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: 

Advanced Diploma in Internal Audit 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109764  Advanced Diploma in Internal Audit 
ORIGINATOR
Durban 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  2019-07-25  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:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with intellectual enrichment through the strengthening and deepening of their understanding of current thinking, theory as well as national and international trends in the field of Internal Audit. The qualification seeks to develop the necessary industry knowledge, technical skills and proficiencies required for the learner to work in either a local or global internal audit environment. Successful attainment of this qualification will broaden the scope of the learner's function in the Internal Audit context or in a related area of specialisation.

The qualification also provides a holistic, integrated approach to the learner's broad range of competencies. It achieves this by incorporating Accounting and Financial Management content into the curriculum. Information Technology has been included to address emerging trends in this field and its resultant impact on the new generation of internal auditors. In this manner, the qualification further prepares a learner to act as an independent self-starter in the corporate environment or provide his/her services in a private consultant capacity.

Rationale:
The scarce skills guideline, issued by the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) for 2015/16, regards the occupation Internal Auditor as a scarce skill. An Internal Audit manager is regarded as being one of the top managerial occupations which is scarcely resourced.

The qualification has been designed to address such skills shortages by providing a qualification that is both relevant and practical. Qualifying learners could be employed in the private and public sector as employees of various Internal Audit related departments.

Qualifying learners should be able to provide much needed skills to financial sectors such as, but not limited to:
  • Advisory services within the sphere of Internal Audit.
  • Independent consultants in Internal Audit.
  • Internal audit clerks. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. The Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing may be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The appropriate credits would be assigned provided that the prospective candidate is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing. RPL provides for admission or admission with credit is applicable where appropriate.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirements are:
  • A 360 Credits Diploma in Internal Auditing, Level 6.
    Or,
  • A 360 Credits National Diploma in Internal Auditing, Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Financial Reporting 4A, 12 Credits.
  • Managerial Accounting and Finance 4A, 12 Credits.
  • Internal Audit 4A, 12 Credits.
  • Internal Audit 4B, 12 Credits.
  • Internal Audit 4C, 12 Credits.
  • Information Systems Audit, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Computer Audit 4A, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Computer Audit 4B, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Reporting 4B, 12 Credits.
  • Managerial Accounting and Finance 4B, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary based knowledge to take an informed stand with regard to the impact of accounting, business and trade policies on the internal audit engagement.
    2. Apply corporate governance practices, laws and regulations that are pertinent to an Internal Auditor and related to accounting, business, commerce and management in diverse business environments.
    3. Engage with advanced theories and practices pertaining to the fields of internal audit, financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.
    4. Design a risk based approach for internal audit procedures to address significant risks within a business.
    5. Evaluate the consequences of accounting, economic policy, business decisions and information technology on the corporate governance function in a language which is accessible to the general public and various stakeholders in the business community.
    6. Manage and coordinate the applied accounting sciences activity relating to the internal audit function, both in terms of assurance and consulting engagements, in diverse business environments. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply accounting, business and trade policies are analysed and principles.
  • Apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary based knowledge to contextualised situations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply corporate governance principles fully in all business environments to ensure the ethical conduct of the internal audit.
  • Identify and report on non-compliance with laws and regulations in accordance with the internal audit functions operating guidelines.
  • Design and develop policies and procedures by the internal audit function to ensure all exceptions and areas or non-compliance are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply internal audit theory, principles, practices and guidelines in diverse environments by the Internal Auditor.
  • Contextualise associated discipline specific knowledge in terms of its impact on the conduct of the internal audit function.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Analyse fraud and error and its impact on the business.
  • Design appropriate internal audit procedures to identify these risks.
  • Identify and quantify laws, regulations, governance practices, and business risks
  • Design internal control procedures to address risks identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify and analyse emerging trends in information technology and business in terms of audit risk and the impact to a business and its stakeholders quantified.
  • Design internal control procedures to address the risk identified and, where warranted, to reduce the impact of fraud and error.
  • Report audit risks, fraud and other risks in accordance with audit guidelines and standards.
  • Report audit risks, fraud and other risks at the appropriate level based on internal audit guidelines and practices.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Plan and conduct audit engagements in accordance with internal audit regulations and principles.
  • Adopt risk based Audit approaches by the internal audit function.
  • Compile assurance and consulting engagements standards with in all aspects relating to the engagement, conduct and reporting of the Internal audit activity.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessments will be used to combine the assessment of a variety of different skills at the same time; assessing a number of outcomes together; assessing a number of assessment criteria together; using a combination of assessment methods and instruments.

