Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to strengthen learner's Accounting and related knowledge, undertake advanced reflection of current Accounting trends, as well as practice specialist skills and technical competence in the field of Accounting and its related disciplines.

Learners will learn to analyse financial information, apply global audit techniques and provide advanced technical advice and assistance on business decision making. This will prepare learners to pursue a career as an Accountant, Auditor, Tax Practitioner or Financial Manager within the public or private sector whether it is local, national, regional or international.

Graduates will also be well prepared with the insight and skills that are relevant to further specialised study at a postgraduate level in support of the principles of life-long learning. The specific skillsets incorporated into this qualification present a combination of modules which are also highly attractive to prospective employers, and adds value to the workplace.

The outcomes for this qualification were identified as critical to developing a successful career by understanding processes in the accounting context, as well as best practice in the field. Learners will be able to strategically solve complex accounting challenges through informed decision-making. Furthermore, learners will be adequately prepared to demonstrate competencies in contributing to the economic well-being of an organisation in a responsible manner and the ability to identify and address ethical issues.

Rationale

The skills shortage in the financial and business sectors of the South African economy provides opportunity for the offering of professional Accounting qualifications. This qualification allows for flexibility in the modern economy because it is of high value and in high demand by employers and adds value to those seeking to be more entrepreneurial as well.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is aligned to the syllabus requirements of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) with the purpose of giving those learners registration into SAICA's first professional exam (ITC) after completing the Postgraduate Diploma and obtaining the Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA).

The broad objectives of the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting are

• To present the core content of the academic component of SAICA's Competency Framework.
• To demonstrate theoretical engagement and intellectual capacity, as well as the ability to convey knowledge to an array of situations, in order to undertake professional and highly skilled work in Auditing, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Finance and Taxation.
• To develop learners that are independent and constructive critical thinkers and practitioners in the highly skilled area of Accountancy with the use of interactive study material that encourages active participation, as well as establishing the principles for lifelong learning.
• To provide a well-rounded, technically focused education that equips graduates with the advanced technical knowledge, proficiency and pervasive skills to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility, thus contributing to the development of leadership qualities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Credit Accumulation and Transfer mechanism exists for access and advance standing for formal learning from a recognised, registered and accredited institution on a registered and accredited qualification. Credit Accumulation and Transfer rules as proposed by national policy are applied.

Recognition is awarded for

• Learning, and not for experience per se.
• Learning that is on the level of the specific level descriptors of the qualification/unit standard.
• Learning that is in line with applied competence and has a balance between theory and practical application appropriate to the subject or unit standard.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• Bachelor of Accounting or Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Degree, Level 7.

This qualification consists of four compulsory modules totalling 120 Credits at Level 8

• Advanced Auditing, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Financial Accounting, 36 Credits.
• Advanced Management Accounting and Finance, 30 Credits.
• Advanced Taxation, 30 Credits.

1. Prepare and, critically review complex company and group financial statements and supporting notes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.
2. Demonstrate awareness of the regulatory environment applicable to a registered auditor when conducting an assurance or non-assurance engagement.
3. Application of advanced costing techniques, performance management, decision-making problems and strategic and financial management in a broad range of complex and unfamiliar business applications.
4. Application of complex taxation legislation.
5. Application of advanced knowledge to a variety of business simulations by integrating information from the core disciplines to arrive at an appropriate solution to a complex problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate the ability to prepare all components of a complete set of financial statements and supporting notes for a company or a complex group of companies in accordance with the

conceptual Framework and International Financial Reporting Standards.

• Critically discuss and report on accounting principles and disclosure of International Financial Reporting Standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate an entity's assurance needs.
• Review and report on an entity's compliance or non-compliance with relevant legislation, specifically the Companies Act and the King Code of Corporate Governance.
• Evaluate and report on strengths and weaknesses of selected internal control systems, in a manual and automated environment within a business.
• Prepare audit programs to audit the assertions for a broad range of business entities.
• Prepare audit reports on a variety of audit engagements in an ethical manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Perform complex costing calculations using appropriate management accounting techniques.
• Evaluate financial opportunities in a business and report to management on appropriate courses of action.
• Identify the strategic risks in a business, and provide senior management with appropriate and relevant course of action.
• Analyse and report on the financial performance of a business in comparison to other business entities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Perform complex and relevant tax computations for a range of taxpayers.
• Discuss and apply principles of tax legislation to identified scenarios and problems.
• Provide taxation and taxation advice to effectively structure a taxpayer's tax liability.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Prepare reports to management on a range of solutions to a complex problem within a business utilising advanced knowledge from all core disciplines.
• Evaluate and appropriately report on strategic issues with a business.
• Perform complex calculations, taking into account all relevant financial and taxation legislations.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual Formative Assessment is required so that learners are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes. The scheme of work includes assignments, real-world briefs, tests and an integrated programme portfolio based on the learning material and learners are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

Summative Assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include integrated Assessments which test the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practiced and assessed.

Summative Assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.