Bachelor of Accounting

Purpose

This qualification is the first qualification in the learning and career pathway for persons wishing to become Chartered Accountants (South Africa) (CASA). The qualification leads to an Honours Degree in Accounting which enables the learner to apply to do his practical workplace learning (articles) and on completion write the Board Examination which leads to the awarding by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) awarding the designation (CASA).

Rationale

South Africa experiences a shortage of Accountants the focus of the qualification is to develop highly skilled Accountants that are responsive to business and community needs. Learners will be equipped with a thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of Accounting, Taxation, Managerial Finance and Auditing as well as the ability to apply this in the professional accountancy and business context.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree study.

Or

• Senior Certificate, Level 4 with matriculation exemption.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 456 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 176 Credits

• Mercantile Law Service Mod, 16 Credits.
• Auditing, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Individual differences, 16 Credits.
• Economic Systems and basic Microeconomics, 16 Credits.
• Fundamental business activities, 16 Credits.
• Business Calculations I, 16 Credits.
• Business Calculations II, 16 Credits.
• General Management, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 6, 180 Credits

• Managerial Finance, 16 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 20 Credits.
• Taxation, 32 Credits.
• Mercantile Law, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 32 Credits.
• Managerial Accounting, 16 Credits.
• Auditing, 16 Credits.
• Computer applications and controls, 16 Credits.
• Business ethics, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 7, 128 Credits

• Financial Accounting, 32 Credits.
• Auditing, 32 Credits.
• Managerial accounting and finance, 32 Credits.
• Taxation, 32 Credits.

1. Prepare financial reports based on International Financial Reporting Standards.
2. Consolidate financial statements for group companies.
3. Evaluate financial data.
4. Apply costing methods in various scenarios.
5. Interpret management decision-making information.
6. Conduct a review of internal controls in different business cycles.
7. Perform the necessary audit procedures for assurance testing.
8. Interpret the Companies Act, Close Corporations Act and the Audit Profession Act and King III (Corporate Governance).

9.Demonstrate knowledge of personal and Corporate Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Capital Gains Tax end Estate and other Duties.

1. Communicate effectively in a business and accountancy environment.
2. Act ethically in a business and accountancy environment.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate basic foundational skills and knowledge in accounting and related fields.
• Demonstrate detailed skills and knowledge, as well as the application of knowledge in accounting and related fields.
• Demonstrate the right attitudes to clients and ethical and professional behaviour in the business world.
• Integrate and apply knowledge and practical competencies in business contexts.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy provides for both formative and summative assessment opportunities, ranging between 40 and 60% for both these components depending on the nature and requirements of the module. This combination of assessment opportunities affords learners the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur. Currently, a limited number of modules however utilize continuous assessment, based on the nature of this module, which can be better-assessed utilizing assessment strategies such as portfolio, reports and/or assignments, amongst others.

Applied competence, where the learners ability to integrate concepts, ideas and actions in authentic, real-life business and accountancy contexts will be measured at exit.