Short Course: Mastering Management Accounts


Course Start Date: 13 September 2026

Payment option : Once-off payment

Full course fee: R590.00

Lecturer: Ruzel van Jaarsveld

This online short course gives business owners, bookkeepers and finance teams a practical, structured understanding of how to prepare and use management accounts.

About this Course

This online short course gives business owners, bookkeepers and finance teams a practical, structured understanding of how to prepare and use management accounts. Where statutory financial statements report once a year for compliance purposes, this course focuses on the internal reports that managers rely on every month — the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and the supporting schedules and metrics that sit around them.

Learners work through real South African scenarios: gathering source data and posting adjustments, preparing the three core reports, building supporting schedules such as debtor and creditor age analyses and stock reports, and calculating the profitability, liquidity and efficiency ratios that turn raw figures into decision-useful insight. Every concept is linked back to worked examples and mini case studies, so learners see not just how to prepare a set of management accounts but how they are used to control costs, manage cash flow and support strategic decisions.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to prepare a complete set of management accounts for a business, calculate and interpret key performance metrics, and compile a management accounts reporting pack with executive commentary and recommended actions.

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:

  • Define management accounts and distinguish them from statutory financial accounts
  • Apply the management accounts cycle, from data collection through to the feedback loop
  • Prepare core management reports, including the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement
  • Compile supporting schedules, including debtor and creditor age analyses, stock schedules and payroll summaries
  • Calculate and interpret key profitability, liquidity and efficiency ratios
  • Build variance analyses comparing budgeted and actual performance
  • Design KPI dashboards and trend reports to support management decision-making
  • Compile a complete management accounts reporting pack with executive commentary and action points

Course Delivery, Duration and Effort

This course is delivered fully online through the SA Accounting Academy learning campus and is available on demand, there are no fixed intake dates. Enrolment is open year-round and you get access immediately on registration, so you can start today. The course is divided into 6 modules completed over 2 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:

  • Business owners and managers who want to understand what their monthly numbers are telling them
  • Bookkeepers and accountants moving from statutory reporting into internal management reporting
  • Finance team members responsible for preparing budgets, variance analyses or KPI dashboards
  • Department managers who need to interpret management accounts to control costs and budgets
  • Accounting and bookkeeping students building practical, job-ready financial reporting skills

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: Foundations of Management Accounts
  • Module 2: Preparing a Set of Management Accounts
  • Module 3: The Importance and Uses of Management Accounts
  • Module 4: Enhancing Management Accounts with Reports
  • Module 5: Key Metrics and Performance Indicators
  • Module 6: Practical Application, Reporting Packs and Case Studies

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.


Contact Us

To register for this course: click here.


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