Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Taxation

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Taxation is to prepare a learner to

• Analyse information supplied by the taxpayer, report on this information and provide advice on taxation issues.
• Prepare and review relevant tax returns and assess and verify correctness thereof.
• Handle tax disputes by reporting, engaging and mediating on behalf of the taxpayer.
• Formulate, submit, and interpret tax opinions.
• Provide advice on retirement and wealth planning to individuals.

Upon completing this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Register and process all taxpayers and finalise income tax, payroll tax and VAT returns and Estate duty.
• Review and audit tax balances by applying and interpreting Tax and Tax Administration Acts.
• Analyse and assess a critical review of financial statements, financial reports and principles for tax purposes as well as retirement and wealth planning.
• Mediate on all tax disputes on behalf of the taxpayer.
• Research and write tax opinions on tax matters.

Rationale

Accountants and financial managers at various levels in South Africa are recognised by the Department of Home Affairs as a scarce skill in the Government Gazette, 37716 of 2014. This includes trained Tax Advisors. More recently a list of occupations in high demand was published which mentions "Financial Advisors". Estate and Retirement planning will form part of this qualification.

This institution is the only public contact institution in South Africa aspiring to offer a qualification that targets the knowledge and practical components of the Tax Advisor designation of the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT). This qualification will offer a career path for learners who wish to specialise in the field of Taxation.

A needs analysis conducted by the Department of Financial Accounting and Taxation suggested that there is no specific qualification in South Africa that covers the knowledge component of the Tax Advisor designation from SAIT with specialization specifically in Taxation which includes practical skills, such as efiling and other computer applications. There is a need for a full rounded qualification that covers the knowledge and practical components of the Tax Advisor designation of SAIT.

Not only will this qualification provide an articulation route for the learners to specialise in the field of Taxation, but it will also provide an articulation route for learners from other institutions in South Africa to articulate into this qualification to specialise.

The Department of Financial Accounting and Taxation is developing this qualification in conjunction with SAIT so that it is aligned with the knowledge and practical requirements of the Tax Advisor designation of SAIT. Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners can apply for membership of the Tax Advisor and complete their workplace component to qualify as a Tax Advisor through SAIT.

The qualification is intended to provide an articulation route into research. To prepare learners for further research studies into Master degrees, there will be a research project built into the programme to develop the learners' interest in research.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. RPL is applied in terms of the policy and criteria of the institution. The necessary documentary evidence will have to be provided and a formal RPL process will be followed. The institution will apply in this qualification the RPL for both access and credits in line with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of RPL (Amended in March 2019).

RPL for Access

Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the required qualification may be considered for RPL. There are two options:

• Advanced Standing, in which case the minimum entry requirements are waived by the admitting institution based on evidence of prior learning, work experience or any other relevant circumstances that may apply to an individual learner. No portfolio is required.

OR

• Applicants may provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired sufficient relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies to be able to reasonably meet the expectations for learning demanded by the qualification for which they are seeking access.
• In instances where RPL is applied for the purposes of access, no credits will be awarded for any previous learning. However, the candidate may choose the option of being assessed for credit.

RPL for credits

Learners who do meet the necessary entry requirements for admission to a qualification may be awarded some or all the credits towards the qualification. There are two possibilities:

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from a module or some modules by providing sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that a level of competency, equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module or modules, has been achieved. Credits will be awarded for such modules.

OR

• Learners may apply for RPL to be awarded all the credits required for the qualification. Sufficient evidence must be provided that demonstrates a level of competency equivalent to all the learning outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Technology in Taxation, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Commerce in Taxation, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Accountancy, NQF level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Taxation, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 124 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,120 Credits

• Income Tax Analysis - Businesses, 20 Credits.
• Income Tax Analysis - Individuals, 20 Credits.
• Value-added tax (VAT) Analytics, 20 Credits.
• Accounting for Tax Practitioners, 12 Credits.
• Tax Administration, 20 Credits.
• Retirement and Wealth Planning, 20 Credits.
• Workplace based learning, 12 Credits.

1. Register, evaluate and process different categories of taxpayers, finalise income tax, VAT and payroll returns and liabilities
2. Develop, interpret and recommend accounting systems. Analyse and assess a critical review of financial statements, financial reports, and principles according to statutory requirements. Apply and review the most advantageous decisions to develop creative responses to problems and issues to support strategic planning.
3. Review and assess advanced and complex tax balances and assessments. Verify taxable income and value-added tax inputs and outputs through the application of auditing principles and techniques by applying the risk profile of tax entities to be audited and the methodology to be used.
4. Defend and justify research methodology techniques to appraise, construct and solve problems in the field of taxation in decision-making and use of resources, relevant legislation, case laws, and industry-related issues. Indicate an ability to apply, in a self-critical manner, learning strategies that effectively address his or her professional and ongoing learning needs.
5. Designing and constructing advanced estate duty and wealth planning (including wills) and formation of trusts by indicating creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.
6. Apply and indicate knowledge of the Tax Administration Act, the procedures, and techniques of how to meditate in tax disputes and the writing of tax opinions. Assess an ability to identify, address and engage in ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems pertaining to specific contexts and taxpayers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Successfully register taxpayers for the different categories and types of taxes.
• Correctly evaluate and finalise Income Tax, VAT and payroll returns and liabilities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Correctly develop, interpret and recommend accounting systems.
• Appropriately analyse and assess a critical review of financial statements, including capital reconciliation, financial reports, and principles according to statutory requirements.
• Correctly apply and review the most advantageous decisions to develop creative responses to problems and issues to support strategic planning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Correctly review and assess advanced and complex tax balances and assessments for all taxes.
• Accurately verify taxable income and VAT inputs and outputs through the application of auditing principles and techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Appropriately defend and justify research methodology techniques to appraise, construct and solve problems and write opinions in the field of taxation.
• Correctly apply case laws and industry-related issues in writing opinions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Accurately design and construct advanced estate duty and wealth planning (including the setting of wills) and formation of trusts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Correctly apply and indicate knowledge of the Tax Administration Act.
• Correctly apply and indicate the procedures and techniques of how to meditate in tax disputes and the writing of tax opinions.
• Adequately assess and engage in ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems pertaining to specific context and taxpayers.