Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to equip students with a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and an understanding of underlying discipline-related theories, concepts and principles with a view to further their studies in accounting; equip students with a sufficient depth of knowledge and skills to give opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, including postgraduate study, for gainful economic activity in a career of accounting departments or as teachers; provide society with graduates who demonstrate initiative and responsibility, who are professional and ethical in their roles within the economy and society.

Rationale

This qualification aims to provide South Africa with graduates who are competent in the field of accounting with the capacity to understand and function ethically in the accounting environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution, or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme of the institution. The Recognition of Prior Learning concerns the provable knowledge and skills that an applicant has acquired. At all times the question will be what the level of skills and knowledge is, which will be assessed in the context of the Exit Level Outcomes required by the intended teaching-learning programme or modules in the programme; or the status for which the applicant applies, and not merely by virtue of the experience recorded by the applicant. Recognition of Prior Learning will therefore take place in terms of applied competencies demonstrated by the applicant in his/her application and the portfolio of evidence submitted, taking into consideration the Exit Level Outcomes that have to be obtained by means of the selected teaching-learning programme. In cases where prior learning at other institutions, or relevant experience, is deemed by the Dean to compensate for the lack of formal qualifications required above, a candidate may be admitted for study.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the Bachelors studies are

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)) for Degree studies.

Or

• Matriculation exemption may be admitted to this qualification.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7.

Elective Modules, Level 5

• Academic Literacy (Agle121), 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy (Agla121), 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5

• Business Management (Bman121),12 Credits.
• Intro to Management and Management Processes (Bman111), 12 Credits.
• Basic Micro-and Macroeconomics (Econ121), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics (Econ111), 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting (Accf121), 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting (Accf111), 16 Credits.
• Introductory Statistics (Sttn122), 12 Credits.
• Math Tech (Wisn123), 12 Credits.
• Introduction To Contracts and Buss Law (Mlaw111), 12 Credits.
• Professional Skills Development (Psdt111), 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6

• Financial Accounting: Financial Reporting (Accf211), 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting: Special Topics, Etc (Accf221), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Marketing Management (Bman211), 16 Credits.
• Financial Management: Introduction (Finm221), 16 Credits.
• Purchasing Management And Supply Chain Management (Bman221), 16 Credits.
• Understanding the Economic World (Wves221), 12 Credits.
• Man Acc: Costing Concepts, Elements & System (Macc221), 16 Credits.
• Man Acc: Costing Concepts, Elements & Sys (Macc211), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Income Tax of Individuals (Taxf221), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Taxation of Companies (Taxf211), 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7

• Management Acc: Planning and Control (Macc311), 16 Credits.
• Financial Acc: Generally Accepted Acc Pract (Accf321), 16 Credits.
• Financial Management (Bman311),16 Credits.
• Strategic Management Level (Bman321), 16 Credits.
• Companies, Trusts, Vat and Cgt (Taxf321), 16 Credits.
• Fin Man: Decision Making & Valuations (Finm321), 16 Credits.
• Taxation of Individuals and Businesses (Taxf311), 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting: Group Statements (Accf311), 16 Credits.
• Applied Ethics (Wves311), 12 Credits.

• Demonstrate integrated knowledge and understanding of accountancy and cognate disciplines, which include finance; organisational and business knowledge and information technology knowledge.
• Demonstrate insight in the application of knowledge and skills, such as intellectual, technical and functional, personal, interpersonal, communication, organisational and business management to typical and often complex problems related to accounting.
• Accept and observe ethical principles regulating all relationships, such as principles of conduct generally associated with, and deemed essential in defining the distinctive characteristics of professional behaviour.

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.
• The ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information is demonstrated.
• An understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice is critically reflected.
• Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations is displayed.
• Scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas, written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology are communicated.
• 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

Continuous formative assessment in the form of class tests, homework, written assignments (integrated formative assessment) and semester tests (also integrated by nature) gives the student feedback on his/her progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes, and mostly adds 50% or more to the module mark. Summative assessment (integrated assessment), in the form of a 3-hour written examination, judges the extent in which the student has attained the Exit-Level Outcomes of the qualification.