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: 

Diploma in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96846  Diploma in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Mangosuthu University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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   2033-06-30  

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:
  • Ensure competence in performing, reporting, costing, management accounting and finance, taxation and auditing functions, rendering of accounting, taxation, assurance and advisory services at an intermediate levels.
  • The successful learner/graduate will be able to prepare record, analyse, interpret and manage accounting information for the benefits of both public and private institutions.

    Rationale:
  • Provide learners with the necessary post matric knowledge, competence and skills to work in an accounting environment and understand the world of work, be confident about their value and have a higher than average chance of being employed and facilitate articulation into advanced or higher accounting qualifications.
  • Seeks to equip learners with skills in accounting and related courses thereby satisfying the national demand for public and private sector accounting technicians and professionals.
  • Financial accounting, management accounting, taxation and auditing learners will be equipped to occupy employment in the following areas: creditors' clerks, debtors' clerks, bankers and treasurers, assistant financial accountants, tax professional, cost and management accountants and both internal and external auditors. Learners are also equipped to teach account subject at secondary schools.
  • Building from accounting subjects at secondary schools, the qualification establishes and specialises learners into the four arears of accounting, namely financial reporting, management accounting and finance, taxation and auditing. It furthers prepares learners to articulated and specialise in any of or all the four areas of accounting course.
  • A learner will be developed and equipped with further and speciality accounting knowledge and skills thus ensure the learner's employability and capability to further accounting education which will benefit the society through training of qualified accounting technicians and facilitating economic access to the learner and the society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • Candidates that are able to demonstrate high levels of competencies, through summative assessment processes attached to this qualification, will receive recognition of prior learning.
  • It is recognised that candidates may have been competently performing the competencies contained in this qualification in a workplace setting for many years without having gained any formal qualification. The aim of the summative assessment through the RPL process will be to enable such candidates to obtain qualification in whole or in part.
  • The application for RPL will be required to prepare the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE); and the latter assessed and moderated using tools and techniques used for assessment of the qualification and through applicable unit standards.


    Entry Requirement:
    Candidates shall have obtained a valid National Senior Certificate, a Senior Certificate or equipment with the following minimum rating codes:

    With a National Senior Certificate:
  • Accounting: 4.
  • English Home Language: 4 or English First Additional language: 5.
  • Mathematics: 3 or Mathematic Literacy: 6.
  • Any other subjects with a minimum rating code of 3 excluding Life Orientation.

    With a Senior Certificate:
  • Accounting: D (HG) or A (SG).
  • English: E (HG) or D (SG).
  • Mathematics: D (HG) or C (SG).

    With a National Certificate Vocational:
  • Mathematics: 50% or Mathematic Literacy: 60.
  • English First Additional language: 50%.
  • Life Orientation: 50%.
  • Achieve 60% pass in each of the following three compulsory vocational subjects:
    > Applied Accounting, Financial Management and Economic Environment.

    In addition, candidates are required to have a minimum total of 25 points. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Subjects or modules - All compulsort:
    NQF Level 5:
    Business Information Systems I, 24 Credits.
    Commercial Law for Accountants I, 24 Credits.
    Financial Accounting I, 24 Credits.
    Economics I, 24 Credits.
    English Communication skills, 24 Credits.
    Business Calculations I, 12 Credits.

