Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Forensic Accountancy

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide students with a broad range of knowledge that together with skills, attitudes and behaviour account for the ability to deliver a specified professional service as expected from a graduate entering the forensic accountancy profession; an understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the forensic 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, Forensic Accounting and Investigation, External Reporting, Auditing and Assurance, and Taxation.

Rationale

This qualification aims to provide South Africa with graduates who are competent in the field of forensic accountancy with the capacity to understand and function in the economic and business environment as professional forensic accountants.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This institution subscribes to the principles underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. This Institution endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme at honours level. RPL does not only imply assessment of the submitted portfolio, to determine the level of skills and knowledge comparable to NQF Level 7 the candidate already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the candidate has to master additionally prior to being accepted for the honours qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, programmes and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the programme as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Forensic Accounting studies are

• Bachelor of Commerce (Forensic Accountancy).

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Level 8.

Compulsory Modules Level 8

• Research Project, 34 Credits.

Elective Modules Level 8

• Financial Accounting, 34 Credits.
• Forensic Accounting, 34 Credits.
• Forensic Case Studies, 34 Credits.

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge of and engagement in forensic accounting investigations, with the necessary skills, professional values and ethics that enable them to continue to learn and adapt to change throughout their professional lives as forensic accountants in the commercial forensic environment. The goal of providing a foundation for life-long learning can only be achieved if it is grounded in the knowledge, skills and professional values essential to professional competency.
2. Demonstrate integrated knowledge and understanding of academic disciplines, which entail the process of learning and acquisition of knowledge of the concepts and principles relating to forensic accountancy. Within the forensic accountancy field this encompasses an integrated knowledge of accounting, investigation and law; organisational and business knowledge; as well information technology knowledge and competences.
3. Demonstrate professional skills to enable the professional forensic accountant to make successful use of the knowledge gained through education. The skills that the individual must acquire are intellectual, technical and functional, personal, interpersonal and communication skills within the forensic accounting environment.
4. Demonstrate the ability to review the forensic accounting investigation processes used by forensic accountants to gather, evaluate and manage information critically and develop creative responses to problems and issues faced by forensic accountants in forensic accounting investigations.
5. Demonstrate the ability to present and communicate creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems faced in forensic accounting investigations to relevant role-players within the commercial forensic environment; relay information relevant to given sets of facts and research problems in the commercial forensic environment; independently validate the reliability of the sources of information and evaluate and manage the information in order to communicate the findings and recommendations in the discourse of the forensic accounting profession.

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

• Demonstrate 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.
• Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
• Demonstrate 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.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
• Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
• Demonstrate 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 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.