Higher Certificate in Accounting

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Accounting is an undergraduate Qualification that offers a combination of conceptual theory and practice in the key areas of accounting and related subjects.

It provides a relevant higher education Qualification enabling students to gain meaningful employment.

The programme will develop junior management and leadership skills, and provide participants with elementary skills in accounting, organisation and management.

Rationale

The Higher Certificate in Accounting (hereafter referred to as HCA)

• Contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.
• Empowers learners with Financial and Business Management skills and competencies necessary to function and progress in a variety of environments.
• Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment.
• Bridges the skills gap identified in the financial services sector by providing trained/qualified individuals.

This Qualification assumes that

• The learner is competent in the language of instruction of the programme.
• Participants are able to work effectively both independently and in groups.
• The learner has obtained the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Admission to this programme may be obtained through the recognition of prior learning. Candidates who do not qualify for admission in terms of the minimum admission criteria may be considered for admission through a process of RPL in keeping with the RBS RPL policy.

Access to the Qualification

The minimum Level of attainment required for entry into this programme is a Senior Certificate or equivalent.

In addition to the above admission criteria, the following will also be considered

• RPL of the student with particular reference to.
• Work experience.
• A detailed motivational letter and Curriculum Vitae.
• Prior learning-relevant to the programmes formal and informal learning.

Learning Components; Number of credits allocated; NQF Level

• Fundamental (Business Information Systems and Business Management); 40; 5.
• Core (Economics, Financial Management, Commercial Law and Accounting); 80; 5.

Overall Exit Level Outcomes

A learner attaining the Higher Certificate: Accounting will be able to

• Apply financial and business management principles in a work-based context.
• Utilise technology to communicate effectively.
• Analyse and use financial information for business decision making.
• Identify the critical success factors for starting and managing a small business.
• Design and implement marketing strategies to leverage business opportunities.
• Operate as informed junior accountants and managers.

Specific Outcomes (for each Module)

Module Title: Financial Accounting.

Credit Points: 20 Credits.

At the end of the module the learner will be able to

• Record transactions in various journals.
• Process transactions using the accounting equation.
• Evaluate the fundamental principles of Accounting.
• Collect, record and process accounting data.
• Prepare data for disclosure.
• Record transactions from incomplete records.
• Evaluate the fundamental principles of Income Tax.
• Prepare Statutory Tax returns.

Module Title: Financial Management.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of the module the learner will be able to

• Read the financial statements and make informed judgements on the financial well being of companies.
• Gain an appreciation and understanding of the sources and utilization of the fund flows in an organization.
• Analyse and interpret key financial ratios reflecting the profitability, growth and risk of an organization.
• Perform simple computations to reflect the value of money for multi-period flow of funds.

Module Title: Commercial Law.

Credit Points: 20 Credits.

At the end of the module the student will be able to

• Define legal terminology.
• Outline the principles governing law of contract.
• Distinguish between the various rules concerning binding contracts.
• Decide when a contract is in breach.
• Remedy a breach of contract.
• Describe the process of termination of contracts.
• Assist in deciding on forms of business.

Module Title: Business Information Systems.

Credit Points: 20 Credits.

At the end of the module the student will be able to

• Describe the operational and managerial roles of information systems.
• Gain an appreciation of the major concepts, developments and managerial implications involved in computer hardware, software, database management and telecommunications technologies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how information technology is used in modern information systems to support the end user collaboration, enterprise operations, managerial decision making and strategic advantage.
• Utilize IS systems to support decision making.

Module Title: Economics.

Credit Points: 20 Credits.

At the end of the module the student will be able to

• Explain the existence of various economic systems.
• Identify the economic problem and provide solutions to these problems.
• Apply appropriate methods to measure economic activity.
• Establish how firms and households play a part in determining price level.
• Explain how economic conditions operate under perfect and imperfect conditions.

Module Title: Business Management.

Credit Points: 20.

At the end of the module the student will be able to

• Outline the meaning of business management.
• Identify the processes involved in the management environment.
• Identify with the development of management theory.
• Describe the processes involved in managing a business.
• Describe the concept of SMME's in the South African concept.

• Financial and business management theory and principles are applied in a work-based context.
• The use of case studies to solve problems.
• Appropriate technology is utilised in various communication modes.

Assessment is based on

• Work based assignments to test the application of management principles in an organisation.
• The use of information technology, networks and web browsers to obtain work related information and communicate with peers.
• The use of basic problem solving techniques.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment centres on

• The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of management education.
• The application of theory to a practical context.
• The methods of research used.
• A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the Qualification.
• The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

The Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules and contact sessions. These assessment methods include:

• Case studies.
• Report writing.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
• Work based assignments.
• Self assessment activities in the course material.