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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101987  Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management 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
Advanced Diploma  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 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is designed to allow qualifying learners an opportunity to acquire applied competences in the field of Accounting. The qualification is designed to empower learners with core Financial Accounting and Management Accounting skills aligned with best practices and quality standards.

This qualification will equip learners with applied competence in mastering, analysis, interpretation and understanding Financial Accounting and Management Accounting and to develop diagnostic skills at entry level in the Finance Department of an organisation.

Learners will acquire the necessary skills to prepare and present accounting information to assist in the decision-making process. Learners will be empowered with the essential knowledge, analytical skills and discipline to operate effectively in any segment of Accounting and to perform management accounting functions in a manufacturing organisation. They will be able to apply accounting techniques to plan and budget.

Rationale:
This qualification is designed to address scarce and critical skills of the Financial Sector in the country and to allow qualifying learners an opportunity to acquire applied competences in the field of Accounting. This qualification will also address scarce and critical skills of the Financial Sector in the country.

This qualification is aligned with the institution's vision and mission of offering Postgraduate qualifications and it is also aligned with the revised structure of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) for articulation from a Diploma to Advanced Diploma and prerequisite to a Postgraduate Diploma or to a Bachelor Honours Degree. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A prospective candidate who does not have a prerequisite qualification, but has sufficient formal, non-formal and informal learning or has developed satisfactory skills in the area of expertise required, may apply for admission to the qualification in terms of the University's RPL Policy. The prospective candidate without a NQF Level 6 or the prerequisite qualification, but who has extensive non-formal and informal prior learning that is similar to the entry requirements for the Advanced Diploma, will be considered for advanced standing as stipulated in the university's RPL Policy.

The assessment for a RPL candidate for advanced standing admission to the Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting will be done in accordance with the rules of the University's procedures for Assessment of RPL. Furthermore, it will be obligatory for the candidate to submit a completed application form together with a Portfolio of Evidence indicating how they meet the department's criteria for entry into the qualification in accordance with the RPL documents for admission after acknowledged by the Head of the Department which will then serve at the various university statutory structures for approval.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entrance requirements are:
  • An appropriate Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, Level 6.
    And
  • Learners must obtain an aggregate pass mark from major subjects and in instances where a student obtained less than aggregate pass mark, a minimum of two years' work experience in an Accounting or related field will be considered. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Management Accounting IV, 24 Credits.
  • Financial Reporting IV, 24 Credits.
  • Financial Management IV, 24 Credits.
  • Systems and Project Management IV, 24 Credits.
  • Business Strategy V, 12 Credits.
  • Basic Research Methodology, 12 Credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply different cost accounting tools and techniques to generate information needed to evaluate and control present and projected performance.
    2. Examine the role of tax in financial analysis and decision-making.
    3. Prepare the full financial statements for a single company and the principal consolidated financial statements for a simple group.
    4. Apply the time value of money to value different financial instruments and make long-term financial decisions.
    5. Apply decision-making and control techniques to ensure maximum performance.
    6. Understand the concept of Business Strategy.
    7. Apply research principles, methodologies and techniques. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Evaluate and apply costing methods and their results.
  • Explain and interpret the role of Material Requirements Planning and Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
  • Understand and apply the principles of environmental costing and the purposes of forecasts, plans and budgets.
  • Prepare information to support project appraisal, forecasts of financial results and budgets based on those forecasts.
  • Evaluate project proposals and analyse the information to assess the impact on decisions of variables with uncertain values.
  • Identify the working capital position of an enterprise, short- term funding and investment opportunities and areas for improvement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explain the accounting rules for current and deferred taxation and the principles that underlie the use of budgets in control.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Prepare full consolidated statements of a single company and the financial position and comprehensive income for a simple group.
  • Research and apply the principles of accounting for capital schemes and foreign exchange rate changes.
  • Understand and discuss accounting principles and their relevance to accounting issues of contemporary interest.
  • Research and apply ratio analysis from financial statements and supporting information.
  • Evaluate performance and position.
  • Understand and discuss contemporary developments in financial and non-financial reporting.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Evaluate and apply long-term capital investment decisions and capital budgeting techniques.
  • Evaluate the leasing decision and alternative sources of finance.
  • Identify and apply the appropriate sources of long-term corporate capital.
  • Evaluate and understand the dividend policy of a company and recommendations regarding the optimum pay-out and retention ratios.
  • Calculate and interpret a company or a division's performance using ratio analysis.
  • Calculate the value of the business operations using different valuation methods.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Discuss and apply concepts of cost and revenue relevant to pricing and product decisions.
  • Analyse short-term pricing, pricing strategies and product decisions.
  • Evaluate and apply the techniques for analysing and managing costs for a competitive advantage.
  • Understand and apply the principles that underlie the use of budgets in control.
  • Evaluate performance using budgets, alternative approaches and sensitivity to variable factors.
  • Discuss the broader managerial issues arising from the use of budgets in control.
  • Evaluate and understand the use of responsibility centres in devising organisational structure and management control.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Formulate the organisations mission, goals, aims and critical success factors.
  • Identify and evaluate long and short-term objectives for the organisation and possible conflict between objectives.
  • Differentiate between formal and less formal approaches to strategy formulation.
  • Outline the process of strategy formulation.
  • Explain the importance of competitive factors in reviewing the position of the organisation.
  • Explain the international influences on the organisation and preparing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) and Political, Economic, Social and Technological (PEST) analysis.
  • Identify and evaluate international factors affecting the market place e.g. Porter's 5 forces model.
  • Prepare reports to management on organisational resources.
  • Benchmark performance against best practice organisations.
  • Explain value chain analysis and its implications for the organisation.
  • Explain the problems of strategic performance, the use of profit and cash measures.
  • Explain non-financial measures and the interaction with financial measures.
  • Explain multidimensional models of performance including the balanced scorecard.
  • Explain strategic business performance: transfer pricing and reward systems.
  • Explain the consequences of short and long-term planning with reference to research and development, changing technology, outsourcing and capital investment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Define the research and explain the research process.
  • Analyse various research approaches and understand the types of research methods are understood.
  • Identify the research problem in an Accounting discipline.
  • Develop a research design in terms of the type of research that will be conducted.
  • Apply the format of the research report in terms of standard norms and requirements.
  • State the research objectives in the research report.
  • State the methodology used to collect information in the report.
  • State the research findings and recommendations in the report.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Three formative assessments constitute a course mark which contributes 40% of the final examination mark. A summative assessment (examination) is written at the end of the academic year and this contributes 60% of the final examination mark. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    To ensure that skills acquired from this qualification are portable globally, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (CIMA) encourages UoTs to apply for credits. Students will also be granted credits to study towards the professional qualification of CIMA. The Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting (previously Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)) is widely accepted across industries and magnifies graduates job opportunities in an industry of their choice.

    The Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting is comparable with CIMA's Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting which is pegged at the management level. This qualification enables learners to prepare financial statements, provide management accounting information, use relevant tools for decision making through a broad understanding of business, prepare group accounts, make pricing and product decisions on a robust analysis. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates with the following:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • B Compt (Management Accounting), Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, Level 8.
  • Bachelors Honours Degree in Management Accounting, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting, Level 8. 

  • 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.