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 Management Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110829  Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting 
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  2019-08-19  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 the Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting is to prepare the learner for further learning in the fields of Management Accounting, Financial Management and Financial Accounting. The qualification will also prepare the learner for the job market by enabling a learner to apply integrated knowledge and advanced conceptual thinking skills to complex problems in Business Environments.

The qualification provides learners who have little or no managerial experience with a wide range of functional management skills in their chosen field of specialisation. Specifically, the qualification aims to enhance learners' managerial skills through a commitment to an on-going managerial development.

The qualification emphasises application, analysis and evaluation within each topic area as well as the application of integrity and ethics in a professional environment. Mastering of the curriculum will provide learners with the skills to synthesize complex management, financial, performance and risk principles to drive and add value to the entities that employ them. The successful learner will gain an overall financial and business perspective which will provide them with a competitive advantage for employment and prepare them for further studies in this field.

The Learner will be able to:
  • Synthesise theories and principles acquired from management accounting and finance.
  • Select and use appropriate methods of identifying, researching and diagnosing management problems and critically assess environmental influences on management activities.
  • Select and use appropriate techniques of problem resolution, including developing, defending and implementing recommendations.
  • Demonstrate analytical skills in the area of resource utilisations, including people, finance, equipment, time, space and information for decision making.

    Rationale:
    High unemployment rates in South Africa is of great concern. Through a dedicated focus on entrepreneurial development, the qualification aims to contribute to the employment needs of South Africa. According to the government gazette national list published in 2018 on occupations in high demand in South Africa, management accountants ranked among the highest. Also, the Department of Employment and Labour has identified management accounting as a scarce skill in South Africa. Hence, there is a need for the offering of the qualification. Taking this into cognisance, the new qualification aims at equipping learners with the necessary skills and knowledge base to create employment as well as specialise in a field of choice.

    Career opportunities exist in the Cost and Management Accounting and related fields. The management accounting qualifications links to specific careers and learning pathways in the management accounting and related fields. Completing the qualification together with relevant work experience, will enable learners to be employed in the private/public sector as Junior Costing clerks, Costing clerks, Bookkeepers, Junior Budget Officers or Assistant Finance Officers. Also learners can find employment in the private/public sector as Senior Cost Clerk, Junior Accountants/Accountants, Assistant Financial Management, Budget Officers or Finance Officers.

    In the light of the above, this Advanced Diploma curriculum has been specifically designed to enrich learners with the knowledge in the fields of accounting with a specialisation in Management Accounting. There is a focus on the soft skills therefore learners will have a competitive advantage over other qualifications in other institutions.

