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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112903  Advanced Diploma in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Milpark Education (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
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  2019-11-22  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 modern world of business needs people with knowledge and understanding of accounting and its related disciplines who contribute to the economy.
The primary purposes of the Advanced Diploma in Accounting are:
  • To strengthen and deepen learners' knowledge, skills and values in more advanced aspects of the field of Accounting and its related sub-disciplines to improve career opportunities.
  • To prepare learners for the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (and after that for the professional stage papers of South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
  • To prepare learners for further business- and accounting-related studies.

    The qualification is designed to foster theoretical engagement, application to real-world scenarios and intellectual independence. The qualification aims to:
  • Strengthen and deepen learners' knowledge and
  • Equips learners to qualify as well-rounded, responsible and ethical accountants with advanced and specialist knowledge, relevant competencies and lifelong learning skills in the areas of Financial Accounting and Reporting, Corporate Governance, Auditing, Financial Management, Management Accounting and Taxation.
    Learners will demonstrate these competencies in the context of the challenges inherent in a changing business environment.

    Rationale:
    The qualification addresses a critical need in South Africa for accountant equipped to deal with the challenges facing business. The qualification prepares accountants who are knowledgeable, confident in their ability to learn and who are not afraid of change.
    There is a need for this qualification as the current demand for competent accountants, and Chartered Accountants exceeds the supply in the country.
    The qualification designed to:
  • Enhance the employability and entrepreneurial ability of learners who have completed specific accounting undergraduate studies,
  • Strengthen and deepens learners' knowledge of accounting disciplines.
  • Prepare learners for a career in accounting and eventually Chartered Accountancy.
    The qualification aligns with the competency framework and curriculum requirements of the SAICA. This qualification prepares learners for selection onto a SAICA-accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting's from which learners can progress to SAICA's first qualifying examination (ITC) in partial completion of qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.

    The qualification aims to:
  • Equip learners with sound subject knowledge, sound theoretical underpinnings to practice, Capacity to integrate theory and practice, and appropriate values and skills to deal with diversity in business.
  • Ensure programme coherence and appropriate content and cognitive demand.

    The qualification articulates into a SAICA-accredited Post Graduate Diploma (Accounting). The qualification targets learners wishing to enter the workplace as accountants. Also learners who intend studying further and pursue SAICA's Chartered Accounting designation (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
    After completing the qualification, there are also possibilities for learners to register with SAIPA and other professional accounting bodies. The qualification offers a path into the Postgraduate Diploma (Accounting) for learners who hold a Bachelor of Commerce, but do not meet the Postgraduate Diploma (Accounting) admission and selection requirements. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification via RPL:
    Applicants without prior qualifications must demonstrate evidence of experience in an accounting role and must be able to demonstrate that their expertise aligns to applying accounting requirements in line with SAICA's competency framework at this NQF level. Learners can show the level of competency through work experience, informal and non-formal prior learning. Learners will have to provide a portfolio of evidence for formal assessment and submit themselves for an interview. In cases where the evidence is not sufficient, learners must pass an admission test.

    Credit accumulation and transfer:
    Learners who meet the admission requirements qualify for credits on some modules in the programme provided that they can provide evidence of competence in accounting in the specific module(s) at the level of the programme. Prior experience and achievement will be evaluated and mapped against the module outcomes of the particular module(s).

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Financial Reporting, 30 Credits.
  • Taxation, 30 Credits.
  • Management Accounting and Finance, 30 Credits.
  • Corporate Governance & Auditing, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of core accounting disciplines through critical thought and analysis.
    2. Apply Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (primarily International Financial Reporting Standards in preparing and analysing individual and group financial statements.
    3. Provide context-specific advice using management accounting and finance theory to aid business' financial and strategic decisions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Give an integrated business scenario that includes economic events, transactions and balances, using appropriate principles and legislation; the learners develop cogent solutions and holistic analysis.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Given an integrated business scenario that includes financial reporting-related economic events, transactions and balances, using appropriate principles and standards, the learner:
  • Accurately prepares individual and group financial statements that comply with IFRS.
  • Analyse individual, and group financial statements for compliance with IFRS Validly interpret individual and group financial statements critically.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Given an integrated business scenario that includes management accounting and financial management-related economic events, transactions and balances, using appropriate principles, the learner:
  • Prepares budgets and valuations that are accurate, reliable and accord with the needs of the business.
  • Provide analysis of budget and valuation.
  • Advise on the issue of identification and decision making.
  • Evaluates financial trade-offs and recommends appropriate courses of action critically.
  • Prepares appropriate analyses that aid performance evaluation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment includes group assignments.
    Summative Assessment includes written tests, invigilated during the year and examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Holmesglen Australia - Advanced Diploma of Accounting.
    This course covers advanced financial procedures and principles to succeed as an accountant. With three core units and 11 electives, learners gain invaluable expertise in:
  • Monitoring corporate governance activities, applying economic principles, interpreting and using financial statistics and tools and more.

    Modules:
  • Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry.
  • Interpret and use financial statistics and tools.
  • Monitor corporate governance activities.
  • Apply legal principles in consumer and contract law.
  • Apply legal principles in corporations and trusts law.
  • Implement and maintain internal control procedures.
  • Manage budgets and forecasts.
  • Prepare and administer tax documentation for legal entities.
  • Prepare and analyse management accounting information.
  • Prepare complex corporate financial reports.
  • Prepare financial reports for corporate entities.
  • Prepare tax documentation for individuals.
  • Provide leadership across the organisation.
  • Provide management accounting information.

    The University of Namibia, Advanced Diploma in Accounting.
    This qualification aims at learners who want to pursue their career in accounting, auditing and related fields. Also, learners already in employment having job responsibilities including accounting, auditing or other related areas.
    The qualification includes the following modules:
  • Public Sector and Government Accounting Standards.
  • Auditing.
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Public Sector Financial Management.

    RMIT University, Advanced Diploma of Accounting.
    This qualification deepens learner' knowledge of taxation, corporate law, and financial reporting.
    The qualification includes the following compulsory modules:
  • Monitor corporate governance activities.
  • Apply economic principles to work in the financial services industry.
  • Interpret and use financial statistics and tools.

    The programme includes the following elective modules:
  • Prepare and administer tax documentation for legal entities.
  • Audit and report on financial systems and records.
  • Implement tax plans and evaluate tax obligations.
  • Evaluate the organisation's financial performance.
  • Implement an insolvency program.
  • Prepare and analyse management accounting information.
  • Prepare complex corporate financial reports.
  • Develop and manage financial systems.
  • Apply legal principles in contract and consumer law.
  • Apply legal principles in corporations and trust law.
  • Apply legal principles in property law.
  • Provide financial and business performance information.
  • Prepare tax documentation for individuals.
  • Implement and maintain internal control procedures.
  • Provide management accounting information.
  • Develop and use complex spreadsheets.
  • Manage budgets and forecasts.

    This qualification contains more modules than the South African's qualification. The above qualification consists of modules with less notional hours, and the overall content coverage is comparable.

    Conclusion:
    While the abovementioned qualifications are not the same as the institution advance diploma, they compare favourably with it in terms of its course content, i.e., Financial Reporting, Financial Management, Management Accounting, Taxation, Corporate Governance, Auditing, Business Strategy and Analysis. The entry requirements are also similar. Thus, the qualification at a level and context similar to that of the given international qualifications. It is also very similar to accounting bridging programmes offered throughout South Africa at almost all SAICA-accredited institutions. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of commerce in Accounting, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Level 8.
  • Bachelor Commerce 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. Milpark Education (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.