Doctor of Commerce

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with applied specialised competencies in the mastering interpretation, understanding, analysis and application of management accounting principles in the financial management field. A qualifying learner should show evidence of original and independent scientific work.

Rationale

The learner should be able to take strategic decisions in the context of the financial sector, and to analyse policy and other decisions impacting this sector. The learner should also be able to reflect on managerial decisions impacting this sector. The learner should also be able to reflect on managerial decisions and applications and to analyse and assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of management accounting, corporate governance, financial management and regulation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning in case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the university concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds with the required NQF level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this University.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for the qualification is

• Master of Commerce, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits

• Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Analyse, assess and apply financial management and management concepts and principles in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts; identifying and analysing complex issues and problems relating to Generally Accepted Management Accounting Practice and policies, and proposing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating alternative courses of action and solutions;

2.Work in a team with, and adding value to, a variety of role players, including political role players, professional and administrative members of the financial management profession, as well as people on the grassroots level in the profession;

1. Act responsibly with respect to, and accept responsibility for, activities undertaken in the course of his/her specialised evaluation and application of Generally Accepted Management Accounting Practice and accounting concepts and principles;
2. Plan and undertake, through independent study and teamwork, research in the financial management field, including gathering, analysing, integrating and interpreting related and complex and highly advanced information;
3. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with different role players in the financial management profession, applying principles of communication and reflecting on the communication skills applied.
4. Optimally utilise the appropriate technology to the professional financial management environment;
5. Analyse the importance and role of the financial management profession, and the regulation thereof on a macro-and micro-level;
6. Explore and analyse different learning strategies to acquire and improve the various skills and capabilities required of a professional financial manager;
7. Make a contribution to the level of professionalism and expertise in, and effectiveness and efficiency of, the financial management profession; thus positively impacting on the economy and contributing to the redress of poverty and improvement of living standards in the country;
8. Demonstrate a positive approach to different communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences and needs, particularly with respect to the financial management discipline within these communities;
9. Seek employment and entry into the financial management profession, effectively, as a highly specialised and advanced, technical or research, expert, and thus establish for himself/herself a specialised and advanced career in the financial management field;
10. Organise and co-ordinate, effectively and responsibly, resources and opportunities, including own activities, and taking the financial implications thereof into consideration.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an ability to identify, analyse and solve complex issues and problems. Demonstrating critical and creative thinking about management accounting concepts and principles, in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts.
• Evaluate and, where relevant, correctly apply complex and advanced concepts and approaches to Generally Accepted Management Accounting Practice and policies; thus proposing and implementing, monitoring and evaluate alternative courses of action and solutions.
• Reflect on the application made and assess the success.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Display teamship and show his/her ability to add specialised value to a team.
• Demonstrate acceptable level of social sensitivity in his/her relationships with others and work effectively in a management team by implementing the relevant theory and reflecting on the implementation made.
• Display a thorough, specialised knowledge and understanding of the various role players involved in, or affected by, the financial management profession.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Display an ability to act responsibly and honestly in interactions with other role players in the financial management field.
• Accept responsibilities for any activities required of him/her in his/her specialised evaluation and application of Generally Accepted Management Accounting Practice and principles, particularly in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute research in the field of Commerce, including the correct gathering, analysing, integrating and interpretation of information on management accounting issues, by utilising relevant theoretical and highly specialised and advanced research principles and reflect on the research undertaken.
• Plan and undertake complex research through independent study and teamwork, both across the management accounting discipline and on an interdisciplinary basis?

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Communicate effectively and professionally, in an academic and practical - oral and/or written manner (including the usage of visual/graphic aids) - with the different role players in the financial management fields by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Operate necessary appropriate technology, in particular specified computer hardware and software including internet and databases.
• Use a computer skilfully and optimally as well as management accounting related databases. Apply management technology competently to support advanced research in complex and unpredictable contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Analyse and explain the importance and role of the financial management profession, and the regulation thereof internationally, regionally, nationally, provincially and locally.
• Analyse and explain the roles of management accounting at these various macro-micro-levels.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Identify, analyse and continue to develop the different and specialised skills and competencies necessary in the execution of the activities and responsibilities of a professional financial manager.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Analyse and explain the link between the number of financial management professionals and level of professionalism in the financial management field, and the effectiveness and the efficiency of the financial management profession and therefore of the economy.
• Evaluate the role which a more effective and efficient financial management profession will have in the economy and the impact which this will in turn have on the living standards of the population of the country (e.g. the redress of the poverty, improved mobility, and improvement of living standards).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Demonstrate a positive and specialised approach towards various different communities and a sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities.
• Analyse the particular financial management disciplinary needs of different communities, taking into consideration their various social, economic and cultural differences and therefore their differing needs and requirements with respect to the financial management sector.
• Apply Generally Accepted Management Accounting Practice, make proposals within complex and unpredicted contexts, which will improve the circumstances of these communities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Demonstrate acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the financial management profession by applying theoretical principles of employment seeking and career-pathing and reflecting on the application thereof.
• Demonstrate an ability to undertake academic leadership, advanced research, research-based, professional practice, and/or senior managerial occupations.
• Demonstrate that he/she has acquired specialised and advanced competencies in his/her chosen professional financial management career.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• Display an ability to effectively and responsibly plan, resource, organise, coordinate and optimise the resources, opportunities and progress engaged in, particularly in the field of financial management, by applying relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application made.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of responsibility and organisational ability with respect of his/her own activities.
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the financial implications of all activities undertaken.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

The learner must take part in at least 8 discussions of which at least two to four must be in the form of seminars, on his/her whole field of study and the problems involved in his/her field of study. During the course of study there is regular contact between the learner and promoter based on the agreed study programme. If the learner is not making satisfactory progress and not meeting the requirements of the Department of Accounting, his/her registration shall be cancelled by the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences on recommendation by the Departmental Chairperson.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the Exit-Level Outcomes, will be done by means of a submission of a thesis and an article ready for publication. The thesis must be an original contribution to the knowledge of and insight into the subject. The learner must have sufficient knowledge of the research topic and the field of study that is relevant to his/her subject. The Department of Accounting may institute other requirements for thesis.