Diploma in Taxation
Purpose:
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Diploma (Min 360)
Credits
360
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
Durban University of Technology
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies
Subfield
Finance, Economics and Accounting
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2019-02-13
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2033-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to enable qualifying learners to
- Recognise, integrate and manage the enterprises accounting and taxation function within the broader role of Enterprise Governance and the Risk Management in response and compliance with the South African Taxation, collection and administration, legislation.
- Establish an ethical framework in accordance with the prevailing standards and good business practice around which the qualifying student exercises their decision making ability when faced with technical and other complexities within work and professional environment.
- Provide the learner with a global outlook on how the business world function and their role therein as Taxation professional.
Rationale
Taxation is an emerging profession which is closely linked to other Accounting Science professions such as Accounting, Management Accounting and Auditing. There is a shortage of specialised tax professionals to serve the South African economy in various ways; namely:
- Tax specialists in private practice.
- Tax advisors in commerce and industry.
- Tax auditors or investigators within the Revenue Service.
There is also a shortage of adequate number of practitioners in the general accounting and auditing fields. The Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET), in its Scarce Skills Guideline 2015/2016, identified a consistent shortfall of Tax Professionals since 2012. The comment noted by FASSET from employers and professional bodies, "Inadequate experienced employees with accounting background and tax experience. Shortage of Black African Learners".
The programme responds to the growing need for suitably qualified Tax Professionals, based on research conducted by The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT), The South African Revenue Service (SARS) (2009) and FASSET (2015).
Entry requirements and RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is in terms of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) RPL policy. Applicant to have a minimum of five years related work experience and present a portfolio of evidence.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements are
- Senior Certificate.
Or
- National Senior Certificate granting access to Diploma studies.
Or
- National Certificate (Vocational) at Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.
Replacement note
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 376 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 124 Credits
- Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
- Financial Accounting 101, 12 Credits.
- Introduction to Micro Economics101, 12 Credits.
- Commercial Law 101, 12 Credits.
- Financial Accounting 102, 12 Credits.
- Internal Auditing 101, 12 Credits.
- Business Calculations, 12 Credits.
- Introduction to Macro Economics, 12 Credits.
- Internal Auditing 102, 12 Credits.
- Values in the Workplace, 8 Credits.
- World of Work, 8 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 228 Credits
- The Entrepreneurial Edge, 8 Credits.
- Business Fundamentals 1, 12 Credits.
- Commercial Law 201, 12 Credits.
- Business Fundamentals 2, 12 Credits.
- Financial Accounting 201, 12 Credits.
- Principles of Taxation 201, 12 Credits.
- Commercial Law 202, 16 Credits.
- Financial Accounting 202, 12 Credits.
- Internal Auditing 201, 12 Credits.
- Principles of Taxation 202, 12 Credits.
- Managerial Accounting and Finance 101, 12 Credits.
- Managerial Accounting and Finance 201, 12 Credits.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit, 12 Credits.
- Internal Auditing 202, 12 Credits.
- Taxation 301, 12 Credits.
- Business Informatics, 12 Credits.
- Taxation 302, 12 Credits.
- Corporate Procedures, 12 Credits.
- Taxation 303, 12 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 24 Credits
- Financial Accounting 301, 12 Credits.
- Financial Accounting 302, 12 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
1.Determine and advise on tax liability of individuals, assist with the tax liability of other legal entities and prepare submissions to the South African Revenue Services.
- Prepare and interpret financial statements of companies and groups of companies in accordance with the prevailing Accounting Standards, including the valuation of interests represented by these statements.
- Record the accounting implications of changes within a company structure and investments.
- Audit manual and computerised business cycles, in accordance with International standards of Internal Auditing.
- Identify the economic environment within which South African commercial organisations apply their trade.
- Develop an administration system together with the business plan for a business.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Identify taxable income, tax-deductible expenses and allowances.
- Prepare annual tax returns for individuals and other bodies in accordance current South African Taxation legislation.
- Prepare provisional tax returns in accordance with current South African Taxation Legislation.
- Explain tax liability of the employer.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Prepare financial statements for companies disclosing all information required by the prevailing Accounting Standards.
- Prepare consolidated financial statements for group companies.
- Illustrate disclosure requirements in respect of changes in accounting policy, leases, instalment sales and earnings per share.
- Determine, compare and interpret ratios of profitability, liquidity, financial structure and financial cover.
- Determine the value of business interests by way of at least 3 valuation methods.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Prepare accounting entries and draft the balance sheet reflecting the effect of liquidations, amalgamations and reconstructions.
- Record investment transactions and clearly distinguish capital from income.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Prepare audit programs in accordance with current internal auditing standards.
- Perform manual and computerised compliance and substantive financial audit tests on various fields within the organisation.
- Perform manual and computerised operational audit tests on various processes within the organisation.
