Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Management

Purpose

The main purpose of this qualification is to prepare the learners for postgraduate research and to deepen their knowledge of the discipline of financial management. This qualification also provides learners with the necessary knowledge to undertake highly-skilled professional work in the disciplines of management accounting and finance. It is comprised of a broad-based curriculum to prepare the postgraduate learners for a wide range of finance-related specialities. The qualification emphasises application, analysis and evaluation within each topic area as well as the application of integrity and ethics in a professional environment. Mastering of the curriculum will provide students with the skills to synthesise complex management, financial, performance and risk principles in order to drive and add value to the entities that employ them.

Rationale

The qualifying learner will gain an overall financial and business perspective which will provide them with a competitive advantage for employment. In addition, the learner will be prepared for further studies in the field by developing research and reporting skills through the completion of a supervised research project in the field of financial management. The qualifications title remains as is as the qualification is focused on Financial Management in South Africa and internationally to ensure our learners learn and apply industry relevant concepts. The curriculum of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, which is an international professional body for Management.

Accountants, has been used to align the qualification to industry relevant material.

Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL).

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 institution concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualifications Framework(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 institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is the

• Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, Level 7.

or

• Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management, Level 7.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 8 totalling at 150 Credits:

• Research Project: Financial Management, 30, Credits.
• Operational Management Strategy, 15, Credits.
• Financial Strategy, 25, Credits.
• Management Accounting Strategy 25, Credits.
• Performance and Risk Strategy 25, Credits.
• Advanced Cost and Management Accounting 15, Credits.
• Contemporary Management Accounting 15, Credits.

1. Implement and advise on financial strategies in a local and international context to ensure wealth creation implement and advise on financial strategies in a local and international context to ensure wealth creation.
2. Evaluate and assess internal control systems.
3. Advise on the management of financial risks and the development of information systems.
4. Understand the place of different functional roles/departments such as Human Resources(HR), Marketing and Information Technology(IT) within the organisation and its relationship with the finance function.
5. Compile and evaluate financial information to support strategic decision making and strategic control.
6. Understand the complex relationships an organisation has with its stakeholders, industry, the local and global environments.
7. Apply traditional and contemporary approaches to cost and management accounting.
8. Perform basic scientific research in the field of finance.

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

• Demonstrate the ability to identify and solve problems in the field of financial management correctly at a post graduate 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 financial manager.
• Plan and conduct research in the financial management field including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on financial management 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 financial management field by applying the principles of communication and reflect on the application made.
• Utilise appropriate technology (example computer, e-mail, fax) effectively in the financial management environment.
• Demonstrate acceptable employment seeking skills that give the edge to enter the different levels of the financial management environment by applying theoretical principles of employment skills and reflect on the application thereof.
• Develop theoretical and practical macro vision for the field of financial management internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.
• Effectively and responsibly organise and co-ordinate resources and opportunities in the financial management field including entrepreneurship by applying the relevant theoretical principles and reflection on the application made as well as accept the responsibility for own activities as financial 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 financial management field.
• Practise social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of different financial management communities and the role players in the financial management environment by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflecting on the application made.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification is coherently aligned in that all teaching, learning and assessment activities are linked to module and qualification outcomes. Assessment methods are varied and includes summative and formative assessment to enhance applied competence from learners and facilitate authentic assessment and learning. Assessment will not only be used to determine whether outcomes were achieved, but also to generate data for grading and provide feedback in order to improve the curriculum. For all the assessment purposes to be achieved, investigative projects/assignments, problem solutions, group and individual assignments and projects, multidisciplinary projects, case studies, report writing, planning, oral presentations, semester tests, final examinations will be utilised as assessment methods.