Advanced Diploma in Accountancy

Purpose

The competencies captured in this qualification, which is a combination of theoretical and practical learning outcomes, will provide the learner with a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking practice, theory and methodology followed in accounting.

This qualification will have the defined purpose of capacitating the learner with workplace applicable competencies, and will provide learners with specialised knowledge and skills in accounting, taxation, auditing and business ethics.

Learners successfully mastering these competencies should be able to contribute to the broader society by being able to apply ethically proper accounting, taxation and auditing practices.

The qualifying learner will be capable of

• Demonstrating an integrated understanding of accounting and how it relates to other fields, disciplines and practices.
• Demonstrating a practical understanding of the range of taxation laws as applicable to individuals and corporate entities.
• Demonstrating a practical understanding of integrated auditing within the accounting environment.
• Evaluating the application of business ethics within the accounting environment.

Rationale

This qualification meets the needs of the sector by providing further vocationally directed and intellectually enriching learning in the specialised field of accountancy which will, amongst other things, prepare the learner for further Postgraduate studies.

The typical learner attempting this qualification will have completed a cognate Diploma or Bachelor's Degree and will probably have accumulated a fair amount of workplace experience. This qualification, due to its adherence to the requirements of the HEQF, will allow the learner access to further learning, in the form of a Bachelor's Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8.

The knowledge, skills and cognitive ability demonstrated in a cognate Diploma at NQF Level 6 or Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Care will be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the Recognition of Prior Learning option towards gaining a qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the admission requirements.

Access to the Qualification

Learners registering for this qualification should already have achieved an appropriate Diploma at NQF Level 6 or Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7.

To be awarded the qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 120 Credits at NQF Level 7.

The following learning modules at NQF Level 7 are compulsory

• Accounting, 30 Credits.
• Taxation, 30 Credits.
• Auditing, 30 Credits.
• Mathematics, 15 Credits.
• Business ethics and citizenship, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of accounting and how it relates to other fields, disciplines and practices.
2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of the range of taxation laws as applicable to individuals and corporate entities.
3. Demonstrate a practical understanding of integrated auditing within the accounting environment.
4. Evaluate the application of business ethics within the accounting environment.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes throughout the Exit-Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria should be applied in an integrated manner for all the Exit-Level Outcomes

• Key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories are evaluated within an accounting, taxation and auditing context.
• Integrated practices and procedures are applied within an accounting, taxation and auditing context.
• The appropriate technology is utilised across specialised areas.
• Research skills are applied in an integrated manner.
• Management skills are applied within an ethical manner.
• Knowledge acquired during advanced reflections is transferred into practice.
• An understanding of resource and process management is demonstrated in an integrated context.
• The ability to identify, analyse and solve accounting related problems is demonstrated within an accounting, taxation and auditing context.
• An understanding is demonstrated of socio-economic challenges in Southern Africa.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment will be applied extensively across the modules of learning so as to ensure the integrated achievement of the Exit-Level Outcomes.

Formative assessment will be applied continually throughout the learning pathway of the individual learning outcomes and/or modules.

Summative assessment will be applied to ensure the achievement of each learning outcome and/or module.