Bachelor of Commerce in Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with applied competencies in the mastery, analysis, interpretation and application of business management. There is an emphasis on financial management and accounting principles in preparation for a career in the business management and accounting fields. It also provides a basis for further learning.

This Bachelor of Commerce in Management is designed to provide opportunities for the qualifying learner to access positions in:

• Middle, senior and executive management.
• Various departments including: Finance and Cost and Management Accounting.
• It will also be of benefit to learners that deal with the public sector, i.e., quasi public institutions.

The learner will acquire a comprehensive and inter-related understanding of current and relevant management theories and practices prevalent in the public sector.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Commerce in Management has been developed to meet specific national skills needs that exist in South Africa's unique and diverse labour market. Distance education provides an ideal opportunity to managers in the public sector i.e. on all three tiers of government, to upgrade their knowledge and level of professionalism without having to attend full-time (face-to-face) tuition. This programme is directed primarily at persons with some foundational management knowledge and work experience, who would like to expand their management competencies in key areas of business management and related disciplines, such as financial management and cost and management accounting.

It will also be of benefit to individuals who intend starting a career in business management with a strong focus on finance and who understand that a range of management, coupled with financial skills, form an integral part of any successful and responsive public sector. This qualification will allow the practitioner to register as an accounting officer with the appropriate professional bodies.

• Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
• Communications at NQF Level 4.

It is strongly recommended that the learner is proficient in end-user computing skills at NQF Level 3.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learning that has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means, is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part of the qualification. To be accorded Recognition of Prior Learning, the learner is required to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the Assessment Criteria of this qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of integrated assessment carried out by an experienced academic appointed by the providing institution, in agreement the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body.

Access to the Qualification

Admission is open to all learners in possession of a Senior Certificate or equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification, subject to the additional requirements laid down by the providing institution and/or relevant ETQA.

The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules totalling 432 credits

• 4 modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 72 Credits.
• 6 modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 192 Credits.
• 5 modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 168 Credits.

1. Understand the principles of business management as a science and how to incorporate them into the wide range of challenges in the South African Business environment in a multi-cultural context.
2. Apply the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of business management to an organisation.
3. Apply the key fundamentals and concepts of accounting principles and techniques to a business environment.
4. Evaluate the available tools and techniques and select and apply the most ones to solve business financial problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
5. Discuss the inter-relatedness of the different areas involved in the business management environment, specifically pertaining to human resource management, information management, financial management and commercial law.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Identifying and solving problems are demonstrated during the application of business principles where creative thinking skills are used in developing and running a successful business.
• Working effectively with others is demonstrated in the successful application of management, human resources and accounting practices in the management of a business.
• Organising and managing self is demonstrated in the successful management of groups of people in various disciplines.
• Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information is indicated in the successful running and performance of a business.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, is demonstrated through the successful engagement of all categories of people to maintain a successful business.
• Utilising science and technology effectively and critically is clearly indicated in the successful production of reports and the successful performing of the business.
• Demonstrating an understanding the world as a set of related systems is indicated the range of activities of the successful business manager and how this manager locates her/himself within the broader business system.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to determine competence against the Exit Level Outcomes:

1. Apply basic principles commonly used in the field of Statistics to a business.
2. Utilise the fundamental concepts of finance, and understand where each of these concepts fits into the financial management function.
3. Analyse and interpret the fundamental concepts of accounting.
4. Apply the developed intellectual competencies and practical skills of management principles in the functional management areas of operational management, purchasing management, logistics management, the entrepreneurial process and business ethics.
5. Apply the factors relating to consumer behaviour, developments in marketing, market segmentation and the principles affecting marketing strategy, such as product, price, place and packaging in making decisions regarding marketing communication especially in regard to services marketing and relationship marketing.
6. Apply the concepts of human resource management as a function of the organisation.
7. Apply the basic components of the law of contract and its requirements for validity.
8. Apply the principles relating to the law of partnership, company law, close corporations law and business trust law to the business environment.
9. Apply the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the application thereof to the elements of financial statements, their measurement, recognition, presentation and disclosure.
10. Apply the basic aspects of a company's own shareholders' interest and investments, with specific emphasis on simple investments, to various financial instruments and investments.
11. Explain advanced general management concepts with the emphasis on the interpretation of additional management tasks and general management aspects, including decision-making, worker motivation, organisational communication, managing change, culture, innovation, diversity as well as planning techniques and modern organising practices.
12. Utilise the knowledge of small business management and its unique characteristics in the South African and broader business environment.
13. Analyse, apply and manage information in order to establish effective processes, to maintain quality and to apply technology maximally.
14. Apply the concepts of cost accounting.
15. Implement the methodology of project management into the business environment.
16. Analyse, interpret and apply knowledge relating to intermediate macro-economic topics, concepts and issues.
17. Apply economic indicators and the analysis of economic data to own buisness.
18. Prepare, present and disclose comprehensive financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Companies' Act no. 61 of 1973.
19. Report on non-financial issues, such as the interaction between a company and the natural environment and society.
20. Implement the concepts of stock control, planning and stock management, budgeting standard costing, performance measurement, and transfer pricing.
21. Evaluate and select long-term investment options and make decisions regarding the financing of an enterprise and its long-term assets.
22. Utilise the underlying concepts of cost accounting.
23. Value business operations using different valuation methods and financial analysis techniques.
24. Apply the theories of international economies (with an emphasis on international trade, but also international investment and international migration) to an African context with the aid of economic models and well-structured arguments.
25. Demonstrate a coherent critical understanding of the role of money in the economy and what the role of money in the economy means for monetary policy in South Africa.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment methods include

• Self assessment activities in the learning materials.
• Case studies.
• Knowledge tests.
• Report writing and other generic management formats.
• Basic research and project based assignments.

The student is required to put together a portfolio of evidence, which will act as proof that learning has taken place. Although this method of formative assessment is required, it will not be measured or monitored by the assessors due to the mode of distance learning. Compilation of the portfolio is designed to assist students toward the compilation of tutor-marked assignments, which are formally assessed.

Formative assessment is designed to ensure that

• It supports the teaching and learning process.
• Provides constructive feedback to the student on his/her progress.
• It helps to make decisions on the readiness of students to complete their summative assessment.
• Is developmental in nature.
• Does not award credits/certification.

Summative assessment includes

• Formal written examinations (where applicable oral assessment).

Summative assessment is making a judgment about achievement. Student-readiness determines whether the student will qualify for the respective examinations. It is required that the assignments are submitted in order to write an examination in each module.

Summative assessment occurs

• At the end of each study cycle of learning.
• Is used to determine whether the student is competent in the required knowledge and skills.

Summative assessments will be conducted on a continuous basis throughout the learning experience. Summative assessments are moderated per module of learning, in order for all students to be fairly assessed against the planned outcomes.