    NQF Level 6:
    Auditing II , 24 Credits.
    Commercial Law for Accountants II, 24 Credits.
    Cost Accounting II, 24 Credits.
    Financial Accounting II, 24 Credits.
    Taxation I, 24 Credits.
    Entrepreneurial skills, 12 Credits.
    Auditing III, 32 Credits.
    Financial Accounting III, 32 Credits.
    Management Accounting III, 32 Credits.
    Taxation II , 32 Credits.
    Practical Accounting, 24 Credits.
    Total Credits 416. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Prepare record, analyse, interpret and manage accounting information and systems in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and other relevant statutory requirements.
    2. Prepare, analyse, design, implement and apply costing and management accounting and finance techniques and principles for control, profitability and decision-making purposes.
    3. Interpret the Income Tax Act and related statutory taxation guidance for the determination and preparation of taxable income and income tax liabilities and advise with the view to comply with taxation laws and effect tax planning.
    4. Apply and comply with Auditing Statutes and be able to execute the following audit activities: Preliminary Engagement, Planning, obtain audit evidence, Evaluation, Conclusion and Reporting.
    5. Competent to use technology in the execution of accounting functions with specific emphasis on the use of accounting software. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate understanding and application of the Conceptual Framework for the preparation of financial statements.
  • Understand and apply international financial reporting standards for small and medium enterprises (IFRSs of SMEs) to qualifying entities.
  • Apply the knowledge required in terms of the Companies Act of 2008 to the preparation of financial statements and the reporting of financial information.
  • Prepare financial statements that comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted as South African Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
  • Understand the need for group reporting and prepare consolidated financial statements.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal framework application to the accounting discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Inventory systems are correctly administered.
  • Costs of manufactured products are correctly determined.
  • Basic costing systems are correctly operated.
  • Joint and by-products are correctly accounted for.
  • Operating, financial, and master budgets are accurately compiled.
  • Standard costing systems are correctly implemented and operated.
  • Management of resources techniques correctly calculated and interpreted.
  • Qualitative techniques are correctly applied for investment appraisal.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate a well-rounded and systematic knowledge base in determining the total net tax liability in terms of the Income Tax Act as it applies to an individual resident in South Africa.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the total net tax liability, in terms of the Income Tax Act, as it applies to individuals and various types of companies, as well as an ability to evaluate and apply this knowledge.
  • Demonstrate an ability to gather, process and apply information in the context of employees tax and provisional tax" in terms of the Income Tax Act.
  • Demonstrate integrated knowledge of donations tax liability in terms of the Income Tax Act.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate how the estate duty liability in a deceased estate is calculated in accordance with the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, using appropriate professional discourse.
  • Demonstrate the ability to determine the capital gains tax liability for inclusion into the tax normal tax liability of taxpayers.
  • Demonstrate the ability to determine taxations consequences of a sole trader and trusts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate understanding of theory and philosophy of auditing, the Accounting Profession and he financial statement audit engagement.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant auditing statutes.
  • Understand and apply information to practical case studies with specific reference to the Companies Act 2008, the Auditing Professions Act 2004.
  • Define, apply and interpret information relating to corporate.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and execution of Internal Controls, Audit Evidence, the Auditor's toolbox, Audit Sampling - principles and definitions.
  • Understand and explain and execute stages of the audit process.
  • Explain, understand and apply the knowledge to practical case studies in relation to the Accounting systems and internal controls, Control activities, Auditing the cycles.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Students should be able to apply written accounting scenarios using the accounting packages to process financial, taxation, payroll and management accounting data and information.
  • Able to use auditing software to perform assurance and related activities.
  • Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to proficiently use the accounting and payroll software to setup, edit, record, journalise and print correctly formated financial statements and financial and payroll reports.

    Intergrated Assessment:
  • The assessments will include both long and short questions, written and in multiple-choice-formats, use case study format of a model company's financial situation or information.
  • A good amount of calculations would probe numeracy competency and theory-type questions aimed at ensuring that candidates have mastered the relevant fundamental and core principles and knowledge of topics as covered in the prescribed study textbooks and lecture and tutorial class discussions.
  • A typical question could examine the knowledge of journal entries, T-accounts, preparation and presentation of financial statements or part thereof and theoretical knowledge underlying the various integrated accounting, taxation and auditing standards and principles and concepts of managerial accounting and finance with the use of computer software.
  • The format of assessment questions is deliberately varied.
  • Weekly spot tests (including group assignments) and three test series are scheduled during the year and a three-hour final examination.
  • A student must obtain at least 40% overall course mark (see the table below). Weekly Tutorials are to be prepared individually and discussed in classes.

    Contribution:
  • Course Mark (form tests) 40%.
  • Examination 60%.
  • Final mark 100%. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of London in the United Kingdom offers a Diploma in Accounting. This qualification is aimed at individuals who wish to secure a stand-alone qualification in accounting.

    Modules:
  • Principles of Accounting.
  • Financial Management or Corporate Finance.
  • Financial Reporting.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Auditing and Assurance.

    The Swinburn University of Technology in Australia offers Diploma of Accounting that aims at developing basic practical skills in financial accounting, budgeting, auditing, management accounting and taxation. This Diploma consists of 17 Modules, which are:
  • Four industry core modules (communication, use of technology, health and safety practices and principles of professional practice).
  • Five prerequisite modules common to Certificate III in Financial Services (bank receipts, journal entries, computerised accounting system, preparing financial reports and financial records).
  • Five Sectoral core modules, (income tax return, budget and forecasts, financial journal reports, internal control procedures and management accounting information).
  • At least three authorised elective modules (prepare Financial Reports to meet statutory requirements, prepare financial forecasts and projections and develop complex spread sheets).

    The Kaplan Higher Education Institute in Singapore offers a professional Diploma in Accounting and Business Finance. The aim of the qualification is to extend the core knowledge and enhance professional skills in accounting and Business Finance. The Diploma consists of the following modules:
  • Financial Accounting Intensive.
  • Management Accounting and Statistics.
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis Intensive.
  • ntroduction of Psychology and Ethical Decision Making.
  • PC Productivity Tools and Data Management.
  • Dynamics of Business Intensive.
  • Strategic Cost Analysis1.

    Conclusion:
    There is a great deal of similarity between the modules and learning content of these qualifications and those of this Diploma in Accountancy. This implies that the Diploma in Accountancy is internationally comparable. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically with:
  • Bachelor of Accounting, Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting, Level 7.

    This ualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Diploma (Accounting with specialisation in Internal Auditing), Level 6.
  • Diploma (Accounting with specialisation in Taxations), Level 6.
  • Diploma (Financial Management), Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Mangosuthu University of Technology 


    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.