    Formative Assessments will be used to support the learner developmentally and to feed back into the teaching and learning process. This links the relationship between assessment, learning and teaching and ensures that assessment informs and strengthens both the teaching and learning process. Integrated Assessments will be used to combine the assessment of a variety of different skills at the same time; assessing a number of outcomes together; assessing a number of assessment criteria together; using a combination of assessment methods and instruments. Summative Assessments will be used to make a judgement about achievement and to provide "snapshot" information about a learner's level of competence at a given time. This includes assessment marks that contribute to the final mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Most international education institutions offer the Advanced Diploma program as a single entity or a component of other qualification such as a Bachelor's Degree, Bachelor Honours Degree or Coursework Master's Degree. Such qualifications offer specialised knowledge in a specific subject to prepare learners for careers in their desired fields. Qualifications outlined below were evaluated and best practices adopted and contextualised for the South African context. Below is an example of some of the comparisons that were undertaken:

    Country: United States of America.
    Institution: University of Houston.
    Qualification: Internal Audit Certificate - Degree plan.

    This University offers the Internal Audit Certificate - Degree plan, which includes modules in Financial Reporting Frameworks; Management Accounting; Internal Audit Colloquium; Internal Audit and the Entity Control Environment; Enterprise Risk Management; Accounting Information Systems; Control and Security of Internal Financial Information; Financial reporting Frameworks and Management Accounting, which are similar to the modules in the Advanced Diploma in internal Audit Studies), namely: Financial Reporting 4A; Managerial Accounting and Finance 4A; Internal Audit 4A; Internal Audit 4B; Internal Audit 4C; Information Systems Audit; Advanced Computer Audit 4A; Advanced Computer Audit 4B; Financial Reporting 4B and Managerial Accounting and Finance 4B.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution: Academies Australasia.
    Qualification: Advanced Diploma of Accounting.

    This University offers the Advanced Diploma of Accounting which includes modules: Prepare financial reports; Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry; Monitor corporate governance activities; Implement and maintain internal control procedures; Conduct internal audit; Evaluate organisation's financial performance; Evaluate financial risk; Audit and report on financial systems and records; Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry and Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry which are similar to the modules in the Diploma in internal Audit Studies), namely: Financial Reporting 4A; Managerial Accounting and Finance 4A; Internal Audit 4A; Internal Audit 4B; Internal Audit 4C; Information Systems Audit; Advanced Computer Audit 4A; Advanced Computer Audit 4B; Financial Reporting 4B and Managerial Accounting and Finance 4B.

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution: University of Birmingham.
    Qualification: Internal Audit Management and Consultancy - Master's Degree (MSc) - Postgraduate P(G) Certificate.

    This University offers the Internal Audit Management and Consultancy - MSc - PG Certificate which includes modules: Providing assurance risk based auditing; Organisation Environment Risks and Controls and Internal industry which are similar to the modules in the Advanced Diploma in internal Audit Studies) namely: Audit 4A; Internal Audit 4B and Internal Audit 4C.

    Country: Kenya.
    Institution: KCA University.
    Qualification: Master of Science in Commence.

    This University offers the Master of Science in Commence which includes modules: International Financial Reporting; Advanced Managerial Accounting; Advanced Auditing and Investigation; Advanced Auditing and Investigation; Internal Auditor Professional Practices which are similar to the modules in the Advanced Diploma in internal Audit Studies, namely: Financial Reporting 4A; Managerial Accounting and Finance 4A; Internal Audit 4A; Internal Audit 4B; Internal Audit 4C and Internal Audit 4C. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Accounting, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Accountancy, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Auditing, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Internal Auditing, 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.
     
    1. Durban 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.