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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce in Forensic Accountancy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100947  Bachelor of Commerce in Forensic Accountancy 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
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 First Degree  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 07  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Forensic Accountancy is to provide learners with graduate knowledge of concepts, structures, models, theories, principles, skills, research methodologies and applied competence enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in the forensic accountancy profession. Learners who meet the specific admission requirements can furthermore enrol for the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Forensic Accountancy. Qualifying learners can qualify to register as Commercial Forensic Practitioners with the Institute for Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP).

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Commerce in Forensic Accountancy aims to provide South Africa with graduates who are competent in the field of forensic accountancy with the capacity to understand and function in the commercial forensic environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution, or informally (by experience), is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits.

RPL concerns the provable knowledge and skills that a learner has acquired. At all times the question will be what the level of skills and knowledge is, which will be assessed in the context of the exit level outcomes required by the qualification or modules; or the status for which the learner applies, and not merely by virtue of the experience recorded by the learner.

The RPL will therefore take place in terms of applied competencies demonstrated by the learner in his/her application and the portfolio of evidence submitted, taking into consideration the exit level outcomes that have to be obtained. In cases where prior learning at other institutions, or relevant experience, is deemed to compensate for the lack of formal qualifications required above, a learner may be admitted for study.

Entry Requirements:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Bachelors, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV) with endorsement, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 136 Credits:
  • Accounting, 16 Credits.
  • Business Forms, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Mathematics Technology, 12 Credits.
  • Forensic Accounting 1, 16 Credits.
  • Forensic Accounting 2, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Contracts and Business Law, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Management and Management Processes, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Economics, 12 Credits.
  • Accounting 1, 16 Credits.
  • Introductory Statistics, 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 5, 12 Credits:
  • Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
  • Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 164 Credits:
  • Criminal Law: General Principles, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Income Tax on Companies and VAT, 12 Credits.
  • The Auditor and the Audit Process, 12 Credits.
  • Forensic Accountancy 3, 16 Credits.
  • Forensic Accounting 4, 16 Credits.
  • Criminal Procedure, 16 Credits.
  • Accounting 2, 32 Credits.
  • Application and Computer Auditing, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Mercantile Law, 12 Credits.
  • Professional Ethics for Accountants, 12 Credits.
  • Income Tax of Individuals and Administration of Estate, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the knowledge, skills and professional values and ethics that will enable the learner to continue to learn and adapt to change throughout his/her professional life.
    2. Make successful use of the knowledge gained through education.
    3. Acquire intellectual, technical and functional, personal, interpersonal and communication skills necessary for forensic accounting investigations.
    4. Accept and observe ethical principles regulating all their relationships. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Analyse, evaluate and apply a systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Critically reflect on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice; professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
  • Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The Bachelor of Commerce in Forensic Accountancy employs formative, summative and integrated assessments throughout the three years of study, in the form of written as well as practical assignments, class tests and examinations in all the modules included in the qualification. The learners' skills at communicating orally and in written format, using appropriate Information Technology, are also assessed, as well as her/his computer literacy.

    Assessment focuses particularly on a critical, creative and interpretative perspective of the various disciplines. WIL (Practical experiential learning, simulated learning, laboratory work, practicals, etc. excluding workplace-based learning) as stipulated in the Assessment and Moderation Policy of the institution, Qualification and module outcomes and assessment criteria are clearly formulated according to the SAQA level descriptors and correctly communicated to learners as guiding principle for assessment practices at the institution. At least one opportunity for integrated assessment, where the main purpose and key outcomes of the qualification/internal programme is assessed, is included in the assessment activities for this qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Forensic Accountancy is a new field and recent profession. As such; the Institute for Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP) was established in 2010 and is currently in the process of implementing policies and procedures for the forensic accountancy profession. As part of this process, the qualification will be submitted for accreditation with the ICFP in the near future. The qualification is however accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates both horizontally and vertically:

    Horizontal articulation:
    Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Science and Technology, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Forensic Accountancy, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Accountancy and Investigation, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    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. North West University 


    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.