Higher Certificate: Bookkeeping

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to educate and qualify learners for entry into a career in any bookkeeping-related field. The Higher Certificate: Bookkeeping aims to provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to create and maintain a set of books for SMMEs and sole proprietors up to trial balance.

Rationale

This qualification aims to react to the need for and provide the required foundational knowledge and practical skills that successful learners will need to pursue a career in the bookkeeping field.

The Higher Certificate: Bookkeeping aims to prepare learners for employment in any modern business or office environment which requires a strong focus on the application of bookkeeping skills. Learners will be prepared to take up various positions in industry in a variety of entry level jobs related to bookkeeping. This qualification will also prepare learners to enter into further studies related to this discipline, such as the Diploma: Business Accounting.

The practical nature of this qualification will enhance employment prospects of learners. It will also benefit employers who will be in the advantageous position of employing knowledgeable and productive employees from the outset. In addition to an essential bookkeeping skills set, the qualification provides for fundamental business knowledge that learners will need to contextualise the work they will do as bookkeepers and to enter the workplace confidently and competitively.

Competence in English, Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy equivalent to NQF Level 4 is expected.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners can achieve this qualification in part through Recognition of Prior Learning. The IIE RPL Policy and the Academic Credit and Qualification Completion Policy guide this process.

Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competencies acquired through informal and non-formal learning are assessed in the RPL process.

All RPL submissions are managed by an academic committee under the supervision of the Academic Manager and Registrar.

Access to the Qualification

Access to the Higher Certificate 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:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC).

Or

• A National Certificate Vocational ( NCV) NQF Level 4.
• A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA.
• Any recognised Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) NQF Level 4.
• Successful granting of the recognition of prior learning.

This qualification consists of 10 compulsory modules, all at NQF Level 5

• Bookkeeping 1, 15 Credits.
• Business Communication 1, 10 Credits.
• Business Management 1, 11 Credits.
• Introduction to Personal Computing 1, 5 Credits.
• Bookkeeping 2, 15 Credits.
• Office Administration 1, 10 Credits.
• Payroll and Statutory Returns 1, 11 Credits.
• Corporate Governance and Legal Frameworks 1, 11 Credits.
• Pastel Accounting 1, 7 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning project 1, 25 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 5: 120.

1. Demonstrate the ability to accurately open and maintain a set of books up to trial balance.
2. Demonstrate an ability to present and communicate information reliably and appropriately within a given context.
3. Demonstrate applied competence in the appropriate use of technology in bookkeeping practice.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the different business entities and their associated statutory returns.
5. Illustrate the ability to function effectively and ethically as a responsible business leader and contribute to the economic welfare of a business in a team.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and practices of bookkeeping in the business environment.
• Perform bookkeeping functions, including completion of year-end adjustments, the disposal of non-current assets and the reconciliations of debtors and creditors accounts, including the calculation and administration of payroll and preparation of statutory returns.
• Provide proof of competence in the ability to accurately record business transactions in order to complete financial statements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Effectively and professionally communicate information in a reliable and coherent format in a business environment.
• Use a variety of technology-based tools to communicate information within a business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate the ability to use a personal computer with regard to word processing, spreadsheet creation and editing, presentations, e-mail and basic operating system features.
• Use industry standard bookkeeping software packages to maintain the financial records of a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify statutory returns associated with specific business entities, as specified by legislation.
• Prepare statutory returns for approval, as required for a specific business entity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate the ability to function as part of a team.
• Provide ethical business leadership.
• Evaluate business patterns and statistics as the basis for good business decisions to ensure the economic well-being of a business or related organisation.

Integrated Assessment

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