SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117918	Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate 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 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2020-11-20	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 Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting 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 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. The qualification provides learners with the skills to synthesise complex management, financial, performance and risk principles to drive and add value to the entities that employ them. Qualifying learners 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.

Qualifying learners 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 areas of resource utilisations, including people, finance, equipment, time, space and information for decision making.

Rationale:
Employers require qualified learners that can demonstrate that they have developed skills as a reflective, independent learner, who can critically analyse complex problems. Learners seek qualifications that prepare them to be lifelong learners, entrepreneurs and contributors to society and the corporate world. This qualification strives for excellence and sustainability in its contribution to the provision of relevant vocational education and training, research, and community engagement, with specialisation in the field of Management Accounting. The qualified learner will have the competence to deliver an effective service in both national and international environments. The qualification is structured so that it allows learners the opportunity to make informed choices with regards to specialising at higher levels.

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. 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.

The qualification aims to provide the business market with energetic, knowledgeable, strong-minded, holistic individuals that are job-ready to enter the market or create employment opportunities in addressing the needs of the labour market.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution's policy for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allow learners access to the qualification. The institution's RPL policy is aligned to the national RPL policy. This policy recognises and learners are granted credits based on previous work experience, short courses and/or other certificates/qualifications obtained. The learner must provide a portfolio of evidence showing that he/she has the requirements of prior learning in the field of Accounting, Management Accounting and Financial Management.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting, NQF Level 7.
Or

An equivalent qualification at NQF Level 7 in Financial Accounting/Financial Management/Auditing/Taxation.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at level 8, 120 Credits:

Advanced Management Accounting A, 12 Credits.

Advanced Financial Reporting, 12 Credits.

Financial Markets, 08 Credits.

Risk and Project Management A, 12 Credits.

Research Methodology, 12 Credits.

Advanced Management Accounting B, 12 Credits.

Risk and Project Management B, 12 Credits.

Advanced Financial Management, 12 Credits.

Corporate Governance, 8 Credits.

Research Project, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate sound knowledge in financial reporting areas such as the classification, recognition, measurement, disclosure, and preparation of full financial statements and issues of principle in accounting standards dealing with more complex areas and developments in external reporting and applying GAAP and IFRS.
2. Manage the financial aspects of the business, identify, systematically examine, critically evaluate and solve problems in managerial accounting and finance, displaying that responsible decisions have been made, using critical and creative thinking.
3. Determine and apply various advanced techniques whereby relevant information is reported to management regarding control, planning, reporting of performance and the monitoring of efficiency in the optimal uses of resources.
4. Develop and implement projects and apply documentation techniques and system development.
5. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the corporate governance found in the South African companies and international companies.
6. Demonstrate a solid knowledge of relevant research skills in the formulation of a research project.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply the principles of the Accounting Framework.

Calculate and interpret ratios 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 the cost of capital and decision making.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Scientifically manage and apply strategic variables.

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 control.

Evaluate the principles of environmental costing and the purpose of forecasts, budgets and plans.

Apply decision making and control techniques to ensure maximum performance.

Apply different management accounting tools.

Analyse and apply managing costs for a competitive advantage.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Implement project and management system.

Prepare and analyse project forecasted financial results and budgets.

Evaluate project proposals and analyse information to assess the impact on decisions of variables with uncertain values.

Monitor the quality of work performed within the areas of management accounting and financial management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Demonstrate and understand the South African corporate governance.

Apply the features of strategic planning and corporate objectives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Apply different researching tools.

Demonstrate and understand various researching tools.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated assessments provide an engaging and creative learning platform that closely links to the realities qualified learners will experience in the workforce: 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 some time with numerous formative and summative components.

There will be both formative and summative assessments that will exist within this qualification. Formative assessments will be conducted by a lecturer in a class by giving learners assessments like but not limited to presentations, class tests, quizzes, case studies, practical assessments, peer assessments, tutorials, mind maps. Summative assessments, on the other hand, will be in a form of assignments, presentations, control tests, exams, and the final project. 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.

Industry Experience will be integrated into the Teaching, Learning and assessment practices of this qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

New Zealand: University of Otago: Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce in Accounting:
This qualification provides a wide 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 the corporate and financial sectors. Qualified 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. 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.

Taxation.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce in Accounting offered by the University of Otago is a 1-year qualification and it holds 120 Credits:
This qualification compares favourably with the Postgraduate 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting is at a level and context similar to that of the given international qualification.

As far as the current research is a concern, there is no university in Africa, outside the Republic of South Africa, that officers Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting. Therefore, African comparability of the proposed qualification was not possible.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Accounting, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Auditing, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management, and NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management Accounting, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Accounting, NQF Level 9.

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.

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