Postgraduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with skills that will enable them to operate in specialised accountancy. Qualified learners will be able to undertake research and improve on other related skills such as writing.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Understand corporate reporting, business analysis and governance, including risk and ethics.
• Convert transactional financial data into financial statements using the formal prescribed accounting standards as well as evaluate and make recommendations based on the information within these statements.
• Operate in both turbulent and stable economic environments and respond effectively to uncertainties.
• Access, process and communicate information appropriately and effectively.
• Engage in continuous learning through the exercise of fundamental learning skills and understands the requirement to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast the changing business, financial and policy environment which brings ever new methods, techniques, and competitive challenges.
• Work individually, as part of a team and as a part of a multi-divisional operation.
• Develop ethical and practical leadership skills including abilities to exercise judgement within an environment of competing values.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy is designed to provide learners with knowledge of specialised accountancy and equip them with skills to solve problems related to Accountancy. This qualification allows learners to advance and excel with their studies at higher levels. It is targeted for learners who want to pursue a career as an Accountant and assist them to write qualifying examinations with the Association of Charted Certified Accountants (ACCA). The aim of this qualification is to allow learners who do not want to be chartered accountants an opportunity to still pursue a qualification at a Postgraduate level. There is great market demand for this qualification as some learners intend to pursue a more general accounting career and this qualification will assist them in getting one step forward in their career.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry to this qualification is a three (3) year Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 72 Credits

• Governance, Risk and Ethics, 24 Credits.
• Corporate Reporting, 24 Credits.
• Business Analysis, 24 Credits.

Electives, 48 Credits (select two)

• Advanced Financial Management, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Performance Management, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Taxation, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Audit and Assurance, 24 Credits.

1. Understand corporate reporting, business analysis and governance, including risk and ethics.
2. Convert transactional financial data into financial statements using the formal prescribed accounting standards as well as evaluate and make recommendations based on the information within these statements.
3. Operate in both turbulent and stable economic environments and respond effectively to uncertainties.
4. Access, process and communicate information appropriately and effectively.
5. Engage in continuous learning through the exercise of fundamental learning skills and understand the requirement to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of the changing business, financial and policy environment which brings new methods, techniques, and competitive challenges.
6. Work individually, as part of a team and as a part of a multi-divisional operation.
7. Develop ethical and practical leadership skills including abilities to exercise judgement within an environment of competing values.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Understand the role of an Accountant within an ethical framework.
• Apply and evaluate financial reporting principles in a variety of business contexts.
• Evaluate a strategic position, determine a strategic choice, and implement a strategic action.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Prepare auditable financial statements to international standards.
• Use critical thinking to analyse the validity and reliability of evidence in a wide range of contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Formulate and solve problems effectively.
• Interpret and apply new legislation and accounting standards.
• Propose potential solutions to convergent and divergent economic, organisational, business and social problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Understand and use skills to manage oneself and exercise self-discipline.
• Initiate and plan the successful completion of projects and administrative tasks individually or in collaboration.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Show a value system in the conduct of studies.
• Understand and apply the importance of ethical and professional behaviour.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment will be integrated throughout this qualification. Continuous formative assessment is required to ensure that learners get feedback on their progress towards the achievement of outcomes. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement should include 'integrated assessments' which assesses the students' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification.

Learners will be required to write tests and examinations for each of the various modules completed throughout this Degree. Additionally, verbal and written assignments will be administered within the qualification to ascertain all skills have been tested accordingly within this qualification.