Advanced Diploma: Accounting Sciences

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to

• Provide learners with intellectual enrichment in the field of accounting sciences.
• Provide learners with an advanced understanding of current thinking, theory and methodology in the field of accounting sciences.
• Give those learners with Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting Sciences, but not accredited by Professional Accounting Bodies, or those with Diplomas in Accounting Sciences, or equivalent, the opportunity to proceed to Postgraduate studies accredited by such Professional Bodies.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma: Accounting Sciences is for learners whose Diploma or Bachelor's Degree is not accredited by the Professional Body of their choice, to gain access to recognised Postgraduate qualifications. Learners with either a Diploma: Accounting Sciences or its equivalent, or a non-accredited Bachelor's Degree in Commerce or in Accounting, may use this qualification as a vehicle to obtain the required admission to the institution's Postgraduate programmes.

Learners who register for this qualification

• Have good reading and writing skills at the required NQF Level.
• Are able to analyse and respond to a variety of texts.
• Are able to learn independently in an Open and Distance Learning context (ODL) with minimum support.
• Have a detailed knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies in the disciplines of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment. Unisa lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes.

Access to Qualification

• A Diploma: Accounting Sciences.
• Recognition of Prior Learning.

Ten modules, at NQF Level 7, each totalling 12 Credits, must be completed to be awarded the qualification.

Compulsory modules

• General financial reporting, 12 Credits.
• Application of management accounting techniques, 12 Credits.
• Application of financial management techniques, 12 Credits.
• Taxation of business activities, 12 Credits.

Total: 48 credits

Elective modules - six modules must be completed, i.e., the specified modules for the spesialisation of choice, plus any other of the Elective modules to complete the required six modules.

NB: Candidates may NOT select both Auditing and Internal Auditing as specialisations.

• Strategic planning 3A, 12 Credits.
• Specific financial reporting, 12 Credits.
• Group financial reporting, 12 Credits.
• Selected accounting and financial management techniques, 12 Credits.
• Substantive procedures and finalising an audit, 12 Credits.
• The internal audit process: Tests of controls, 12 Credits.
• The internal audit process: Specific engagements and reporting, 12 Credits.
• Managing the internal audit activity, 12 Credits.
• Taxation of individuals, 12 Credits.
• Tax administration and verification, 12 Credits.
• Strategy implementation 3B, 12 Credits.
• Audit planning and test of controls, 12 Credits.
• The internal audit process: Planning the engagement, 12 Credits.
• Distinctive financial reporting, 12 Credits.

Learners must select electives in the following manner

• Postgraduate Diploma: Accounting Sciences - select Financial Accounting; Auditing and Taxation.
• Postgraduate Diploma: Financial Accounting or Forensic Auditing or Computer Auditing - select at least: Financial Accounting.
• Postgraduate Diploma: Management Accounting - select Financial Accounting; Management Accounting; Internal Auditing and Strategic Management (Strategic planning 3A and Strategy implementation 3B).
• Postgraduate Diploma: Internal Auditing or Forensic Auditing or Computer Auditing - select Internal Auditing and Strategic Management.
• Postgraduate Diploma: Taxation - select at least the modules: Financial Accounting; Internal Auditing and Taxation.

1. Use disciplinary- and interdisciplinary-based information to take an informed stand with regard to accounting, business and trade policies.
2. Practice the ethics pertinent to Accounting, Business, Commerce and Management and in particular, those pertinent to an Accountant and Independent Auditor.
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theories and practices pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation.
4. Explain the ramifications of accounting and economic policy and business decisions in a language which is accessible to the general public and various stakeholders in the business community.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in managing the applied accounting sciences' activity and an ability to conduct applied accounting engagements, both assurance and consulting, in diverse business environments.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

Critical Cross-Fields Outcomes are covered throughout the qualification.

The Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable in an integrated way across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Evaluate, interpret and generate information pertinent to Accounting Science in and from a variety of sources.
• Apply the knowledge and understanding of ethics implied by corporate governance principles.
• Apply the knowledge and understanding of ethics prescribed by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to act professionally and ethically for clients, employees and the world at large.
• Analyse, evaluate and apply advanced business, commerce and management theories and principles to practical situations.
• Customise and adapt international business, commerce and management practices and theories to South African requirements.
• Identify problems in the Accounting, Auditing and Taxation fields and related disciplines.
• Develop appropriate solutions to the identified problems in the applied accounting sciences' context.
• Formulate appropriate responses to resolve both concrete and abstract problems that accountants and auditors are normally confronted with.
• Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the nature and theory of specific audit engagements and the applied accounting processes.
• Apply advanced judgemental processes to identify and plan applied accounting assignments for the applied accounting activity.
• Demonstrate knowledge of information technology, risk based auditing, control frameworks and control systems to adequately perform audit assignments and to advise management and audit committees on appropriate practice.
• Analyse and evaluate financial operations within organisations.
• Analyse and test control and advising on control systems.
• Conduct advanced and specialised engagement procedures, report findings and follow up on the implementation of applied accounting activities.
• Establish activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.
• Manage activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.
• Monitor the quality of work performed within the activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.

Integrated Assessment

To be awarded this qualification, a candidate must achieve each of the compulsory modules and the requisite number of elective modules.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the ability to engage in the correctional operations selected in an integrative way, dealing effectively with divergent and "random" demands related to these work operations. Evidence is required that the candidate is able to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole, at the time of the award of the qualification.

Assessors will give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

Each module completed during this qualification will have two assessment components, namely

• Formative assessment: learning and assessment are integrated. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks and feedback. The scheme of work includes assignments based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and a limited number of outcomes.
• Summative assessment: examinations or equivalent assessment such as a portfolio of a representative selection of outcomes practiced and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learners' ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.
• Integrated assessment: All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence.