Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification is to provide students a convenient and appropriate avenue into the accounting, tax and auditing fields and can eventually lead to obtaining a qualification as a professional accountant for students who are seeking employment. The qualification is also designed to develop graduates with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge so that they can on graduation be able to:

• Display the necessary knowledge and skills, attitudes and applied competence to enable them to demonstrate administrative proficiency.
• Display knowledge of management in general.
• Apply skills of rational judgment and planning.
• Recognise and appreciate changes within organisations.
• Make appropriate use of information technology.
• Analyse and solve operational problems.
• Display skills for the recording and processing of financial information within an accounting framework.
• Display ethical behaviour in a corporate management context.
• Display the functional competence of a graduate to proceed to middle management level within an accounting (auditing/tax) environment.

The qualification also provides a qualification that would fulfill the admission requirements for other Postgraduate qualifications offered by the institution.

Rationale

While South Africa possesses an 88% basic literacy level, research shows that financial literacy remains a significant concern as it impacts significantly on the national economy. The latest data from the annual study of South African financial habits and attitudes shows a high percentage of misunderstanding or no knowledge of key financial management concepts and functions (FinScope, South Africa, 2013). The lack of appropriately skilled professionals has had significant impacts on both the public and private sectors (SAIPA, 2014). This mismatch between the skills demand and skills supply has created a national imperative for the development of accountancy skills.

According to the "National Scarce Skills List: Top 100 Occupations in Demand", accounting, financial and related skills have been identified as a scarce skill in South Africa (Department of Higher Education, 2014). In this regard the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will address regional and national priorities as identified by the South African government. This qualification aims to address the scarce and critical accountancy skills shortage in South Africa.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification is a sought after qualification as there are limited opportunities for persons to pursue this qualification at public higher education institutions. The qualification is intended to provide students with a qualification that will enable access to the labour market. The qualification will provide the market with the necessary skills to generate economic growth.

A market demand analysis was conducted by the institution in which a number of human resource professionals representing companies across all industries in the Southern African Development Corporation (SADC) regions agreed that there is a moderate to high demand for graduates with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification in industry and at the numerous accounting and auditing practices. It is believed that a qualification such as this would fulfil a large and very obvious need in this regard.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification is targeted at both school graduates and those currently working. Upon completion this qualification will open up opportunities in the accounting, taxation and auditing sectors. The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will equip students with the skills and competencies necessary to function in both the private and public sector environments. The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will provide improved opportunities for graduates in a sector that has high demand for qualified and competent employees. Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will, with the necessary work experience, be able to move upward into middle and senior management positions. This qualification will provide graduates with vital skills to both the public and private sectors to enable entities to effectively account to all relevant stakeholders.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning. In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification:

It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of a portfolio of evidence. Such 'non-standard' candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from applicants' organisations/companies.

Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess applicants for selection purposes. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating 'non-standard' applicants include:

• A full comprehensive Curriculum vitae (CV).
• The nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.
• Details of in-company short courses, length, content of material covered, standard achieved.
• The clarity of the applicant's educational goals and objectives.
• The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the qualification.

Where prior learning is recognised for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. The maximum amount of 'specific' credit granted is 50%. Credits may only be accumulated for modules, which are prescribed within the structure of a named award.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirements for this qualification are

• National Senior Certificate.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational).

Or

Higher Certificate or an Advanced Certificate or Diploma in a cognate field of study.

A student is required to have passed Accounting at the appropriate level.

This qualification consists of sixteen compulsory modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7, totalling 360 Credits.

• Business Management 1A, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Economics 1A, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Business Mathematics, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• End User Computing, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Business Management 1B, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Economics 1B, 5, 15 Credits.
• Business Communication, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Financial Accounting, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Business Ethics, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 2A, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Commercial Law 2A, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Management Accounting and Finance 2A, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 2B, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Commercial Law 2B, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Taxation, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Auditing, Level 6, 15.
• Financial Accounting 3A, Level 7, 15 Credits.

1. Display the necessary knowledge and skills, attitudes and applied competence to enable them to demonstrate administrative proficiency.
2. Display knowledge of management in general.
3. Apply skills of rational judgment and planning.
4. Recognise and appreciate changes within organisations.
5. Make appropriate use of information technology.
6. Analyse and solve operational problems.
7. Display skills for the recording and processing of financial information within an accounting framework.
8. Display ethical behaviour in a corporate management context.
9. Develop the functional competence of a graduate to proceed to middle management level within an accounting (auditing/tax) environment.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse and develop organisation context to demonstrate administrative proficiency.
• Implement appropriate processes to achieve administrative efficiency.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Understand components of effective management to enhance knowledge of management.
• Implement appropriate management capabilities to achieve organisational outcomes.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Select standard methods, procedures and/or techniques in finance and accounting and apply rational judgment.
• Compile, implement and monitor operational and other plans in an accounting or operational context.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse situational contexts of organisations to identify the changes and their effects on the organisation.
• Apply knowledge of and how knowledge systems develop and evolves to remain current in this regard.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Utilise appropriate information technology in accounting, operational and management environments to record, report on and maintain accounting and management systems.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify, evaluate and solve routine and new problems are within a familiar context.
• Apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to commerce and industry to provide solutions to problems.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Understand key concepts, principles, knowledge, skills and techniques in accounting and related fields to be able to display these skills for the recording and processing of financial information.
• Gather and apply a range of sources within an accounting context, including oral, written or symbolic texts and select information appropriate to the task and record basic processes in accordance with generally accepted accounting frameworks.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Take into account prescribed ethical codes of conduct, values and practices and conduct appropriate behaviour in accordance with it.

Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Understand and implement management functions, competencies and processes in an operational environment.
• Use functional competence in a commercial and international business to demonstrate accountability.
• Demonstrate managerial, supervisory and resource responsibility to show management competency.
• Communicate commerce and accounting information reliably, accurately and coherently by using conventions appropriate to context, either in writing, verbally or in practical to demonstrate management communication competence.
• Assess own performance and performance of others and take appropriate corrective action taken where necessary to display human resource management competency.
• Appropriately manage own learning and learning of others in a structured learning process.

Integrated Assessment

The institution's Assessment Strategy has been reviewed and amended according to Council on Higher Education Accreditation Criteria (2012) and the National Policy and Criteria for Designing and Implementing Assessment for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Qualifications and Part-Qualifications and Professional Designations in South Africa (SAQA, 2014).

Assessment Type, Method and Description

Formative Assessment

The scheme of work includes assignments based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited number of outcomes. Formative assessment consists of knowledge checks, reflective assessments and learning community assessment. Knowledge checks may comprise of matching columns, multiple choice questions, true and false and drag and drop assessment methods. Reflective assessments may consist of short essay, long essay/case studies and posting comments/peer review.

Summative Assessment

Examinations or equivalent assessment such as a research essay or portfolio in order to determine a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module. Summative assessment consists of projects, pen/paper exam, portfolio of evidence and dissertation.