Diploma in Financial Information Systems

Purpose

The intended purpose of this qualification is to give the successful learner a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Accountancy and Information Systems.

The qualification will be treated according to the policies and procedures of the institution regarding assessment, moderation (including external moderation), monitoring of learner progress in the qualification, provision for learner disputes regarding assessment results and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Rationale

A qualifying learner will be able to function effectively as a commercial programmer or as an accountant (including the accountancy sub-fields) in a computer environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal against the assessment result where credits were not awarded.

Entry Requirements.

The minimum requirement is

• National Senior Certificate. National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling at 384 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 112 Credits

• Commercial Law for Accountants 1.2, 10 Credits.
• Accounting 1.1, 12 Credits.
• Accounting 1.2, 12 Credits.
• Applied Communication Skills 1.1, 8 Credits.
• Information and communications technology (ICT) Skills 1, 10 Credits.
• Auditing Aspects 1, 12 Credits.
• Commercial Law for Accountants 1.1, 10 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 1, 12 Credits.
• Applied Communication Skills 1.2, 8 Credits.
• Accountancy Technology 1, 8 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship 1, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 272 Credits

• Auditing 1.2, 12 Credits.
• Applied Communication Skills 2.1, 8 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 2.2, 15 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting 1.1, 12 Credits.
• Applied Communication Skills 2.2, 8 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting 1.2, 12 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 2.1, 15 Credits.
• Taxation 1, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1.1, 12 Credits.
• Auditing 1.1, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1.2, 12 Credits.
• Accountancy Technology 2, 8 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 2.1, 15 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 3.1, 15 Credits.
• Financial Information Systems 3.2, 15 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting 2.2, 15 Credits.
• Cost and Management Accounting 2.1, 15 Credits.
• Business Ethics 1, 10 Credits.
• Statistics 1.1, 10 Credits.
• Taxation 2.2, 12 Credits.
• Taxation 2.1, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 2.2, 15 Credits.

1.Prepare and interpret the annual financial statements of companies and groups of companies in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), including the valuations of interest represented by these statements.

2.Record the accounting implications of changes within company structure and investment.

3.Analyse, design and implement a software system as a member of a team.

4.Understand 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 computerized business cycle and adhered to professional code of conduct and ethics at all times.

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 (SARS).

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.
• The value of business interests is correctly determined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Project management principles and techniques are correctly explained it in terms of problems and case studies.
• Project management principles are correctly applied, with emphases 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 the current practice and required tests are correctly performed.
• The audit evidence is validly documented and internal audit 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.
• Provisional tax returns are prepared.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

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

Integrated Assessment.

Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. All teaching and learning activities in the qualification are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification. The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading. Timely feedback to learner s' forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum. Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the qualification.