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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
103080  Higher Certificate in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification will provide accounting knowledge, skills and attributes to ensure understanding and competence in assisting in the performance of reporting functions, rendering of taxation services and under the supervision of an accountant in accordance with the regulatory framework. Graduates will have foundational theoretical knowledge, together with practical skills. They will be able to apply knowledge and skills in relation to bookkeeping as well as clerical work in the field of accounting. The significance of this qualification is that it will enable learners in the targeted areas to enter a number of career paths and to apply their learning to different financial contexts from the outset. The qualification aims to develop graduates who can demonstrate technical skills in the field of finance appropriate to industry needs.

Rationale:
A Higher Certificate in Accounting is primarily a vocational learning qualification at Level 5 of the National Qualification Framework (NQF) with the minimum credits of 120 offered over a period of 1 year full time, preparing individuals for a career in the fields of finance.

The qualification will contribute to regional and national goals through by building the capacity of Grade 12 learners in accountancy for industry and government sectors. Graduates will be competent in their accountancy skill at the junior level of companies who are required according to national audits received by many public sector enterprises and private small business.

The typical students for this qualification are those with a National Senior Certificate or the National Certificate Vocational with appropriate subject combination and levels of achievement. As the qualification is primarily vocational, qualified students will be able to work in industry-oriented sectors. Graduates will be equipped to work as bookkeepers, banking clerks, audit clerks, Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME) clerks, and municipal clerks.

The Department of Higher Education and Training has expressed that there should be wider access of post-secondary graduates into the higher education sector. Therefore, the Higher Certificate will provide access to thousands of students who do not qualify to immediately register for a Diploma but who wish to follow a career path in accountancy. As there is a huge shortage of accountancy technicians in the workplace, the qualification will prepare students at an entry level in both general principles and practical techniques for the accountancy industry.

The qualification will provide contact tuition and access to thousands of Grade 12 learners who wish to pursue studies in accountancy and bridge the knowledge gap required in the economy. While the economy in general is not doing well, the accounting field is thriving well and there is a need for basic accountants at a beginner level to provide vital services to all types of companies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants requesting Recognition of Prior Learning are to complete the RPL Application Form and submit it together with a prescribed Application Fee and portfolio of evidence to the Registrar's Office. Assessment for RPL will be done in compliance with the institutions policy on assessment and moderation and will be informed accordingly of the outcome thereafter. An applicant may appeal against a decision if he/she feels dissatisfied with the process or assessment decision.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement to the Higher Certificate in Accounting is a:
  • Senior Certificate without endorsement. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting IA, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting IB, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Taxation I, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Business Information Systems I, 12 Credits.
  • Microeconomics I, 12 Credits.
  • Work-Integrated learning (WIL) in Accounting I (Simulation), 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Business Mathematics I, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Fundamentals of Financial Planning I, 12 Credits.
  • Communication for academic purposes I, 10 Credits.
  • Computer literacy I, 10 Credits.
  • Life skills I, 2 Credits.
  • Academic literacy I, 2 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the introduction to financial accounting, microeconomics, introduction to tax, introduction to business information systems, introduction to business mathematics, introduction to fundamentals of financial planning and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
    2. Understand how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within introduction to financial accounting, microeconomics, introduction to tax, business information systems, introduction to fundamentals of financial planning and introduction to business mathematics.
    3. Identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new problems within the context of introduction to financial accounting, microeconomics, introduction to fundamentals of financial planning, introduction to tax, business information systems and introduction to business mathematics and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of that field, discipline or practice, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to business studies, demonstrating an understanding of the consequences.
    4. Take account of, and act in accordance with, prescribed organizational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and practices and to seek guidance on ethical and professional issues where necessary.
    5. Gather information from introduction to financial accounting, microeconomics, and introduction to fundamentals of financial planning, introduction to tax, business information systems and introduction to business mathematics, basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information, including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to business studies.
    6. Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for the introduction to financial accounting, microeconomics, and introduction to fundamentals of financial planning, introduction to tax, business information systems and introduction to business mathematics, in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
    7. Analyse, select and interpret a range of financial accounting, microeconomics, tax, business information systems and business mathematics, demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
    8. Evaluate own performance or the performance of others, and to take appropriate action where necessary; to take responsibility for his or her learning within a structured learning process; and to promote the learning of others. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understand the introduction to financial accounting and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Understand the microeconomics and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Understand the macroeconomics and demonstrate an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Understanding of the introduction to tax and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Understand the business information systems and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Understand the introduction to business mathematics and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Understanding of the professional standards and ethics and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Understand how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within introduction to financial accounting.
  • Understand how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within microeconomics.
  • Understand how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within macroeconomics.
  • Understand how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within introduction to introduction to tax.
  • Understand how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within business information systems.
  • Understand of how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within introduction to business mathematics.
  • Understand of how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within the professional ethics and standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify, evaluate, solve and define routine and new problems of the introduction in accounting and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Identify, evaluate, solve and define routine and new problems of the microeconomics and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Identify, evaluate, solve and define routine and new problems of the macroeconomics and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Identify, evaluate, solve and define routine and new problems of the introduction to tax and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.
  • Identify, evaluate, solve and define routine and new problems of business information systems and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of business studies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Take account of prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conducts and values and practices.
  • Act in accordance with the prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct and values and practices.
  • Seek guidance on ethical and professional issues where necessary

