Diploma in Accountancy

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners the requisite skills and understanding of the underlying concepts in the field of accountancy and management. Qualifying learners will be practising as Accountants, Auditors, Internal Auditors, Tax Practitioners, Management Accountants and Finance Consultants. This qualification provides a well-rounded, technically focused education that equips learners with the technical knowledge, proficiency and pervasive skills which will enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility and which will enable the development of practical and operational focused qualities. The qualification provides accountancy knowledge and skills to ensure competency in: performing reporting functions, rendering taxation services, management advisory services on an accounting technician level and to convert this embedded knowledge practically into an accounting software qualification. The qualification is in line with the requirements of the various professional bodies and learners will also be able to use this qualification to enter the next level of the education qualification, as a professional accountant affiliated to various accounting bodies. It imparts learners with sufficient depth of knowledge and skills that promote intellectual growth and lifelong learning that will lead to further studies in the various fields of Accountancy.

Rationale

The rationale for this qualification is to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, competence and skills to work in an accountancy environment and understand the world of work, be confident about their value and have a higher than average chance of being employed. The qualification is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and learning experiences needed by accounting practitioners to perform their job in the field of Accounting. The qualification also seeks to equip learners with management accounting skills and knowledge, thereby satisfying the national demand for public and private sector accounting technicians.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification creates access to learners that have work experience but do not possess a formal qualification in Accounting fields. The institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applies. Learners are required to compile a portfolio of evidence as per the institutional policy requirements and will be assessed as per the RPL policy.

This qualification may be achieved in part through RPL. Learners who already work in the commerce and industry who believe they possess competencies to enable them to meet some or all of the learning outcomes listed in the qualification will be able to present themselves for assessment against those of their choice.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5,240 Credits

• Financial Accounting I, 24 Credits.
• Business Calculations, 12 Credits.
• Business Communication, 24, Credits.
• Economics, 24 Credits.
• Business Management I, 12 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting I, 12 Credits.
• Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting II, 24 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting II, 12 Credits.
• Financial Management I, 12 Credits.
• Taxation I, 24 Credits.
• Auditing II, 12 Credits.
• Business Information Systems, 12 Credits.
• Entrepreneurial Skills, 12 Credits.
• Commercial Law l, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6,120 Credits

• Financial Accounting III, 24 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting III, 24 Credits.
• Auditing III, 24 Credits.
• Taxation II, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management II, 12 Credits.
• Commercial Law II, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a solid knowledge base across the core disciplines of accountancy, namely, financial accounting, management accounting, taxation and auditing.
2. Acquire knowledge of and demonstrate competence in all areas of Financial Accounting.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and competence in all areas of Cost and Management Accounting.
4. Acquire an understanding of Information Systems in business.
5. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature of law and an appreciation of the role of law within which an accountant operates.
6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Management Accounting Control systems.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of corporate strategy.
8. Integrate all the skills and qualities embedded in the core disciplines to add value in the space within which they operate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the application of financial accounting principles.
• Demonstrate the management accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the application of principles of taxation.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the application of auditing principles, audit process including types of engagements, risk assessment including internal control, gathering audit evidence, audit reporting including 'other engagement reports' and ethics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply the principles, concepts and conventions underlying and Accounting.
• Demonstrate the enhanced competence and skills required for a successful career in Bookkeeping and Accounting in Commerce, Industry and Practice.
• Demonstrate competence in fundamental and more advanced financial accounting practices over a range of topic areas.
• Analyse and interpret financial statements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply Cost and Management Accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
• Apply the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
• Interpret cost and management reports for analysis and control.
• Identifies and critically appreciates appropriate Management Accounting techniques for decision-making, planning and control; and applies these techniques in the generation of Management Accounting reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Show an understanding of Information Systems in business and how they assist management decision by helping accountants to achieve organisational objectives and thus improve performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain the operation of the Legal System about Common Law, Equity and Judicial Precedent, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Statute Law, Case Law and EC Law.
• Explain the role of courts and other methods of Dispute Resolution as they apply to business.
• Identify, describes and distinguishes between relevant legislation affecting the Accountant.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Display knowledge and understanding of the application of Management Accounting control and decision-making techniques, which enables him/her to communicate more effectively as an Accountant.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Understand the principal concepts and models used in the Strategic Management process and understands their contribution to improving business performance.
• Evaluate and apply the concepts and models used in the Strategic Management process to diagnose, analyse and understand organisational problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Apply knowledge acquired and skills developed in the relevant field.
• Understand and apply ethical behaviour.
• Demonstrate the understanding and application of ethical behaviour in the case study scenario.

Integrated Assessment

The Institutional assessment policy requires four assessments per year for year courses and two assessments for semester modules (refer to the Institutional assessment policy document). With formative assessment, there will be a minimum of two assessments per course per semester where the assessment can either be two written tests or one written test and an assignment.