Diploma in Accountancy

Purpose

The qualification should provide accountancy knowledge and skills to ensure competence in performing reporting functions, rendering taxation services and management advisory services on an accounting technician level and to convert this embedded knowledge practically into an accounting software programme.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide a well-rounded, technically focussed 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 focussed qualities.

This Qualification is designed in consultation with the Association of Accounting Technicians (SA) and recognised by them as a requirement to practise as an Accounting Technician. Such a programme requires a thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of the profession or career concerned and the ability to apply these to professional or career contexts.

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 also seeks to equip learners with management accounting skills and knowledge thereby satisfying the national demand for public and private sector accounting technicians.

The learner is assumed to be familiar with the accountancy environment either through his/her employment in such an environment or through the successful completion of an appropriate qualification at NQF Level 4.

Competence in mathematics, Accounting and English equivalent to NQF Level 4 is expected.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which include formal, informal and non-formal learning and workplace experience can be used to:

• Award learners with credits.
• Grant admission to learners who do not meet criteria.

Access to the Qualification

Access to the Diploma is granted to all applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or who follow the available alternative route of entry. Applicants who are in possession of one of the following:

• National Senior Certificate (NSC)
• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) NQF Level 4.
• A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA.
• Any Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) NQF Level 4 deemed to be relevant may be granted access to the qualification.
• Learners who successfully complete the Programme in Commercial Accounting may also apply for admission.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 6

• Cost and Financial Management 1A, 12 Credits.
• Cost and Financial Management 1B, 12 Credits.
• Economics 1A, 12 Credits.
• Economics 1B, 12 Credits.
• End-user Computing 1A, 12 Credits.
• End-user Computing 1B, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1A,12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1B, 12 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques 1A, 12 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques 1B, 12 Credits.
• Active Citizenship 1,12 Credits.
• Auditing and Internal Control 2A,12 Credits.
• Auditing and Internal Control 2B, 12 Credits.
• Business Communication 1,12 Credits.
• Business Law 1A, 12 Credits.
• Business Law 1B, 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.
• 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.
• Financial Accounting 3A, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 3B, 16 Credits.
• Taxation 3A, 16 Credits.
• Taxation 3B, 16 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 6: 368.

Upon completion of the Diploma: Economics, the qualifying Learners will be able to

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.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Demonstrate problem-solving skills as well as elementary knowledge of business management principles and applications.
• Serve the commercial and economic needs of a person providing services in the arenas of accounting, taxation, management accounting or auditing.
• Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation, community and contribute to the group output in tasks growing out of business, commerce and management fields.
• Manage and organise activities and life responsibilities effectively.
• Collect, analyse and organise information.
• Communicate effectively using visual and/or language skills in the modes of writing.
• Show responsibility towards and in the environment and health and well being of others, in community and in a national context.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.
• Perform effectively in the workplace.
• Manage people within the accounting environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Understands and demonstrates the accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
• Applies the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
• Is able to 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 2

• Illustrates competence in the principles, concepts and conventions underlying and Accounting.
• Demonstrates the enhanced competence and skills required for a successful career in Bookkeeping and Accounting in Commerce, Industry and Practice.
• Demonstrates competence in fundamental and more advanced financial accounting practices over a range of topic areas.
• Shows competence in the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Understands and demonstrates the Cost and Management Accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
• Applies the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
• Interprets 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

• Shows 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

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Displays a 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

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

Integrated Assessment

The Integrated Assessment is to ensure that the learners are exposed to the principles, concepts and techniques which would aid in Financial and Economic Sciences processes within the greater context of accountancy and the attainment of the quality objectives of the organisation.

All formative assessment tasks are internally moderated and all summative, exit level assessment tasks are externally moderated by suitably qualified experienced subject specialists. All assessment decisions and moderation judgments must be clearly motivated and recorded.