Bachelor of Accounting Honours

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with intellectual competence and practical skills in the acquisition, analysis, interpretation and application of accounting, auditing, financial management and taxation principles in in Accounting and Business contexts on a Postgraduate level as well as being prepared for a career in the Accounting profession or for further learning in this field.

Rationale

The learner develops intellectual and practical skills in the analysis, interpretation and application of advanced accounting, governance and control and taxation. This qualification will prepare learners to identify and apply Advanced Accounting, Governance and Control and Taxation principles in practice. Lastly, this qualification will prepare learners for further studies in Accounting, Governance and Control and Taxation as a Science.

Recognition of Prior Learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the university concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this university.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is the

• Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (and related services) NQF Level 7.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling at 150 Credits.

• Advanced Auditing Chartered Accountant (CA), 30 Credits.
• Advanced Financial Accounting (CA), 30 Credits.
• Advanced Financial Management (CA), 30 Credits.
• Advanced Taxation (CA), 30 Credits.
• Applied Research: Chartered Accountancy, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a thorough conceptual understanding of Accounting in terms of the conceptual framework and apply the underlying principles per the conceptual framework to given scenarios to solve for the correct justification and recognition criteria.
2. Demonstrate a solid conceptual understanding of the individual Accounting Standards of International Financial Reporting Standards, apply these standards to practical scenarios, and prepare external financial reports for different types of business entities.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of 1) costing systems and cost management, 2) apply cost management techniques, 3) advise on issues for decision-making and budgeting and standard costing; 4) performance measurement and transfer pricing, 5) risk, performance and uncertainty 6) financial management, financing and the treasury function 7) working capital management.
4. Analyse financial statements and interpret this information for decision-making purpose and perform valuations of business entities, projects and financial assets.
5. Interpret and apply the law and procedures relating to Value Added Tax with reference to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, important decisions of the courts and Interpretation and Practice Notes issued by the Commissioner and South African Revenue Service (SARS), where appropriate.
6. Interpret and apply the law and procedures relating to the duty, which is levied on the estates of deceased persons with reference to the Estate Duty Act, important decisions of the courts and estate planning.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and regulatory environment governing Auditors,
8. Apply these principles and requirements and make ethical judgments with regard to practical situations: Auditing Profession Act, Code of Professional Conduct of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Constitution and By-Laws and the disciplinary rules of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the regulatory environment governing corporate entities in South Africa and make appropriate recommendations concerning compliance with legislation.

The Associated Assessment Criterion highlighted below will be integrated within the Exit Level Outcomes

• Identify and solve problems in the field of professional accounting correctly at a Postgraduate level by applying the relevant theoretical principles of and reflect on the application made.
• Explore different learning strategies to acquire the multidisciplinary capabilities of a Professional Accountant.
• Plan and conduct research in the professional accounting field including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on Professional Accounting and related issues correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflect on the research undertaken.
• Communicate effectively, orally or in writing, with the different role players in the professional accounting field by applying the principles of communication and reflect on the application made.
• Utilise appropriate technology (example computer, e-mail, and fax) effectively in the professional accounting environment.
• Demonstrate acceptable employment seeking skills that give the edge to enter the different levels of the professional accounting environment by applying theoretical principles of employment skills and reflect on the application thereof.
• Develop theoretical and practical macro vision for the field of Professional Accounting internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.
• Organise and co-ordinate resources and opportunities in the professional accounting field effectively and responsibly including entrepreneurship by applying the relevant theoretical principles and reflection on the application made as well as accept the responsibility for own activities as Professional Accounting Managers.
• Practise acceptable social sensitivity in the relationship with others and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team or organisation by implementing the relevant theory and reflect on the implementation made.
• Promote responsible citizenship through holistic approach to the application of professional values in the Professional Accounting field.
• Practise social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of different Professional Accounting communities and the role players in the Professional Accounting environment by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflecting on the application made.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the programme and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. In order to assess the learners' ability to solve complex accounting problems through the application of advanced knowledge in Accounting, Taxation, Auditing and Control, Managerial Accounting and Finance and through conducting, research, Tutorials, Objective tests, Ulink quizzes, semester tests, practical assignments, literary studies, group projects/presentations, research essays, final examination- will be utilised as assessment methods.