28 June 2024
Gain real, practical skills for accounting in twenty weeks and get set for landing a job.
Bob Cherney, one of our Advanced Skills Lecturers, has taught accounting at SM TAFE for seven years. He loves his job and has seen hundreds of students graduate with qualifications to get them started in accounts-focused roles.
Accounting can sometimes get a bad rap as a boring job but once you learn the art of debits, credits, balance sheets and profit/loss, you’ve got a base skill that is recognised worldwide and needed in every industry.
Bob says that the benefit of doing an accounting course at SM TAFE is that students gain practical skills to get them started straight away in a job, rather than focusing on theory and legislation.
“You’ll jump in and learn how to process payroll, lodge a BAS (Business Activity Statement) and reconcile accounts receivable or payable. Students are trained on programs utilised in industry such as MYOB and XERO.
“At SM TAFE we are teaching “the how”, in less expensive courses with smaller class sizes. Plus you’ll be guided step by step by experienced lecturers in the field,” Bob explained.
Originally from the United States, Bob visited Perth 13 years ago on a holiday visa and didn’t want to leave. Bob has an MBA (Master of Business Administration) along with a Masters degree in Accounting, and has worked extensively in the field in tax agencies, as a bookkeeper and run his own business.
With his vast experience and training, Bob places high value on the content and delivery experienced in SM TAFE courses, saying the knowledge equips students to standout in the job market with a qualification that is known to cover the bases.
“If you’re straight out of high school and looking for a job, you can go to TAFE and gain a practical skillset in areas from accounting(opens in a new tab) to bricklaying(opens in a new tab) to beauty(opens in a new tab) , or train to become an electrician(opens in a new tab) or a cook(opens in a new tab) – whatever you are interested in, Bob said. “The beauty of it is, you’ll be equipped to get started straight away in a job,”.
He also explained that you don’t need to be a maths genius to be an accountant, but need a basic standard of maths and will be taught how to read data, interpret numbers and make decisions.
“Accounting is like a tree – you’re learning the base at TAFE and there’s lots of different branches you can explore. We are teaching you the foundations to help you kick off your career,” he added.
A nationally-recognised accounting qualification can pave the way to many industries - think mining, government, retail, tax advice, hospitality or auditing. Our business and finance(opens in a new tab) courses are also ideal for business owners wanting to build skills in accounting to manage their business.
Be more and start your career in finance
Take the first step with a basic entry level course such as the FNS30322 Certificate III in Accounts Administration(opens in a new tab) to get started as an accounts assistant, accounts clerk or payroll junior.
The FNS40222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping(opens in a new tab) is a slightly higher- level course that will qualify you for roles such as accountants receivable officer or payroll officer and meets the educational requirements for registration as a Bookkeeper with the Tax Practitioners Board. (Other requirements for registration apply.)
If you're already in the finance industry and looking to upskill, we also offer the FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting (opens in a new tab) and FNS60222 Advanced Diploma of Accounting.(opens in a new tab)
Did you know? The Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping is offered at six of our campuses including Armadale, Bentley, Murdoch, Mandurah, Rockingham and Thornlie.