Advanced Occupational Diploma: Financial Administration Manager

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Financial Administration Manager.

A Financial Administration Manager manages, coordinates, and oversees the financial administration activities, compiles financial reports in compliance with Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), mentors and coaches' staff, handles financial queries and implement corrective measures within the scope of operation. A competent candidate shall demonstrate among others the following attributes: honesty, punctuality, initiative, critical analysis, integrity, ethics, and professionalism.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Coordinate, recommend and advise on financial administration processes and procedures.
• Manage compliance with the financial administration processes.
• Mentor and coach financial administrative staff.
• Compile financial administration reports for the finance manager.
• Implement corrective and accurate measures compliant to financial administration processes.
• Handle and manage financial administration enquiries.

Rationale

The qualification was developed to equip learners with the necessary skills and competences for public finance administration officials who provide support to strategic leadership and management needed to transform all spheres of government. The need for highly qualified, efficient, client-oriented public finance administration officials is a priority in all the three spheres of government. This occupational qualification is aimed at finance administration managers working in the public sector. It is a qualification in a career pathway towards a senior public finance administration manager.

The qualification contributes to the improvement of service delivery initiatives in public service and growth of the economy in line with the existing skills development legislation, through enhancing skills levels of public sector employees.

The Advanced Occupational Diploma: Financial Administration Manager covers financial, administrative, and managerial knowledge and skills. It is an appropriate qualification for articulation of candidates who are employed in Public Finance Administration, holding an NQF Level 6 qualification in Public Finance Administration and Management.

The occupational qualification aims to produce high-level practitioners in the field of financial administration, who can contribute to improved productivity and efficiency within the public sector. This shall enable public institutions to save financial resources to deliver more quality services to the society. The qualification will provide the means for current workers to receive recognition of prior learning, to upgrade their skills, achieve a nationally recognised qualification and career pathway to Financial Management responsibilities. Typical learners for the qualification are employed and unemployed ones who hold an NQF Level 6 qualification in Administration, Management and Financial Accounting. The qualification was developed in collaboration with the public financial management sector. There is no similar occupational qualification registered in the National Qualifications Framework. There are no registration requirements for holders of the qualification to practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

RPL for Credits

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment

Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result.

Entry Requirements

• NQF Level 6 qualification in Financial Accounting/ Administration/ Management.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 121101-001-00-KM-01 Public Sector Accounting Framework, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-KM-02 Public Sector Legislative Framework and Good Governance, Level 6, 8 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-KM-03 Public Sector Financial Planning and Reporting Framework, Level 7, 10 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-KM-04 Financial Administration Processes, Level 7, 12 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-KM-05 Support Functions, Level 5, 7 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 52

Practical Skill Modules

• 121101-001-00-PM-01 Plan, Coordinate and Verify the Preparation of Accurate Financial Administration Records and Compile and Submit Financial Reports, Level 7, 20 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-PM-02 Conduct Performance Appraisals, Level 6, 10 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-PM-03 Comply with the Public Sector Financial Administration Legislation and Prescripts, Level 7, 20 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-PM-04 Communicate Effectively with Relevant Parties, Delegate queries and Provide Feedback to Relevant Party, Level 6, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 60

Work Experience Modules

• 121101-001-00-WM-01 The Coordination Processes for the Preparation of Accurate Financial Administration records, Level 7, 28 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-WM-02 The Management and Verification Processes for all Financial Administration Records, Level 7, 27 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-WM-03 The Compilation of the Financial Report, Level 7, 28 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-WM-04 The Coaching and Mentoring of Administration Staff, Level 6, 14 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-WM-05 The Application (Compliance) of the Relevant Public Financial Administration Legislation and Prescripts, Level 7, 14 Credits.
• 121101-001-00-WM-06 The Delegation and Escalation of Query Tasks, Feedback Processes and Communication Processes, Level 6, 9 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 120

1. Manage the financial administration processes.
2. Manage financial administrative staff in the financial administration environment.
3. Produce and communicate financial administration reports.
4. Manage corrective measures in terms of financial administration processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Describe, discuss, analyse, and apply the various public finance budgeting processes.
• Describe, discuss, explain, and apply different processes to coordinate, recommend and advise on financial administration processes and procedures.
• Discuss, explain, and apply the processes performance management.
• Describe, discuss, and apply effective communication processes, systems, and resources in the financial administration environment.
• Discuss and apply the ethics and ethical behaviour in the financial administration environment.
• Explain, evaluate, and implement the good governance principles.
• Explain, analyse, and apply the processes to manage and resolve financial administration queries effectively and efficiently in the financial administration environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe, discuss, plan, and apply continuous staff coaching and mentoring in the financial administration environment.
• The continuous monitoring and evaluation of performance against Key Performance Areas, roles and responsibilities in line with financial administration requirements are explained, discussed and implemented.
• Describe, discuss, and conduct the development and delivery of "fit for purpose" training programmes for financial administration staff members in line with the workman`s programme.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe, discuss, and apply the in-year monitoring (IYM) budget management processes.
• Describe, explain, analyse, and apply the processes for preparing audit files in line with financial administration requirements and legislation.
• Describe, explain, discuss, analyse, and apply the process for the preparation, compilation and submission of the annual financial report in line with financial administration requirements and legislation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Discuss, explain, analyse, and apply the processes to initiate and implement corrective and accurate measures for financial administration records.
• Discuss, explain, analyse, and apply the processes to initiate and implement corrective and accurate measures for financial administration processes.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessment

The Skills Development Providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated External Summative Assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment

An External Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. Additional to the written assessment the learner must also submit a portfolio of evidence compiled of outcomes achieved in the workplace.