Advanced Diploma in Accounting

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Accounting is to equip learners with intermediate knowledge, proficiency and pervasive skills. Which will enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility and which will allow the development of practical and operational focussed qualities.

The qualification aims to provide learners with the necessary intermediate knowledge, competence and skills to work in an accountancy environment. Understand the world of work, be confident about their value and have a higher than average chance of being employed.

Rationale

The qualification builds on the skills and knowledge acquired at the Diploma in Accounting Level 6. The qualification will provide advanced accountancy knowledge and skills to ensure competency in performing reporting functions. Rendering taxation services, management advisory services and assurance on a professional accounting level and further integrate the required skills and knowledge into a computerised an accounting, taxation, management and auditing software qualifications.

The qualification is designed with the view to serve the requirements of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the Association of Accounting Technicians (SA), the South African Professional Accountants (SAIPA), the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT), the South African Institute of Internal Auditors (SAIIA), the Association of Certified Chartered Accounts (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The qualification will enable learners to register with the above professional bodies for a professional qualification.

The qualification further seeks to equip learners with management accounting skills and knowledge, thereby satisfying the national demand for public and private sector accounting technicians.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A learner who does not meet the formal admission requirements of the qualification with the modules

• Financial accounting,
• Management accounting and finance,
• Taxation,
• Auditing.

However, if the learner has sufficient formal, non-formal and informal training or has developed requisite skills in the field of accounting, will be allowed to apply for admission.

The assessment of RPL of a learner for the Advanced Diploma in Accounting will follow the university's rules and procedures for assessment of such RPL.

A learner shall submit an official application form for RPL accompanied by a portfolio of evidence to determine how they meet the criteria for an RPL admission into the qualification.

It will be only after successful completion of the required modules at NQF Level 6 that a learner will attain credit via RPL.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Accounting, Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 128 Credits

• Financial Accounting III, 32 Credits.
• Taxation III, 32 Credits.
• Management Accounting and Finance, 32 Credits.
• Auditing, 32 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a solid knowledge base across the core disciplines of accountancy, namely, financial accounting, management accounting, taxation and auditing.
2. Acquire knowledge of and demonstrate competence in all areas of Financial Accounting.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and competence in all areas of Cost and Management Accounting.
4. Acquire an understanding of Information Systems in business.
5. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature of law and an appreciation of the role of law within which an accountant operates.
6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Management Accounting Control systems.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of corporate strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Understand and demonstrate the accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
• Apply the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
• Interpret Cost and Management reports for analysis and control.
• Identify and critically appreciates appropriate Management Accounting techniques for decision-making, planning and control; and applies these techniques in the generation of Management Accounting reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Illustrate competence in the principles, concepts and conventions underlying and Accounting.
• Demonstrate the enhanced competence and skills required for a successful career in Bookkeeping and Accounting in Commerce, Industry and Practice.
• Demonstrate competence in fundamental and more advanced financial accounting practices over a range of topic areas.
• Show proficiency in the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Understand and demonstrate the Cost and Management Accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
• Apply the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
• Interpret Cost and Management reports for analysis and control.
• Identifies and critically appreciates appropriate Management Accounting techniques for decision-making, planning and control; and applies these techniques in the generation of Management Accounting reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Show an understanding of Information Systems in business and how they assist management decision by helping accountants to achieve organisational objectives and thus improve performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain the operation of the Legal System concerning Common Law, Equity and Judicial Precedent, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Statute Law, Case Law and EC Law.
• Explain the role of courts and other methods of Dispute Resolution as they apply to business.
• Identifies describes and distinguishes between relevant legislation affecting the Accountant.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Display knowledge and understanding of the application of Management Accounting control and decision-making techniques, which enables him/her to communicate more effectively as an Accountant.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Understand the principal concepts and models used in the Strategic Management process and their contribution to improving business performance.

Evaluates and applies the concepts and models used in the Strategic Management process to diagnose, analyse and understand organisational problems.

Integrated Assessment

All assessments will comply with the assessment policy of the university. Formative assessments are internally moderated whereas summative assessments are externally moderated.

Formative assessments

There will be four (4) formative assessments, in the form of tests, during the one year period of the qualification. There will be no assignments, no projects or practicals.

The three (3) formative assessments will have equal weighting, namely 33%; 33% and 33%. The forth (4th) formative assessment will be a sick, an aegrotat or a replacement assessment.

The three (3) best formative assessments will contribute a forty (40%) per cent of the qualification mark.

Summative assessments

The summative assessment shall consist of a one hundred eighty (180) minutes final examination, held at the end of the academic period of learning. The summative assessment shall contribute sixty (60%) per cent of the final assessment mark.