Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy

The purpose of the qualification is to build on the specialist skills and knowledge already developed during study for an appropriate undergraduate degree to reach the proficiency required for a qualifying learner to proceed to serve a period of professional training and, following the successful completion of further examinations, to register with two bodies:

1. The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, for membership as a Chartered Accountant.
2. The Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board, for registration as a registered Accountant and Auditor; and thereby to practice as an accountant and auditor, with responsibility for a comprehensive range of financial practices.

The purpose of the qualification is also to provide South Africa with graduate-level accountants meeting the professional standards of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board, for auditors and general accountants.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy is a highly relevant qualification for learners that would prefer to register online. Offering this qualification part-time and online, it creates an opportunity to study online for two years in comparison to studying full time for one year.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Convert business records using formal and accepted accounting practices into management information and is skilled at interpreting such information.
• Operate in both turbulent and stable economic environments and respond effectively to uncertainties.
• Access, process and communicate information appropriately and effectively.
• Work effectively as an individual, in multicultural teams and multidisciplinary environments.
• Keep abreast of the changing business, financial and policy environment which brings ever new methods, techniques, and competitive challenges. The qualifying learner is competent to engage in life-long learning through the exercise of fundamental learning skills and understands the requirement to maintain continued competence.
• Apply ethics and the code of conduct adopted by the institution into the world of work.

The qualifying learner, with specialised knowledge of Financial Accounting and other related subjects (such as Tax, Auditing, Managerial Accounting and Financial Management), is equipped to sit a further specialist examination and apply.

Formally Accredited Learning (RPL)

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University or has completed sufficient undergraduate courses in an equivalent University-approved qualification to be admitted to the diploma - consult the application information for the year of study for which the application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but need further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

RPL for access

• RPL is applied for learners who do not have a formal academic achievement to gain access to the qualification and advanced standing can be granted.

RPL for credit exemption

• Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification study achieved.
• Recognition of Prior Learning learner must comply with all the requirements stated in the learning modules and qualifications as well as the institution's RPL policy.

RPL for credits

• To be awarded a qualification, a candidate must complete the requisite academic modules resulting in the completion of sufficient approved credits in the approved period.
• Some of the credits for these modules can be granted in recognition of formal learning from another qualification or approved short learning qualification.
• For a module or course to be recognised for academic credit there needs to be sufficient equivalence between the module or course completed and the outcomes and level of the module for which credit is sought.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Accounting Science, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Accounting, NQF Level 7

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 135 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 135 Credits.

• Understanding the business: Corporate Governance and Strategy, 15 Credits.
• Business decision-making, 15 Credits.
• Valuations, 15 Credits.
• Operating activities and transactions, 15 Credits.
• Business combinations and corporate restructurings, 15 Credits.
• Performance management and incentives, 15 Credits.
• International Transactions, 15 Credits.
• Tax, 15 Credits.
• Regulatory environment, 15 Credits.

1. The qualifying learner has an in-depth knowledge of a major discipline in more than one area.
2. The qualifying learner can convert business records using formal and accepted accounting practices into management information and is skilled at interpreting such information.
3. The qualifying learner can operate in both turbulent and stable economic environments and respond effectively to uncertainties.
4. The qualifying learner can access, process and communicate information appropriately and effectively.
5. The qualifying learner can work effectively as an individual, in multicultural teams and multidisciplinary environments.
6. The qualifying learner is competent to engage in life-long learning through the exercise of fundamental learning skills and understands the requirement to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of the changing business, financial and policy environment which brings ever new methods, techniques, and competitive challenges.
7. The qualifying learner is ethical and aware of the code of conduct adopted by the University and by the relevant professional bodies and of the necessity to carry this code into the world of work.
8. The qualifying learner, with specialised knowledge of Financial Accounting and other related subjects (such as Tax, Auditing, Managerial Accounting and Financial Management), is equipped to sit a further specialist examination and apply for registration with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to become a Chartered Accountant.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

• "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display those responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 2 & 3.
• "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 5.
• "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 4 & 7.
• "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 2, 3 & 4.
• "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 1 & 4.
• "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 4 & 7.
• "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation" - see ELO 3 & 6.
• "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
• "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 1 to 8.
• "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 7; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
• "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 3 & 5.
• "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 6 & 8.
• "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 2 & 3.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates specialist knowledge of a major discipline in more than one area.
2. The qualifying learner can produce auditable statements to South African standards.
3. The qualifying learner can:

• Understand the nature and functioning of diverse forms of enterprise and economic systems and can perform tasks necessary to the effective functioning of enterprises in varying circumstances.
• Formulate and propose potential solutions to the various economic, organisational, business and social problem
• Use multi-disciplinary approaches to conceptual thinking and problem-solving.

4. The qualifying learner can

• Access information using a spectrum of technologies, ranging from hand-written or auto-generated business records to electronic databases.
• Process and communicate information using technologies ranging from written reports to visual presentations.
• Access, use and organise information in an ever-changing context.

5. The qualifying learner

• Understands and uses skills to manage him/herself and exercises self-discipline.
• Can plan and initiate the successful completion of management support, management and administrative tasks individually or in collaboration.

6. The qualifying learner can

• Formulate and solve.
• Propose potential solutions to various economic, organisational, business and social problems.

1. The qualifying learner has shown in her/his behaviour/value system and the conduct of her/his studies, that the importance of ethical and professional behaviour is understood and applied.
2. By qualifying with an H.DipAcc, the learner is eligible to sit a further specialist examination after which, and after a period of practical training, he/she may apply for registration with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to become a Chartered Accountant and for registration with the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board to become a Registered Accountant and Auditor.

Integrated Assessment

The qualifying learner has demonstrated that he or she has achieved the exit level outcomes by passing all four final (Level 7) examinations set in the same year of study. The nature of the discipline and therefore the qualification is that the subject areas are so interrelated that an integrated knowledge of the courses is essential to pass any one of them. Further, during the study and particularly at the stage of the final assessment, assessment practices include criteria pertaining to all the outcomes for the degree to ensure that these outcomes are integrated.

The qualifying learner has demonstrated that he or she has achieved the exit level outcomes by passing all four final examinations set in the same year of study. The subject areas are so interrelated that an integrated knowledge of the courses is essential to pass any one of them. Furthermore, during the study and particularly at the stage of the final assessment, assessment practices include criteria pertaining to all the outcomes for the degree to ensure that these outcomes are integrated.

All assessments within this qualification align with the assessment policy of the institution as well as with the Institution Senate's Standing Orders on learner assessment. The assessments also align with the qualification's assessment criteria.

Description of the number and types of tests/assignments/projects/case studies

• Quizzes and tests
• Assignments (Individual or group)
• Projects (for certain modules)
• End of course online test at the end of each module.
• Four Final examinations at the end of the qualification.