    The design of this qualification promotes further intellectual enrichment and critical thinking amongst the learners. There is also embedded writing and research skills that exists within all the modules. This qualification provides access to learners that completed the Diploma in Management Accounting. Once this qualification is completed learners can pursue further learning in Management Accounting by enrolling for the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The qualification will be aligned with the institution's policy for RPL allowing learners' access to Higher Education. The institution's policy is aligned to the national RPL policy. This policy recognises and grant credits to learners based on previous work experience, short courses and/or other certificates/qualifications obtained. The learner has to provide a portfolio of evidence showing that he/she has the necessary requirements of prior learning in the field of Accounting, Management Accounting and Financial Management. This portfolio of evidence does not guarantee automatic admission but is assessed by an independent assessor on an individual basis.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Management Accounting or an appropriate Diploma or Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 6, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Management accounting 4a, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Management 4a, 12 Credits.
  • Systems and project Management 4a, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Reporting 4a, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Planning, 12 Credits.
  • Management accounting 4b, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Management 4b, 12 Credits.
  • Systems and Project Management 4b, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Reporting 4b, 12 Credits.
  • Risk Management, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Prepare, analyse and interpret complex financial statements for companies applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
    2. Manage the financial aspects of business up to the strategic level.
    3. Determine and apply various advanced techniques whereby relevant information is reported to management in regard to control, planning, reporting of performance and the monitoring of efficiency in the optimal uses of resources.
    4. Develop and apply documentation techniques and system development.
    5. Strategically approach the acquisition, motivation, development and management of the organisations resources.
    6. Apply different management accounting tools and techniques to generate information needed to evaluate and control present and projected performance. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply the principles of the Accounting Framework.
  • Calculate and interpret ratios in order to assess the profitability, liquidity, capital structure and assurance of income on a comprehensive basis, selecting the relevant tools of analysis.
  • Apply and interpret management tools and techniques that will assist in the calculation of cost of capital and decision making.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Manage and apply strategic variables scientifically.
  • Apply financial operations, managerial principles of problem-solving, decision making and forecasting within an organisation.
  • Calculate and interpret an organisation's performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply and understand the manpower planning process in a pragmatic manner.
  • Evaluate the use of responsibility centres in determining an organisational structure and management of control.
  • Monitor the quality of work performed within the areas of Management Accounting and Financial Management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Implement the operation and management system.
  • Preparation and analysis of forecasted financial results and budgets.
  • Project proposals are evaluated and the information to assess the impact on decisions of variables with uncertain values is analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Interpret the role of Material requirements planning and enterprise resource planning.
  • The principles of environmental costing and the purpose of forecasts, budgets and plans is evaluated.
  • Apply the features of strategic planning and corporate objectives.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Apply decision making and control techniques to ensure maximum performance.
  • Apply management accounting tools.
  • Analyse and apply managing costs for a competitive advantage.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessments provide an engaging and creative learning platform that closely links to the realities graduates will experience in the work force: a process that combines and blends the learning outcomes from multiple topics into a series of streamlined, realistic, employment focused activities. These assessments are conducted over a period of time with numerous formative and summative components.

    There will be both formative and summative assessments that will exist within this qualification. The course mark will have an integrated assessment that will build entrepreneurial capacity by encouraging the learners to engage with micro businesses. These projects will be of a Management Accounting and Financial Management Nature.

    Because there is no Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component within the qualification, however, the Industry Experience will be integrated into the Teaching, Learning and assessment practices of this qualification.

    The aim of the qualification is to make the learning real, to bring life to it, and to allow the learners not just to know the content of the course or recite the list of skills needed in the field but to experience the feelings, frustrations, successes, and processes that occur when knowledge and skills are merged into the most realistic processes possible. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been structured and aligned with the syllabus of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). This professional body resides in the United Kingdom.
    Malaysia: Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR), Advanced Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting).

    Malaysia: Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR), Advanced Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting).

    This qualification provides a wide spectrum of knowledge and skills necessary for a career in accountancy and finance. It covers advanced level of accounting, audit, strategic financial management, tax planning, strategic management, management information systems and other related areas. It can lead to a career in professional accounting practices or in a specialist role in corporate and financial sectors. Qualifying learners can serve as qualified personnel in these areas of accounting, finance and other related field to support and promote the nations growth.

    Entry requirement for international learners:
  • Learners should have obtained Diploma in Commerce (Financial Accounting/Management Accounting)/Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting) from TAR College or other equivalent qualifications. In addition, they should have obtained International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of Band 6.0, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 for paper-based test (PBT), score of 213 for computer-based test (CBT) and score of 79 for internet-based test (IBT). Learners should have obtained Grade C in Cambridge O Levels (English language 1119).

    New Zealand: New South Wales, TAFE Advanced Diploma of Accounting:
    This qualification aims to broaden accounting knowledge and enhance career prospects. Both manual and computerised accounting processes are studied, as well as how to create summaries of financial transactions of a business, produce and analyse financial reports, prepare tax returns and develop business plans, process complex tax returns and lodgements, corporate financial reports and corporate governance.

    The syllabus includes:
  • Auditing.
  • Financial Management.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Financial Reporting.
  • Strategic Planning.

    The above-mentioned qualifications compare favourably with the Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting in terms of the course content, viz., Financial Management, Management Accounting and Financial Reporting. The entry requirements are similar. Thus, the Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting is at a level and context similar to that of the given international qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Accounting, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • 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.
     
    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.