Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Accounting

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with a qualification in order for them to perform their duties and further their studies in public sector accounting. Qualified learners will be provided with a thorough understanding of the accounting principles and regulations for public sector entities, including management and governance, in South Africa, in order to become knowledgeable, skilled graduates in public sector financial management, auditing and financial reporting. In addition, it will further enhance the knowledge of Financial Officers and Managers who will benefit from learning the most recent Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) standards and acquire a thorough knowledge of recent legislation and amendments of which they may not be familiar. The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Accounting has also been designed to provide learners with knowledge and skills that will enable them to operate effectively in public sector accounting.

Rationale

This qualification has been developed in liaison with National Treasury, the Auditor General, the South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA), and the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). This qualification serves as a response to the urgent need in South Africa for competent and accountable public sector financial managers in order to improve public sector recording and reporting. Accounting graduates are provided an efficient route to completing the qualification required to be eligible to pursue a career in National, Provincial and Local government organisations.

The aim of this qualification is to support government entities (specifically local government) with capacity development. These entities require Financial Accountants and Managers to have a thorough understanding of public finance; to make financial decisions and to design and operate financial systems for service delivery and accountability in the management of public funds.. National Treasury and other stakeholders indicated their desire that this qualification be available at national level.

Due to the broad interest in this qualification from outside the Western Cape, and the fact that many potential learners may not reside in the Western Cape, offering this qualification on an online learning platform for wider access seems to be the next logical step.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not have a Degree or an Advanced Diploma but have another tertiary qualification and/or at least 5 years working experience in a related organisational setting may be assessed through a combination of case studies and entrance examinations to determine whether they have the necessary educational ability and motivation as someone with the Level 7 Exit Level Outcomes, in accordance with the institution's policy. All successful applicants will be required to partake in a 3-day contact period at the outset of each year which has the dual purpose of introducing the field of legal compliance to learners and to determine whether each successful RPL candidate has the necessary educational ability and motivation as someone with the Level 7 Exit Level Outcomes. Exemption from this qualification will be at the discretion of the course convener.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry to this qualification is

• A three (3) year Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Accounting at Level 7 (accredited by a professional body [South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and/or South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT).

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

Modules

• Public Sector Financial Reporting, 36 Credits.
• Public Sector Structures and Functions, 24 Credits.
• Audit, Compliance and Ethics, 24 Credits.
• Public Financial Management, 36 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

• Prepare, produce and present written texts, calculations and other financial information in descriptive, prescriptive and logical formats according to the generally accepted accounting principles and applicable standards for government institutions.
• Design, analyse and critically evaluate written texts, financial information and related information systems for effective monitoring, control and protection of government assets.
• Find information of professional relevance efficiently and independently and use and organise such information to conduct systematic research aimed at providing answers to questions whose resolutions are not antecedently known or to verifying answers that are assumed on the basis of `accepted wisdom'.
• Understand and apply public and administration legislation and policies, identify ethical dilemmas in a business or government situation and make decisions that ensure the public interest in paramount.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.

• Use information-technology standard in government offices efficiently and independently.
• Appreciate the importance of life-long learning and the importance of self-initiative in pursuing it.
• Understand and internalise, as a personal value, the importance of ethical behaviour and professional conduct within the scope of national, provincial, municipal and international law.
• Critically engage with different theoretical constructs and frameworks as they apply to the public-sector management and reporting of information.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory environment with regards to legislation, corporate governance, the regulatory structure generally and the role and responsibility of the Accounting Officer of a public sector entity.
• Prepare capital and expenditure budgets in compliance with the relevant legislation and regulations, and in alignment with the key performance indicators of the public sector entity.
• Make a positive contribution in a wide variety of organisational settings and sectors, especially conscious of the specific accounting and reporting needs of each particular context.

Integrated Assessment

Learning is assessed in a number of important ways

• Theoretically through essays, tests, papers and exams.
• Practically in the assessment of their compliance frameworks which they develop in accordance with a particular situational context in case study form.

In this way, any number of theoretical constructs are tested repeatedly across a number of theoretical and practical platforms and practical scenarios which graduates will encounter when employed in the public sector.

For each of the four individual modules: formative assessments (including regular submission of assignments and essays), at least one test per semester and final exams.

Assessment for the distance mode will be in line with those used for the contact mode.

Learners are required to achieve a year mark of 40% for each course in order to qualify to write the final examination in that course. The results of the assignments submitted and semester tests during the year will constitute the year mark for each course. The year mark constitutes 40% of the final mark, and a final examination (including an integrated assignment) constitutes 60% of the final mark.

To qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Accounting, learners must attain a minimum mark of 50% in each of the separate modules. A learner who fails only one of the four modules of the qualification may be permitted by Senate to write a supplementary examination in that module.