SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73493  Higher Certificate in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National 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  Level 5  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 Higher Certificate in Accounting is an undergraduate Qualification that offers a combination of conceptual theory and practice in the key areas of accounting and related subjects.

It provides a relevant higher education Qualification enabling students to gain meaningful employment.

The programme will develop junior management and leadership skills, and provide participants with elementary skills in accounting, organisation and management.

Rationale:

The Higher Certificate in Accounting (hereafter referred to as HCA):
  • Contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.
  • Empowers learners with Financial and Business Management skills and competencies necessary to function and progress in a variety of environments.
  • Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment.
  • Bridges the skills gap identified in the financial services sector by providing trained/qualified individuals. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This Qualification assumes that:
  • The learner is competent in the language of instruction of the programme.
  • Participants are able to work effectively both independently and in groups.
  • The learner has obtained the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Admission to this programme may be obtained through the recognition of prior learning. Candidates who do not qualify for admission in terms of the minimum admission criteria may be considered for admission through a process of RPL in keeping with the RBS RPL policy.

    Access to the Qualification:

    The minimum Level of attainment required for entry into this programme is a Senior Certificate or equivalent.

    In addition to the above admission criteria, the following will also be considered:
  • RPL of the student with particular reference to.
  • Work experience.
  • A detailed motivational letter and Curriculum Vitae.
  • Prior learning-relevant to the programmes formal and informal learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learning Components; Number of credits allocated; NQF Level:
  • Fundamental (Business Information Systems and Business Management); 40; 5.
  • Core (Economics, Financial Management, Commercial Law and Accounting); 80; 5. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Overall Exit Level Outcomes:

    A learner attaining the Higher Certificate: Accounting will be able to:
  • Apply financial and business management principles in a work-based context.
  • Utilise technology to communicate effectively.
  • Analyse and use financial information for business decision making.
  • Identify the critical success factors for starting and managing a small business.
  • Design and implement marketing strategies to leverage business opportunities.
  • Operate as informed junior accountants and managers.

    Specific Outcomes (for each Module):

    Module Title: Financial Accounting.

    Credit Points: 20 Credits.

    At the end of the module the learner will be able to:
  • Record transactions in various journals.
  • Process transactions using the accounting equation.
  • Evaluate the fundamental principles of Accounting.
  • Collect, record and process accounting data.
  • Prepare data for disclosure.
  • Record transactions from incomplete records.
  • Evaluate the fundamental principles of Income Tax.
  • Prepare Statutory Tax returns.

    Module Title: Financial Management.

    Credit Points: 20.

    At the end of the module the learner will be able to:
  • Read the financial statements and make informed judgements on the financial well being of companies.
  • Gain an appreciation and understanding of the sources and utilization of the fund flows in an organization.
  • Analyse and interpret key financial ratios reflecting the profitability, growth and risk of an organization.
  • Perform simple computations to reflect the value of money for multi-period flow of funds.

    Module Title: Commercial Law.

    Credit Points: 20 Credits.

    At the end of the module the student will be able to:
  • Define legal terminology.
  • Outline the principles governing law of contract.
  • Distinguish between the various rules concerning binding contracts.
  • Decide when a contract is in breach.
  • Remedy a breach of contract.
  • Describe the process of termination of contracts.
  • Assist in deciding on forms of business.

    Module Title: Business Information Systems.

    Credit Points: 20 Credits.

    At the end of the module the student will be able to:
  • Describe the operational and managerial roles of information systems.
  • Gain an appreciation of the major concepts, developments and managerial implications involved in computer hardware, software, database management and telecommunications technologies.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how information technology is used in modern information systems to support the end user collaboration, enterprise operations, managerial decision making and strategic advantage.
  • Utilize IS systems to support decision making.

    Module Title: Economics.

    Credit Points: 20 Credits.

    At the end of the module the student will be able to:
  • Explain the existence of various economic systems.
  • Identify the economic problem and provide solutions to these problems.
  • Apply appropriate methods to measure economic activity.
  • Establish how firms and households play a part in determining price level.
  • Explain how economic conditions operate under perfect and imperfect conditions.

    Module Title: Business Management.

    Credit Points: 20.

    At the end of the module the student will be able to:
  • Outline the meaning of business management.
  • Identify the processes involved in the management environment.
  • Identify with the development of management theory.
  • Describe the processes involved in managing a business.
  • Describe the concept of SMME's in the South African concept. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Financial and business management theory and principles are applied in a work-based context.
  • The use of case studies to solve problems.
  • Appropriate technology is utilised in various communication modes.

    Assessment is based on:
  • Work based assignments to test the application of management principles in an organisation.
  • The use of information technology, networks and web browsers to obtain work related information and communicate with peers.
  • The use of basic problem solving techniques.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment centres on:
  • The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of management education.
  • The application of theory to a practical context.
  • The methods of research used.
  • A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the Qualification.
  • The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

    The Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules and contact sessions. These assessment methods include:
  • Case studies.
  • Report writing.
  • Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
  • Work based assignments.
  • Self assessment activities in the course material. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The programme was designed in accordance with the principles enunciated in Chapters Three and Four of the DoE publication A Qualification Structure for Universities in South Africa, Report 116, DoE (96/02). The programme was benchmarked against similar programmes offered in South Africa and against those of a number of international institutions whose curricula and syllabi are available on the internet. The programme was also designed to link the RBS Higher Certificate in Accounting to the RBS Diploma in Financial Management programme and with the RBS BCom programme, which gives it added purpose and distinctiveness.

    Some of the organisations used in the benchmarking exercise were:
  • UNISA.
  • University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
  • University of Luton.

    Having identified best practice from leading institutions locally and abroad, the curriculum and content was then developed. The programme has also been structured on the basis of ensuring that it has both national and regional orientation. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The programme articulates vertically with the RBS BCom degree programme:
  • As the HCA is a basic NQF Level 5 Qualification students can pursue their careers further at a Diploma and Degree levels.
  • The programme articulates horizontally with the RBS and other Higher Education Institutions Certificate programmes. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • All examination question papers are moderated.
  • The minimum number of examination scripts sent for moderation is 20 or 20% of the total. The Examinations Board approves both the appointment of moderators and final assessment marks. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    To qualify as an assessor an individual must:
  • Generally have a Higher Education qualification at least one level higher than the course being assessed.
  • Be in the possession of Qualifications that are relevant to the programme.

    The following criteria are used for appointing external moderators:
  • Their experience of examining similar programme.
  • Their expertise in the subject area.
  • Have a Qualification at least one level higher than the programme being assessed. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Rules governing the award of the qualification:

    An award of the Regent Business School (RBS) will be conferred when the following conditions are satisfied:
  • The candidate was bona-fide registered student of RBS for Higher Certificate in Accounting programme.
  • Details of the candidate's full name, date of birth, gender, programme and award have been registered by RBS.
  • It has been confirmed that the candidate has completed the Higher Certificate in Accounting programme of study.
  • The award is approved by the Examinations Board. 
    		•

    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.
     
    1. Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 


    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.