Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences

Purpose

Studying accountancy at postgraduate level enables learners to become skilled at and discover the various causes of successes and failures of different business enterprises. Studying accountancy, learners will acquire the skill to analyse, record, classify and summarise the context in a significant manner in terms of money available and transactions. Learners will interpret results of these transactions and financial events. The Postgraduate Diploma: Accounting Sciences integrates the study of the theory and current practice of accounting with research and computer applications. Learners will observe, investigate, and identify problems through testing and collecting data using different methods, draw conclusions about the data and communicate to the relevant stakeholders. The qualification is also useful if a learner is interested in a career in Finance, Operations and Product Control within the financial sector.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma: Accounting Science prepares learners for careers in public, corporate, not-for-profit, and governmental accounting. The qualification assists learners to attain knowledge through study, practice, investigation, and careful observation. The Postgraduate Diploma: Accounting Sciences is intended for candidates who wish to gain admission to the Postgraduate Diploma: Applied Accounting Sciences to be certified Competent in the Theory of Accountancy (CTA) to sit for Part One of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants' (SAICA's) Qualifying Examination (QE1). The CTA is not an independent qualification, but only an approval, based on this SAICA-accredited postgraduate qualification, to be permitted to register with SAICA to sit for its QE1. The qualification is designed not only to prepare learners for the CTA examination but also to provide a strong knowledge of accounting principles and business applications.

It is assumed that the learner

• Is able to analyse and respond to a variety of texts.
• Have detailed knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies in the disciplines of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation.
• Is able to learn independently in an open and distance learning context (ODL) with minimum support.
• Can communicate what has been learnt comprehensibly in the medium of instruction.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the institutional RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through recognition of prior learning.

The institution's RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment. Institutional lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes.

Access to the Qualification

In order to gain admission to the Postgraduate Diploma: Accounting Sciences learners must be in possession of a Degree or Advanced Diploma recognised by SAICA for becoming a Chartered Accountant.

The qualification consists of 5 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, each with 24 credits, worth a total of 120 credits.

Modules

• Financial Accounting.
• Financial Accounting.
• Management Accounting.
• Auditing.
• Taxation.

1. Apply sound accounting theory and practice relevant to the accounting function in business.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate skills in a rational and logical manner.
3. Practise the ethics pertinent to Accounting, Business, Commerce and Management and in particular those pertinent to an Accountant and Independent Auditor.
4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theories and practices pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation specifically and also in the related fields of business, commerce and management studies.
5. Identify and solve problems, specifically pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, but also in the related fields of business, commerce and management studies.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in managing the applied accounting sciences' activity and the ability to conduct applied accounting engagements, both assurance and consulting, in diverse business environments.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Use disciplinary- and interdisciplinary-based information to take an informed stand in regard to accounting, business and trade policies.
• Assume a personal role in the accounting and business environments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Write business reports in an acceptable format.
• Use language effectively to convey ideas and insights intelligibly.
• Evaluate, interpret and generate information from a variety of sources.
• Explain the ramifications of accounting and economic policy and business decisions in a language which is accessible to the general public and various stakeholders in the business community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply knowledge and understanding of the ethics implied by corporate governance principles.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the ethics prescribed by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
• Demonstrate understanding of the need to act professionally and ethically to clients, employees and the world at large.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse, evaluate and apply advanced business, commerce and management theories and principles to practical situations.
• Contribute to the improvement and development (in a limited manner) of principles and procedures in practical situations.
• Customise and adapt international business, commerce and management practices and theories to South African requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Recognise problems in the Accounting, Auditing and Taxation fields and related disciplines.
• Develop appropriate solutions in the applied accounting sciences' context.
• Formulate appropriate responses to resolve both concrete and abstract problems that accountants and auditors are normally confronted with.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Show integrated knowledge of the nature and theory of specific audit engagements and the applied accounting process.
• Apply advanced judgemental processes to identify and plan applied accounting assignments for the applied accounting activity.
• Express knowledge of information technology, risk based auditing, control frameworks and control systems so as to adequately perform audit assignments and to advise management and audit committees on appropriate practice.
• Analyse and evaluate operations within organisations.
• Analyse and test control and advise on control systems.
• Report findings and follow up on the implementation of applied accounting activities.
• Establish and manage activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.
• Monitor the quality of work performed within the activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.

Integrated Assessment

For award of this qualification, candidates must achieve each of the compulsory modules. Each module completed during this qualification will have formative assessment and summative assessment in the form of tests (four tests of five hours each) written under examination conditions during the year, assignments and exams. Integrated assessment implies that all assessments will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competencies on the level required for this qualification. Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules.