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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112683  Advanced Diploma in 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  2019-10-30  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 Accounting is to equip learners with intermediate knowledge, proficiency and pervasive skills. Which will enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility and which will allow the development of practical and operational focussed qualities.
The qualification aims to provide learners with the necessary intermediate knowledge, competence and skills to work in an accountancy environment. Understand the world of work, be confident about their value and have a higher than average chance of being employed.

Rationale:
The qualification builds on the skills and knowledge acquired at the Diploma in Accounting Level 6. The qualification will provide advanced accountancy knowledge and skills to ensure competency in performing reporting functions. Rendering taxation services, management advisory services and assurance on a professional accounting level and further integrate the required skills and knowledge into a computerised an accounting, taxation, management and auditing software qualifications.

The qualification is designed with the view to serve the requirements of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the Association of Accounting Technicians (SA), the South African Professional Accountants (SAIPA), the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT), the South African Institute of Internal Auditors (SAIIA), the Association of Certified Chartered Accounts (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The qualification will enable learners to register with the above professional bodies for a professional qualification.
The qualification further seeks to equip learners with management accounting skills and knowledge, thereby satisfying the national demand for public and private sector accounting technicians. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A learner who does not meet the formal admission requirements of the qualification with the modules:
  • Financial accounting,
  • Management accounting and finance,
  • Taxation,
  • Auditing.
    However, if the learner has sufficient formal, non-formal and informal training or has developed requisite skills in the field of accounting, will be allowed to apply for admission.

    The assessment of RPL of a learner for the Advanced Diploma in Accounting will follow the university's rules and procedures for assessment of such RPL.

    A learner shall submit an official application form for RPL accompanied by a portfolio of evidence to determine how they meet the criteria for an RPL admission into the qualification.

    It will be only after successful completion of the required modules at NQF Level 6 that a learner will attain credit via RPL.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Accounting, Level 6.
    Or
  • Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, Level 6. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 128 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 128 Credits:
  • Financial Accounting III, 32 Credits.
  • Taxation III, 32 Credits.
  • Management Accounting and Finance, 32 Credits.
  • Auditing, 32 Credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a solid knowledge base across the core disciplines of accountancy, namely, financial accounting, management accounting, taxation and auditing.
    2. Acquire knowledge of and demonstrate competence in all areas of Financial Accounting.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge and competence in all areas of Cost and Management Accounting.
    4. Acquire an understanding of Information Systems in business.
    5. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature of law and an appreciation of the role of law within which an accountant operates.
    6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Management Accounting Control systems.
    7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of corporate strategy. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understand and demonstrate the accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
  • Apply the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
  • Interpret Cost and Management reports for analysis and control.
  • Identify and critically appreciates appropriate Management Accounting techniques for decision-making, planning and control; and applies these techniques in the generation of Management Accounting reports.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Illustrate competence in the principles, concepts and conventions underlying and Accounting.
  • Demonstrate the enhanced competence and skills required for a successful career in Bookkeeping and Accounting in Commerce, Industry and Practice.
  • Demonstrate competence in fundamental and more advanced financial accounting practices over a range of topic areas.
  • Show proficiency in the analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Understand and demonstrate the Cost and Management Accounting concepts and techniques operating within business organisations, including the internal management of a business within a changing environment.
  • Apply the concepts and techniques in the generation of Cost and Management Accounting reports.
  • Interpret Cost and Management reports for analysis and control.
  • Identifies and critically appreciates appropriate Management Accounting techniques for decision-making, planning and control; and applies these techniques in the generation of Management Accounting reports.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Show an understanding of Information Systems in business and how they assist management decision by helping accountants to achieve organisational objectives and thus improve performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Explain the operation of the Legal System concerning Common Law, Equity and Judicial Precedent, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Statute Law, Case Law and EC Law.
  • Explain the role of courts and other methods of Dispute Resolution as they apply to business.
  • Identifies describes and distinguishes between relevant legislation affecting the Accountant.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Display knowledge and understanding of the application of Management Accounting control and decision-making techniques, which enables him/her to communicate more effectively as an Accountant.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Understand the principal concepts and models used in the Strategic Management process and their contribution to improving business performance.
    Evaluates and applies the concepts and models used in the Strategic Management process to diagnose, analyse and understand organisational problems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All assessments will comply with the assessment policy of the university. Formative assessments are internally moderated whereas summative assessments are externally moderated.

    Formative assessments:
    There will be four (4) formative assessments, in the form of tests, during the one year period of the qualification. There will be no assignments, no projects or practicals.

    The three (3) formative assessments will have equal weighting, namely 33%; 33% and 33%. The forth (4th) formative assessment will be a sick, an aegrotat or a replacement assessment.

    The three (3) best formative assessments will contribute a forty (40%) per cent of the qualification mark.

    Summative assessments:
    The summative assessment shall consist of a one hundred eighty (180) minutes final examination, held at the end of the academic period of learning. The summative assessment shall contribute sixty (60%) per cent of the final assessment mark. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Malaysia: Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR): Advanced Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting):
    This qualification provides a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills necessary for a career in accountancy and finance. It covers the 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 a specialist role in corporate and financial sectors. Qualifying learners can serve as qualified personnel in these areas of accounting, finance and another related field to support and promote the growth of the nation.

    The entry requirement for international learners:
    Learners should have obtained a Diploma in Commerce (Financial Accounting/Management Accounting)/Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting) from TAR College or other equivalent qualifications. Also, 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 the Paper-Based Test (PBT), score of 213 for Computer-Based Test (CBT) and score of 79 to allow 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 statements and corporate governance.

    The syllabus includes:
  • Auditing.
  • Financial Management.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Taxation.
  • Commercial and Company Law.

    United Kingdom: BPP (Brierley, Price and Prior) Institution offers the advanced Diploma: Accounting and Finance. The qualification can facilitate a route into the professional accounting qualification with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants of UK (ACCA). The qualification articulates into the Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Accounting with the BPP Institution.

    This qualification which runs for 18 months, comprises modules from Levels 4 to 6. At Level 6, the professional modules offered of Financial Reporting, Auditing and Assurance, Financial Management and Taxation.

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

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma Financial Management, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma Managerial Accounting and Finance, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in 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. Mangosuthu 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.