Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management Accountancy

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification 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 management accountancy profession. This qualification aims to enhance the student's 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 Accounting and External Reporting, Financial Management, Management Decision Making and Control, and Organisational and Integrated Management.

Rationale

This qualification 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 management 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. The 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 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 Honours Degree studies are

• A module mark of 60% in Management Accountancy and Financial Management for the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) qualification, Level 7.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 160 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 160 Credits

• Risk Management, 16 Credits.
• Integrated Management, 16 Credits.
• Business Strategy, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 16 Credits.
• Financial Strategy, 16 Credits.
• Applied Research Project, 32 Credits.
• Organisational Management, 16 Credits.
• Planning and Evaluation, 16 Credits.
• Decision-Making and Control, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the 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 chartered accountancy profession.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the accountancy field that includes the application of specific competencies in the field of Strategy, Accounting and External Reporting, Financial Management, Management Decision Making and Control and Organisational and integrated management.
3. Demonstrate insight in the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying or transferring appropriate theory, standards, standard procedures, processes or techniques to unfamiliar problems in management accountancy.
4. Demonstrate an ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in the accountancy field and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production, including the use of information technology to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to management accountancy in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
5. Applying effectively, innovatively and responsibly the pervasive qualities and skills required as management accountant, including ethics and professionalism, personal attributes (e.g. self-management, life-long learning, leadership and teamwork) and professional skills (e.g. effective communication and utilisation of information technology).

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to 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 is achieved.
• Appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information are applied.
• An understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice are critically reflected.
• Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations are demonstrated.
• The 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 is displayed.
• 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 is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

As stipulated in the Assessment and Moderation Policy of the institution, assessment criteria are clearly formulated according to the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) level descriptors and correctly communicated to students as guiding principle for assessment practices at the institution. 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.