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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Accounting Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111745  Bachelor of Accounting Science 
ORIGINATOR
Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-09-03  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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 Bachelor of Accounting Science prepares learners to enter a range of professional careers in accounting, which will achieve related purposes:
  • The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with professional knowledge, specific skills and applied competence that will enable continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society in the fields of accounting, auditing, financial management and tax.
  • The second purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with applied competencies. More specifically, the qualification aims to enable learners to analyse, interpret and apply their accounting, auditing, financial management and taxation knowledge in various financial fields.

    A further purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with a base of further specialisation towards a professional career in accounting, auditing and/or related fields. But besides providing learners with sound academic knowledge relating to accounting, auditing, financial management and taxation, the curriculum also includes more generalised modules such as business management, economics, computer skills and business communication that are vital in today's dynamic and competitive business environment.

    Rationale:
    The underlying rationale for this qualification is twofold, i.e.
  • The business and public sectors of South Africa require managers with good financial management skills in general. Also learners with specialised competencies such as accounting, auditing, and taxation in particular; and this qualification effectively meets this need.

    This qualification prepares learners to enter a range of professional careers in accounting finance and accounting skills. These skills are in high demand, as set out in the National Development Plan as well as the National Scarce Skills List, and the Bachelor of Accounting Science attends to these economic needs.

    Typical learners for this qualification need to be competent in Mathematics (NQF Level 4) and have excellent oral and written communication skills in the medium of instruction.

    The Bachelor of Accounting Science focuses on financial accounting, auditing, taxation, management accounting and financeand targets learners who wish to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant (CA).

    Once learners have completed their qualification, they will be required to complete a Certificate in Theory of Accounting (CTA) or a Higher Diploma in Accountancy (HDipAcc). On completion of a CTA or HDipAcc, learners will be eligible to enter a three-year learnership with a registered training office (to specialise in auditing) or an approved training organisation (to specialise in financial management).

    Furthermore, learners could choose a career as Associate General Accountant (AGA). Qualifying as an Associate General Accountant (SA) usually takes 6 years (3-year qualification and three years of internship). Qualifying as an Associate General Accountant (SA) does not require the learner to complete a postgraduate qualification, or board examinations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The design of RPL processes is to grant access to higher education. The evaluation of an application is against the entry requirements of the qualification. Learners seeking access to higher education and do not have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) may be considered for the RPL route. The use of the RPL assessment process is to evaluate the knowledge of learners.

    Assessment Process:
  • Learners without the minimum admission requirements for the qualification but with work experience and other relevant qualifications may be invited to submit a POE to the Admissions Officer.

    Awarding of credits for modules will take place.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate with endorsement.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Accounting, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply key principles and specialised knowledge to operate in a complex and variable business environment for both the public and private sector.
    2. Use range of methods and technology to critically assess complex business problems and propose solutions, and to independently evaluate and address opportunities and control risks.
    3. Apply integrated knowledge to prepare and interrogate accounting and audit reports according to local and international standards.
    4. Behave and communicate objectively, responsibly, professionally and ethically, and act in the public interest. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of micro and macroeconomics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of various management principles and practices and the organisational environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Solve problems in various financial fields using necessary mathematical skills.
  • Understand and perform financial functions in a computerised environment.
  • Explore different quantitative techniques that can assist an accountant with important decision-making.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of costing concepts and their application.
  • Demonstrate sound knowledge of advanced cost and management concepts.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of financial and risk management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Use the current accepted technical language of accounting practices and prepare annual financial statements and reports of groups of companies and public sector entities.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of aspects relating to the field of financial accounting, including the framework for preparing and presenting financial statements, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, impairment of assets, inventory and noncurrent assets.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of advanced aspects relating to the field of financial accounting.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of aspects relating to the field of auditing, including the regulatory environment, responsibilities of the auditor, planning the audit and reporting.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of advanced aspects relating to the field of auditing and be able to perform external audits on trading entities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of taxation, including deceased and insolvent estates.
  • Understand taxation for various business entities in South Africa and deal with problems in the field of taxation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate computer skills.
  • Understand effective communication skills in the workplace and their application for improved work performance.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of business ethics.
  • Understand the implications of commercial law in the business environment, and in particular, the accounting environment.
  • Comply with legal aspects of the accounting profession.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethics and corporate governance as it relates to the accounting profession.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Both formative and summative assessment is used in this qualification as follows:
  • The formative assessments are integrated into the learning materials and consist of both informal activities (such as self-tests and quizzes) and also of formal activities, of which there are three different types: Objective tests (e.g. MCQs, weighted at 20%), Collaborative tasks (e.g. group presentations, weighted at 10%), Cognitive assignments (e.g. traditional individual assignments, weighted at 30%).
  • All types of formative assessment only cover a limited range of Exit Level Outcomes and development feedback is provided to learners. There are MCQs in every section of every module of the learning materials, so all Exit Level Outcomes are ultimately assessed once through this means by the end of each module. All Exit Level Outcomes are assessed again a second time by the end of each module, some in the cognitive assignment and the remainder in the summative examination.

    The summative assessment is usually conducted in the form of an examination, although sometimes alternative means, such as group presentations or portfolios of evidence, may also be used. The summative assessment is weighted at 40% of the final mark for each module, and covers a range of Exit Level Outcomes from each module, thus testing a learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably to similar qualifications found in Commonwealth countries, which also have accounting traditions and professional boards similar to South Africa's South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) and South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). This includes:

    The Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), whose academic requirements include a 3-year qualification with 11 Required Competence Areas, which are Accounting Systems and Processes, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Audit and Assurance, Business Law, Economics, Finance and Financial Management, Management Accounting, Quantitative Methods, Taxation, Information Technology, and Ethics.

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), whose academic requirements include a 3-year qualification with 15 compulsory modules, including majors in accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and business management, supported by minors in taxation, financial management, and law. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commence in Accounting, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting Sciences, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences: Taxation, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Accounting Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Accounting Science, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Applied Accounting Sciences, NQF 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. Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd 


    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.