Diploma: Financial Information Systems

Purpose

This qualification is to provide technically focused education that equips the qualifying learner with the technical knowledge, proficiency and skills which will enable the personal development of the learner. This Diploma aims to provide Accountancy and Information Technology specific knowledge and skills to ensure competence in performing reporting functions and delivering commercial programming services and to convert this embedded knowledge practically using an accounting package.

Rationale

This qualification is to try and improve the competencies of the learner in Financial Information Systems. The qualification is to aid the learner to understand the world of work and thereby have a better chance of being employed. There is a great demand for learners with Accountancy and Information Technology skills in the labour market and the qualifying learner could work as an Accounting Systems Analyst or an Accounting Technician. This Diploma is therefore designed to address the need for Accounting Systems Analysts and Accounting Technicians, in the South African labour market.

The learners are assumed to be competent in Mathematics and Accounting at NQF Level 4 and able to communicate and write in English (NQF Level 4).

Recognition of Prior Learning

The learners who do not meet the minimum requirements may gain access to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established.

Access to the Qualification

The access to this qualification is granted to all applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or the alternative routes of entry. Applicants who are in possession of:

- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Diploma studies with

> Accounting at NQF Level 4.

> Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

Or

• A Diploma with Commercial Accounting at NQF Level 7.
• Non-standard admission through Recognition of Prior Learning.

This qualification consists of 120 Credits at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 128 Credits at NQF Level 7.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 5

• Cost and Financial Management 1A, 12 Credits.
• Cost and Financial Management 1B, 12 Credits.
• Software Skills 1A, 12 Credits.
• Software Skills 1B, 12 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 1A, 12 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 1B, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1A, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1B, 12 Credits.
• Business Law 1A, 12 Credits.
• Business Law 1B, 12 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 5 - 120.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 6

• Active Citizenship, 12 Credits.
• Auditing and Internal Control 2A, 12 Credits.
• Auditing and Internal Control 2B, 12 Credits.
• Business Communication, 12 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 2A, 12 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 2B, 12 Credits.
• Cost and Financial Management 2A, 12 Credits.
• Cost and Financial Management 2B, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 2A, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 2B, 12 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 6 - 120.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 7

• Financial Accounting 3A, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 3B, 16 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 3A, 16 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 3B, 16 Credits.

Total Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7 - 64.

Electives Modules (choose any four) at NQF Level 7

• Auditing and Internal Control 3A, 16 Credits.
• Auditing and Internal Control 3B, 16 Credits.
• Cost and Financial Management 3A, 16 Credits.
• Cost and Financial Management 3B, 16 Credits.
• Taxation 3A, 16 Credits.
• Taxation 3B, 16 Credits 16.

Total Elective Modules at NQF Level 7- 64.

1. Prepare and interpret financial statements of companies and groups of companies in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including the valuation of interests represented by these statements.
2. Record the accounting implications of changes within company structure and investments.
3. Analyse, design and implement a software system as a member of a team.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the components, steps, functions and techniques of project management.
5. Apply the principles of technologies needed to implement software systems in a database environment.
6. Audit manual and computerised business cycles.
7. Determine and apply various techniques whereby timeous and accurate information could be made available for decision-making and control.
8. Determine the tax liability of individuals, assist in determining the tax liability of other legal entities and prepare submissions to the South African Revenue Services.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Financial statements and consolidated financial statements, illustrating disclosure requirements in respect of accounting policy, leases, instalments and earnings per share, are prepared.
• Ratios are calculated, compared and interpreted.
• The value of business interests is correctly determined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Accounting entries and balance sheets reflecting the effect of liquidations, amalgamations and reconstructions are prepared.
• Investment transactions are recorded.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• A business solution is analysed and designed as required by the outcome.
• An integrated software system is implemented by a team of which the learner is a member.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Project management principles and techniques are correctly explained in terms of problems and case studies.
• Project management principles are correctly applied, with emphasis on teamwork issues, in the development of a software system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Software solutions are designed and translated into computer programmes that, within a given deadline, produce correct results by using acceptable programming principles.
• A software solution is correctly implemented, applying good user interface principles.
• Software solutions are implemented by interfacing with the database management system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• An audit programme is drafted in terms of current practice and the required tests are correctly performed.
• The audit evidence is validly documented.
• An internal audit report is correctly drafted in accordance with professional standards.
• Statistical sampling is correctly applied to the selection process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Budgets are correctly prepared.
• Variances are correctly calculated and interpreted.
• Marketing expenses are analysed and ways discussed whereby these could be controlled.
• Quantitative techniques are correctly devised for and applied to management decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• The tax liabilities of different legal entities are determined.
• Annual tax returns are prepared.
• Provisional tax returns are prepared.
• The tax liability of the employer is determined.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification will use both formative and summative assessment to assess the competencies of the learners. This integrated assessment will be in the form of tests, an assignment and an examination.