Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy

Purpose

The purpose of a Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BCom Hons) in Chartered Accountancy Degree is to equip students with a broad range of knowledge that together with skills, attitudes and professional behaviour are able to deliver a specified professional service as expected from a graduate entering the chartered accountancy profession. The programme aims to enhance the students understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the accountancy field; and an understanding of how to apply such knowledge in a particular context, including Specific Competencies in the field of Strategy, Risk Management and Governance, Accounting and External Reporting, Auditing and Assurance, Financial Management, Management Decision Making and Control and Taxation.

Rationale

A Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BCom Hons) in Chartered Accountancy Degree aims to provide South Africa with graduates who are competent in the field of accountancy with the capacity to understand and function in the economic and business environment as professional and ethical accountants.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy the student (a) must have obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc), or an equivalent Degree as:

a) To be admitted to the B.Com.(Hons) (Chartered Accountancy) Degree the student must have obtained a BCom, B.Acc., or another Degree as approved by the Faculty Board. This Degree must include the following modules (or equivalent courses): Accounting (ACCC371), Auditing (AUDT321), Management Accounting (MACC 311, 321), Taxation (TAXC311, 321) and Commercial Law (MLAW121, 311). Alternatively, the student must have completed at least one year of part-time studies in Honours BCom (Chartered Accountancy) or equivalent studies at a university.

b) The student must have obtained an average of at least 60% in Accounting, and an average of 55% in Auditing, Management Accounting, and Taxation in his/her final year to be admitted to full-time one-year studies. If one of the above approved by the Faculty Board. This degree must, as a minimum, include the following modules (or equivalent courses): Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting and Financial Management, and Taxation, all at third year level i.e. Level 7; (b) The student must have obtained an average of at least 57% in each of Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting and Financial Management, and Taxation in his/her final year. If any of the abovementioned modules was passed by adjustment or condonement (including through the utilisation of a third opportunity exam), then admission will be rejected.

(c) A student who obtained any BCom Degree other than a BCom (CA) or equivalent, should obtain the BCom Hons (Financial Accountancy) as well as passed the module of Auditing on third year level first in order to be admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy. The same percentage requirements as stated in paragraph (b) above will then apply.

(d) Students who completed the BCom (Forensic Accountancy) or BCom Hons (Forensic Accountancy) may apply for admission if they have also met the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, as well as successfully passed the following additional modules: Management Accounting and Financial Management on both second and third year level, as well as Strategy, Risk Management and Control on third year level; (e) The modules referred to in paragraph (b) must have been passed in the immediately preceding year, or the year before that (i.e. in the two years preceding enrolment for the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy). If any of these modules were passed longer than two years ago, the percentage Minimum admission requirements mentioned modules was passed by adjustment, then admission will be rejected. c) A student who obtained any other degree than a BCom(CA) or equivalent should obtain the honours BCom (Financial Accounting) first, to be admitted to the Honours BCom(CA). During that honours year the modules of Auditing on third year level should be done and passed additionally in order to be considered for the honours BCom (CA). d) Students who completed the BCom (Forensic Accountancy) or BComHons (Forensic Accountancy) may apply for admission if they also met the requirements of paragraph (a) and (b), above, as well as successfully passed the following additional modules: ECON121, MACC211, MACC221, MACC311, FINM211 and FINM321.

(e) To be admitted to this degree an application must be made on the prescribed form to the programme leader of the Programme for the Chartered Accountant Training (CA) before the onset of the academic year. than two years ago, the percentage requirement mentioned in paragraph (b) is increased to 65% for each affected subject. If any of these modules were passed longer than three years ago, the student may be required to write an admission test; otherwise will be rejected.

(f) If the applicant previously studied with another university, stricter requirements may be applied.

(g) Previously unsuccessful students wishing to repeat the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy will not be allowed to do so, but may be allowed to enrol for the Postgraduate Diploma in Chartered Accountancy once, but only if they already obtained the Honours BCom Accountancy or the Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy, with no module scored less than 40%.

(h) Applicants who previously, but not more than once, attempted the Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) or equivalent at any other university will not be admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy, but may be admitted to the Postgraduate Diploma in Chartered Accountancy if the applicant achieved at least 45% for three of the four main subjects and at least 40% for the fourth one.

(i) An application must be made on the prescribed form to the programme leader of the Programme for Chartered Accountants Training (CA) on or before 30 November of the year preceding the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy studies.

(j) The number of students that can be admitted is limited to the available capacity. The applicant average mark for the four subjects mentioned in paragraph (b) may be a decisive consideration. Preference will be given to students who studied at this university in the year immediately preceding the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Chartered Accountancy, and thereafter to other applicants. (k) Applicants not satisfying the admission or re-admission requirements may be advised to do an appropriate bridging course, e.g. the Honours BCom.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 8

• Financial Accounting (RECP671), 34 Credits.
• Advanced Auditing (RECP672), 48 Credits.
• Advanced Income Tax (RECP673), 48 Credits.
• Management Accounting and Financial Management (RECP674), 48 Credits.
• Research Project (RECP670), 32 Credits.

• Demonstrate the broad range of integrated knowledge that, together with cohesive skills, attitudes and behaviour, accounts for the ability to deliver a specified professional service as expected from a graduate entering the chartered accountancy profession.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the accountancy field; and an understanding of how to apply such knowledge in a particular context, including.
• Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in the accountancy field and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production, including the use of information technology.
• Understand the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques to unfamiliar problems in accountancy.
• Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and Exit Level Outcomes address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to accountancy.
• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts and act in a professional manner.
• Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in accountancy in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
• Present and communicate professional ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.
• Operate effectively within a team, or manage a team based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the team.
• Apply, in a self-critical manner, learning strategies which effectively address his or her professional and life-long learning needs.
• Take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.

The following Associated Assessment will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• A systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
• Ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
• Critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
• Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
• Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Integrated Assessment

As stipulated in the Assessment and Moderation Policy of the North West University (NWU), assessment criteria are clearly formulated according to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) level descriptors and correctly communicated to students as guiding principle for assessment practices at the NWU. Formative assessment occurs regularly in the form of class tests/practicums and homework assignments. Integrated summative assessment, where the main purpose and key outcomes of the qualification are assessed, is included in the assessment activities for this qualification. Integrated assessment across modules, where the main purpose and key outcomes of the qualification are assessed, is included in the assessment activities for this qualification by way of an integrated project assignment and 6 papers where all modules are integrated into each paper.