Advanced Diploma in Accounting

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide an efficient qualification for non-accounting learners to become Chartered Accountants This is in line with the general purpose of an Advanced Diploma according to the HEQSF; that is to strengthen and deepen the learner's knowledge in a particular discipline or profession, or enhance flexibility in the event of a change in circumstance, thus enabling change in career path. Non-accounting learners are provided an efficient route to completing the relevant university qualifications required to be eligible to pursue the Chartered Accountant qualification.

The qualification is a response to the SAICA document which requires all Chartered Accountants to hold a first Degree but not necessarily require that the degree be accounting related. The aim is to equip learners with advanced knowledge in the accounting field to be able to perform exceedingly and to improve competency.

The Advanced Diploma is directly linked to opportunities for employment to learners who have a diverse educational background particularly in view of the requirement for integrated reporting and combined assurance providers.

The qualifying learner will be able to

• Understand and manipulate quantitative information provided in tables, graphs and sets of equations.
• Understand and internalise as a personal value the importance of conducting professional activity within the scope of national, provincial, municipal and international law.
• Conduct systematic research aimed at providing answers to questions whose resolutions are not antecedently known, or to verifying answers that are assumed on the basis of "accepted wisdom".
• Produce written text of descriptive, prescriptive, or argumentative character to accepted international standards in his or her specific field of training.
• Understand when and how to acknowledge the limitations of his/her own expertise and elicit the more appropriate expertise of others.
• Appreciate the importance of life-long learning and the importance of self-initiative in pursuing it.

Rationale

Currently there is no accelerated qualification in South Africa that offers learners from other disciplines the opportunity to complete the relevant university qualifications required to be eligible to pursue the Chartered Accountant qualification. This qualification would provide the opportunity to such learners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The university supports the RPL policy intervention to widen access into different qualifications. Admission through this route though depends on a variety of factors including the availability of places and the significance of a qualification to the country's economy.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission

• A recognised Bachelors' Degree with 65% in the final year.

The qualification consists of 5 compulsory modules totalling 200 Credits.

Modules

• Financial Reporting Conversion, 72 Credits.
• Managerial Accounting and Finance Conversion, 45 Credits.
• Corporate Governance Conversion, 35 Credits.
• Taxation Conversion, 30 Credits.
• Business Analysis and Governance Conversion, 18 Credits.

1. Understand and manipulate quantitative information provided in tables, graphs and sets of equations.
2. Understand and internalise as a personal value the importance of conducting professional activity within the scope of national, provincial, municipal and international law.
3. Conduct systematic research aimed at providing answers to questions whose resolutions are not antecedently known, or to verifying answers that are assumed on the basis of "accepted wisdom".
4. Produce written text of descriptive, prescriptive, or argumentative character to accepted international standards in his or her specific field of training.
5. Understand when and how to acknowledge the limitations of his/her own expertise and elicit the more appropriate expertise of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Financial statements for a wide range of organisational forms (incorporated enterprises, sole traders, partnerships, group structures) are interpreted.
• Information necessary for effective cost management is calculated, recorded and reported on.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The regulatory framework within which a professional accountant or auditor operates is identified and applied.
• The laws guiding the applications within the profession are observed and adhered to.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• An audit approach in a practical scenario is formulated.
• Simple financial models are built and evaluate, and assumptions are tested.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Appropriate reports for regulatory bodies and the different levels of management are prepared.
• Financially related information is prepared, produced and presented in a logical format according to generally accepted accounting principles and applicable standards of disclosure or reporting (e.g. JSE, Companies Act, etc.).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• New contexts are adapted to and constructive change promoted.

Integrated Assessment

Each module will have formative assignments, ranging from weekly submissions to quarterly tests, and summative exams. The results of the assignments held during the year will constitute the year mark for the qualification and this will constitute between 40 and 45% of the final mark. A final examination will be written in each course, this will form between 55 and 60% of the final mark. These final examinations will be the same papers as written by final year learners of the Bachelor of Commerce in chartered accountants stream learners.