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Gather information from introduction to financial accounting processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to business studies.
  • Gather information from microeconomics basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence.
  • Gather information from macroeconomics basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to business studies.
  • Gather information from introduction to tax basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to business studies.
  • Gather information from business information systems basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to business studies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for the introduction to financial accounting in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for the microeconomics in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for the in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for the introduction to tax in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for business information systems in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for the introduction to business mathematics in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for professional ethics and standards in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Operate in a range of introduction to financial accounting demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
  • Operate in a range of microeconomics demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
  • Operate in a range of macroeconomics demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
  • Operate in a range of introduction to tax demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
  • Operate in a range of business information systems demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
  • Operate in a range of introduction to business mathematics demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
  • Operate in a range of professional ethics and standards demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Evaluate own performance or the performance of others, and to take appropriate action where necessary to take responsibility for his or her learning within a structured learning.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For the assessment strategy as a whole, evidence must be demonstrated through a variety of options which can include formative assessment such as tests, case studies, problem solving assignments, projects and practical exercises. Learners will be required to compile a portfolio of learning materials. Summative assessment will consist of written examinations.

    Integrated assessment will measure applied competence. It will assess whether learners are able to recognise, identify and assess internal and external factors that influence the accounting environment (practical competence), understand the theoretical and fundamental basis of accounting principles (foundational competence) and apply accounting principles in order to make economic decisions (reflective competence). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable as far as outcomes, notional hours and level of difficulty to the following qualifications:

    Ireland Institute of Technology:
    The Institute of Accounting Technicians in Ireland offers a Certificate for Accounting Technicians which is a one year qualification also aiming at creating a progression pathway for students into a Diploma. Once the students have successfully completed their first year they will receive a certificate of accounting technicians award.

    The following are the subjects covered at first level:
  • Financial Accounting Taxation
  • Law and Ethics
  • Business management

    Victoria University, Melbourne (Australia) offers the Certificate IV in Accounting:

    This qualification provides students with a pathway into exciting career as a registered Business Activity Statements (BAS) Agent. The certificate IV in Accounting equips students with technical skills and knowledge to succeed in the financial sector. The qualification also presents a pathway to completing Monarch's Diploma in Accounting.

    The qualification provides learners with the following qualification content:
  • Accounting principles and practice.
  • Accounting applications.
  • Accounting professional applications.

    Conclusion:
    There is a great deal of similarity between the courses and learning content of these qualifications and those of the Certificate in Accounting. This implies that the Certificate in Accounting is internationally comparable. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

    Horizontal articulation can occur with proposed:
  • Higher Certificates in a relevant field.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Accounting/Taxation/Financial Management/Financial Planning/Public Finance/Economics/Auditing, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Accounting/Taxation/Financial Management/Financial Planning/Public Finance/Economics/Auditing, Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.