- Apply statistical sampling techniques in selecting data for audit tests.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Describe the interaction between supply and demand within the market place.
- Identify various market forms.
- Monetary policy described and discussed.
- Describe and discuss fiscal policy.
- Understand international trade and finance.
Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 6
- Compile effective Internet mail and communication system for the business.
- Compile effective documentation systems for the activities of the business.
- Select effective computer software system for the administration of a retail business.
- Identify and determine the viability of a business opportunity.
- Compile workable business plan, with subsections covering clearly the functions of marketing, finance, administration, personnel, assets, logistics, production, public relations and housekeeping, for a retail business that will ensure the successful starting of such business.
Integrated Assessment
Due to the nature of the discipline it is imperative that students are trained in the theoretical knowledge of a subjected and assessed in the practical application thereof. In this regard the following assessment tools are utilized in the Taxation modules:
- Portfolios.
- Simulations.
- Written assignments.
- Written tests.
- Case studies and case presentations.
- Face to face contact with learners.
- Written examinations.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification allows for vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation
- Diploma in Accountancy, Level 6.
Vertical Articulation
- Advanced Diploma in Taxation, Level 7.
- Bachelor of Commerce, Level 7.
International comparability
Each revenue body faces a different environment within which they administer their taxation system. Countries differ in respect of their policy and legislative environments and their administrative practices and cultures. As such, different countries will approach the issues of taxation education with differing practice.
Internationally, however there is a drive to regulate Taxation Intermediaries, through either legislative or professional body registration. Professional associations are identified as recognised associations within Taxation regulatory, and members of the professions are allowed to practice as Taxation Intermediaries.
A similar practice is adopted in South Africa, within the Tax Administration Act regulating the registration of tax practitioners. Thus the, program has been closely aligned, in terms of international best practice, with the curriculum of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants. The South African Institute of Professional Accountant is a recognised controlling body for Tax Practitioners.
Internationally most institutions do not offer a Diploma in Taxation. Most institutions offer a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Degree, with sub-major in taxation. The Diploma in Taxation compares well with the BCom Degrees offered at University of New South Wales (Australia), with regards to curriculum structure, module choices (core and fundamental), credits, levels and content, as follows:
University of New South Wales.
Bachelor of Commerce, 360 Credits South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) equivalent, Level 7 equivalent, 3years, Core (240 Credits SAQA equivalent):
- Compulsory core course (60 SAQA Credits equivalent)
- Flexible Core (60 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Major at Level 3 (30 SAQA credits equivalent).
- UNSW Business school electives (90 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Fundamentals (120 Credits).
- Free electives (90 SAQA Credits equivalents).
- General Education course (30 SAQA Credits equivalent.
Core component
Compulsory Core modules (60 SAQA Credits equivalent)
- Accounting and Financial Management (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Microeconomics (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Business and Economic Statistics (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Managing Organisations and People (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
Flexible core modules Student should choose 4 courses from the following list (60 SAQA Credits equivalent)
- Accounting and Financial Management (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Creating Social Change (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Macroeconomics (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Business Finance (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Marketing Fundamentals (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Global Business Environment (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
- Business and the Law (15 SAQA Credits equivalent).
Majors (120 SAQA equivalent Credits)
120 SAQA equivalent Credits in an approved disciplinary stream offered by the UNSW Business School, containing at least 45 UOC at Level 3. (Note that the 120 SAQA Equivalent Credits include the first disciplinary course(s) in the Core (Compulsory or Flexible). This means that, for the majority of majors, students will complete 105 SAQA equivalent Credits in specified disciplinary courses outside the core.) The approved Majors from within UNSW Business School are:
- Taxation.
- Accounting.
- Business Economics.
- Business Strategy and Economic Management.
- Business Law.
- Finance.
- Financial Economics.
- Human Resource Management Information Systems International Business Management.
- Marketing.
- Real Estate Studies.
UNSW Business School Elective
0-30 Credits in UNSW Business School courses to ensure a student completes a minimum of 240 Credits of Business courses within the BCom. The exact number of courses to complete will depend on the major chosen.
Fundamental Component (120 SAQA Credits equivalent)
Free electives
account for 90 SAQA equivalent Credits are free to use these credits to complete courses from any Faculty however they need to be mindful of the program limit on Level 1 courses (150 Credits), for the program when making their selection. GEN coded courses cannot be counted as Free Electives.
General Education
Education requirements account for 30 SAQA Credits and are to be taken outside the UNSW Business School. These courses allow the student to select either courses that were developed especially for the General Education Program (beginning with GEN) or to choose 'mainstream' courses that are offered in the degree programs of other faculties.
Although the credits for core and fundamental modules differ, the Diploma in Taxation has 36 Credits General Education (fundamental modules) themes imbedded in the core modules. Thus Fundamental modules offered with the Diploma in Taxation, address General Education themes not imbedded in the Core modules.
Providers currently listed
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