Institute.co.za has a number of institutes that are listed as its partners. These institutes can be divided into two groups: Institutes that are professional bodies and institutes that provide learning. So, in other words, to obtain accreditation with one of the institutes that are professional bodies, you must first study through an institute of learning. Let’s look at the partners that are professional bodies.

Institutes as professional bodies

• The South African Institute of Draughting

This institute was established in 1953 to provide technical and academic qualifications for people wishing to obtain a qualification in Draughting, which is the technical drawing of buildings and other structures. People with this qualification often work with architects and engineers. To learn more about this institute, visit its website at http://www.said.co.za.

• Pastel Accounting

Pastel Accounting is an institute that is an industry leader in the development of financial and business computer software. It is part of the Softline group, which has offices in South Africa and the United Kingdom and is used by more than 180 000 businesses worldwide. If you are interested in a career in which you merge computer science and finance, it would be a good idea to browse the Pastel website at http://www.pastel.co.za.

• Comptia

Information technology has become an integral part of world business today and CompTIA's membership clearly shows this. The institute’s membership includes manufacturers, ISPs, ASPs, software developers, e-commerce, distributors, resellers, solution providers and telecom companies. This institute aims to develop new technology and improve its members’ skills level. Accordingly, it offers access to industry research and developed standards to all its members. Learn more about Comptia at http://www.comptia.co.za.

• Fasset

This institute is the Sector Education and Training Authority for the financial sector in South Africa. This includes accounting, financial services and management consulting. The goal of the SETA is to establish this sector as the sector of choice for students when deciding which career to pursue. It co-operates with the South African Quality Association and other SETAS to ensure that a high quality of education is sustained. If you want to work in finance and place a high premium on education, visit the Fasset website at http://www.fasset.org.za.

• Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

This institute is the independent professional body that looks after the affairs of secretaries and administrators worldwide. This institute was founded almost 110 years ago and is today still the leading professional body for company secretaries and corporate administrators. If this is a field you are interested in, learn more about ICSA at http://www.icsa.co.za.

• Institute of Business Studies

The Institute of Business studies concerns itself with quality assurance. Its main goal is to assess and monitor that all students and professional practitioners who have achieved business qualifications actually meet the standards required by the industry satisfactorily. To learn more about its activities, visit the institute’s website at http://www.ibus.co.za.

• The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is a partner of Fasset and aims to promote bookkeeping qualifications and membership to a professional body for South African students. This institute provides professional examinations and assessments for bookkeepers who would like to have their qualifications endorsed by a respected international institute, as the ICB also has professional partner institutes in the United Kingdom. To learn more about the institute, visit its website at http://www.icb.org.za.

• South African Institute of Management

The South African Institute of Management is a professional body that tries to create good, competent leaders in management positions. It provides a forum for both managers and students alike to exchange ideas and acquire new information about management best practices. If you want to know more about this institute or apply for membership, please visit its website at http://www.saim.co.za

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

CIMA is the world’s foremost and largest professional institute for management accountant. Membership of this institute depends on the student passing a number of highly specialized examinations, to ensure that only the best accountants can be seen as CIMA accredited. With CIMA qualifications, management accountants can work anywhere in the world and are highly sought after. If you want to know more about the levels of CIMA examinations, please visit the website at http://www.cimaglobal.com.