scanner and associated software
Digital imaging software
File compression software
Windows users:
Microsoft Windows 7 or higher (Windows 8 recommended)
1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
Mac OS users:
Mac OSX v10.5 or higher (Mac OSX v10.6 recommended)
1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
Audio Visual
Learners will need access to software to view online videos and images. Software such as Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Viewer etc. are available as a free download from the internet.
As well as access to digital video recording device and/or digital camera and associated software to save and upload video and image files to OpenSpace. Many mobile phone and smart phones include this technology and OpenSpace provided an in platform recording function.
Skills
To successfully complete this course, learners will require basic computing skills. This includes:
Creating, saving and editing Microsoft Office documents
Accessing and searching the internet
Downloading and saving documents from websites
Uploading documents through websites
Participating in online discussions
Compressing image files
Other technology requirements
Office equipment and resources including telephone, photocopier, scanner and printer.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy
Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.
Once you are enrolled in this course, you will receive access to the first Module, which contains the first set of units for the course. When you have successfully completed those units, you'll be given access to the next Module.
Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Please download the course guide for current information about the course and its status.
Foundations in accounting and bookkeeping
FNSACC311
Process financial transactions and extract interim reports
Check and verify supporting documentation
Prepare and process banking and petty cash documents
Prepare and process payable and received invoices
Prepare journals
Update financial data and systems
Prepare deposit facility and lodge flows
Finalise trial balance and interim reports
Preparing ledgers
FNSACC312
Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers
Review accounts receivable requirements
Identify bad and doubtful debts
Review client compliance with terms and conditions and plan recovery action
Prepare reports and file documentation
Distribute creditor invoices for authorisation
Remit payments to creditors
Reconcile outstanding balances
Financial reporting
BSBFIA401
Prepare financial reports
Maintain asset register
Record general journal entries for balance day adjustments
Prepare final general ledger accounts
Prepare end of period financial reports
Requirements for non-reporting entities
FNSACC414
Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities
Compile data required for preparing financial statements for non-reporting entities
Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities
Cloud-based computing
BSBSMB412
Introduce cloud computing into business operations
Review computing needs in the business
Investigate cloud computing services to meet business needs
Develop a plan to introduce cloud computing
Support implementation of the plan
Computerised accounting systems
FNSACC416
Set up and operate a computerised accounting system
Implement integrated accounting system
Process transactions in system
Maintain system
Produce reports
Managing payroll
This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator which stipulate that a significant amount (at least 40%) must be completed under some form of independent supervision.
FNSTPB402
Establish and maintain payroll systems
Establish payroll requirements
Record payroll data
Prepare and process payroll
Handle payroll enquiries
Maintain payroll
This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator which stipulate that a significant amount (at least 40%) must be completed under some form of independent supervision.
Managing business activity statements
This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator which stipulate that a significant amount (at least 40%) must be completed under some form of independent supervision.
FNSTPB401
Complete business activity and instalment activity statements
Identify compliance and other requirements applicable to business activity
Analyse and apply industry codes of conduct associated with work activities
Review and apply goods and services tax (GST) implications and code transactions
Report on payroll activities and amounts withheld
Reconcile and prepare activity statement
Lodge activity statement
This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator which stipulate that a significant amount (at least 40%) must be completed under some form of independent supervision.
Implement Customer Service Standards
BSBCUS403
Implement customer service standards
Contribute to quality customer service standards
Implement customer service systems
Implement team customer service standards
Working effectively in financial services
FNSACC408
Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
Develop professional working relationships
Identify compliance requirements and support materials
Set up and maintain systems to meet compliance requirements
Work autonomously or in a team to complete work activities
If you choose to pay your course fees up-front in full, you’ll benefit from a 15% discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Pay 50% Deposit
If you choose to pay 50% of your course fees up-front, you'll benefit from 50% of the standard (or advertised) discount.
Payment Plan
Pay for your course in weekly or fortnightly instalments. By paying in instalments, you can schedule your payments around your regular outgoings and get ahead without breaking the bank. Open Colleges payment plans are interest-free.
zipMoney Payment Plan
If you need a little more flexibility in your finances, and want to pay off your course fees over a longer period of time, we can assist by organising zipMoney to pay your course fees directly to us on your behalf, and you pay this loan back to ZipMoney over a period of agreed time with them. zipMoney provides you flexible options of selecting a 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free payment plan (dependant on which course you are enrolling into) to suit your lifestyle, giving you more flexibility than ever before.
BPAY®
With BPAY®, you’re able to pay quickly and securely, 24/7 through your Internet, mobile or phone banking service. You can choose when, how much and from which account to pay from - whatever works for you. BPAY® is only available when paying in full. Call an Enrolment Consultant to find out more.
BPAY® is a trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. Check if BPAY® is right for you by reading the terms and conditions available from your Financial Institution.
Kimberly has over 11 years’ experience in training and assessment in tertiary and vocational education and training institutes. She has also run her own public accounting and tax practice for over two years, after 10 years of working in tax and accounting field. Kimberly holds a Masters of Business Administration majoring in Professional Accounting and is a Certified Professional Accountant with a passion for teaching.
Peter McClatchey
Peter McClatchey has spent 23 years as a chartered accountant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has specialised in the financial services industry, providing accounting, audit and consulting services to a wide variety of industry leading superannuation, funds management and insurance clients. He has also been heavily involved in the development and delivery of accounting and audit training programs for all levels of staff. He has lived and worked in a variety of countries, including Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Fiji, providing accounting and audit services.
Rebecca Carnell
Rebecca has worked in management accounting, training and educational product development roles over the last 8 years. She has provided bookkeeping and management accounting services to small to medium size businesses and developed and audited VET learning material and assessments.
Further to Rebecca’s accounting and vocational and education experience, she holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Diploma of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting.
Suellen Freeman
Suellen has a broad range of experience in both auditing and accounting, including managing her own business and co-authoring two accounting text books in introductory accounting and financial accounting.
Suellen has been in education for over 30 years, working with students nationally and internationally. Currently, she is self-employed as Treasurer of her Body Corporate and is actively involved in the accounting process of her building management.
Students of this course will receive a membership to these organisation(s)
Australian Bookkeepers Network (ABN) has been renowned as an innovative industry leader since 2001. Their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of Bookkeepers by providing a supportive community, unique tools and resources that enable Bookkeepers to make well-informed, strategic business decisions and stay ahead in their industry.
Australian Bookkeepers Association (ABA) is a government recognised independent association for Bookkeepers. ABA aims to provide members with credibility, professional accreditation, representation and facilitated training. Once your qualification is completed, ABA helps members by reducing the hours required of relevant experience when applying/renewing a BAS agent registration with the Tax Practitioners Board.
How do both memberships work?
Your ABN membership gives you access to the online resource centre that will save you time, will provide you with the help, support and information that you need, when you need it, so that you can make the right decisions.
Your ABA membership is included ABN membership and gives you recognition as a member of a professional association with relevant government bodies.
Benefits include:
Access to ABN helpline, ABN discussion forum and coffee club
Unlimited to access to the Bookkeepers Knowledge Base
Access to Ready Reckoner
Access to multiple industry bulletins and newsletters
The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is one of Australia's oldest representative professional bodies, formed in 1923. It is one of the three legally recognised professional bodies for accountants in Australia.[1] The IPA represents more than 35,000 members and students working in industry, commerce, government, academia and professional practice.
Membership benefits include:
Access to IFAC knowledge net
Access to continuing professional development events
Course Details
Requirements
Subjects
Payment Options
Trainers
Industry Connections
Extra Benefits
