SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119818	Postgraduate Diploma in 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 0333/25	2025-07-10	2028-07-10
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10		2032-07-10

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is to prepare learners for expert-level knowledge in the Applied Financial Accounting discipline. The qualification will further strengthen and deepen the learner's knowledge and professional practice in accounting and other related services by providing higher-level subject matter and the related application of standards, building on the knowledge and skills developed at Advanced Diploma and undergraduate level. The qualification enhances flexibility as a response to an ever-changing and evolving accounting industry, thus providing learners with the agility and ability to transform their professional career choices and paths within the accounting environment. The integration of all these specific competencies is done to facilitate the development of a holistic professional who can function efficiently and effectively in the corporate sector.

The qualification will also prepare the learners for the job market by enabling them to apply integrated, specialised knowledge and applied conceptual thinking skills to complex problems in the corporate environment.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will gain an overall financial and business perspective which will provide them with a competitive advantage for employment and prepare them for expert and specialised level knowledge in this field. The qualification emphasises knowledge, application, and investigation, as well as the application of integrity and ethical principles in a professional environment.

Rationale:
There is a concern regarding the high unemployment rates in South Africa despite the focus on employment creation and sustainability. The qualification provides new study opportunities to qualifying employees from both the private and public sectors seeking to improve their qualifications to enhance their careers, change their career paths or pursue a career in academia. The aim of the qualification is to proactively contribute to the employment needs of South Africa. The qualification will allow qualifying learners the opportunity to obtain knowledge and professional competencies beyond that of the undergraduate qualification that will further support specialised employment opportunities in the accounting job market.

The qualification has the following objectives:

Capacitate the learners with workplace readiness competencies, and further their knowledge and skills in Accounting and Finance through theory, practice, investigation, and careful observation.

Prepare learners who plan to qualify as professional accountants so they can meet the requirements as determined by the accounting profession.

Consultation was done with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) to ensure that most International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board were included in the advanced Financial Accounting syllabi, thereby offering a qualification that would meet industry and other stakeholder needs. SAIPA has confirmed that the institution may apply for professional affiliation for learners.

The qualification will provide South Africa with skilled human capital in the accounting discipline. The South African economy requires Accounting and Finance professionals who can manage their organization's profitability and sustainability. This discipline is vitally important for an organization to gain and maintain a competitive advantage in its cost structure. The learners will be provided with a rigorous grounding for a career in commerce by equipping them with postgraduate level knowledge, specific skills and applied professional competencies in accounting and other related fields.

This qualification meets the needs of industry and business by providing learners with a broad understanding of accounting and related fields. Employers require qualified learners that can demonstrate that they have developed skills as reflective, independent learners, who are able to critically analyse complex problems. The needs of industry sectors are further met in that learners will also master a range of specialised competencies in the field of applied accounting which constitutes auditing, taxation, financial management, management accounting and a research project.
The qualification will contribute to the development of the country and the economy by developing learners who can apply critical and analytical thinking and innovation in business and industry.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access:

Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit:

Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

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

Bachelor of Accountancy, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Accounting, NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Diploma in Accounting, NQF Level 7.
Or

A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 08 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:

Applied Financial Accounting A, 16 Credits.

Applied Taxation A, 16 Credits.

Applied Auditing, 16 Credits.

Applied Management Accounting, 12 Credits.

Applied Financial Accounting B, 16 Credits.

Applied Taxation B, 16 Credits.

Applied Financial Management 12 Credits.

Research Project, 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply advanced knowledge in the core principles of applied financial accounting, as well as integration with effective strategies which are relevant to the financial accounting discipline.
2. Demonstrate an expert level of knowledge of disclosure in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) presentation for decision-making.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the management of applied financial aspects of diverse business environments with engagement in advanced theories, frameworks and practices pertaining to the fields of financial accounting.
4. Demonstrate understanding of how ethical principles are applied to policies and practices of the financial accounting discipline, and the need to act professionally and ethically for clients, employees, and the corporate environment.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking which will enable the compilation of a research project relevant to the accounting discipline.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply and interpret financial statements which assist both financial and non-financial users in a manner which ensures compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Calculate and interpret the role of financial reporting in enhancing business communication and decision-making.

Apply, plan, perform and evaluate the sections of the South African Companies Act and other statutory documents relevant to professional accountants.

Evaluate key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories within Financial Accounting and other sub-major module contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Discuss, critically evaluate, and systematically solve complex problems in financial accounting and other related services, displaying appropriate decision-making skills using critical and creative thinking.

Calculate and interpret the organisation's performance.

Apply financial operations, managerial principles of problem-solving, decision making and forecasting within an organisation.

Appy an understanding of accounting concepts and techniques to solve complex problems in a critical and creative way.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply decision-making and control techniques to ensure maximum performance.

Apply different management accounting tools.

Apply knowledge literacy, key concepts, rules and theories in the sub-major modules and other accounting-related areas and show how the knowledge relates to other fields.

Apply an understanding of the South African Income Tax Act and other statutes that are relevant to the application of the understanding of the business environment of the individual and corporate taxpayer locally and globally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Apply integrated proficiencies in numeracy, technology, and communication relevant to sub-major modules in various cases and applications.

Discuss and understand corporate governance in South Africa.

Implement audit, assurance, and related services engagement in accordance with the requirements of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Boards.

Apply learnt skills of organizational behaviour in managing businesses in a local and global environment.

Analyse scientifically and manage challenges that may be encountered by the professional accountant.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Apply and develop different accounting research tools.

Implement and apply theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques to solve problems in the field of accounting.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
There will be both formative and summative assessments that will exist within the qualification.
Formative assessments will be conducted by lecturers in the class by giving learners assessments like but not limited to presentations, class tests and assignments, quizzes, case studies, self-assessment tasks, calculations, essays, practical assessments, peer assessments, tutorials, and concept maps.

Summative assessments will be in a form of assignments, presentations, controlled assessments, exams, and a final project. These assessments will test the learners' level of competence and ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to ensure that all Exit Level Outcomes are achieved.

Summative assessment can provide information that has formative/diagnostic value. The qualification mark will have an integrated assessment that will build entrepreneurial capacity by encouraging the learner to engage with micro businesses. These projects will be of a financial accounting nature.
Industry experience will be integrated into the teaching, learning and assessment practices of this qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Country: New Zealand
Institution: New Zealand University of Otago
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce in Accounting
Credits: 120 Credits.
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree or Diploma.
Duration: One year
Purpose:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce in Accounting provides a means for non-accounting majors to undertake formal study in accounting. It also allows learners who do not have the prerequisites for postgraduate study in accounting to gain a qualification while obtaining the prerequisites. The qualification is paper base which can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over more than one year. It is a very flexible qualification and can be structured to meet a learner's requirements. To enrol for the qualification a learner is expected to have a degree or diploma or provide satisfactory evidence of appropriate training and experience.

The qualification aims to do the following:

Achieve professional accreditation particularly popular with accounting learners who often choose to add the qualification to their BCom.

Broaden the scope and update existing qualifications.

Improve job opportunities.

Effectively provide a second major.

Provide a bridge to postgraduate study.

Take advantage of extra papers taken during degree studies.

Similarities:

Both qualifications are offered in one year, with 120 Credits.

Both qualifications have the same entry requirements.

Differences

The New Zealand University of Otago qualification is a bridging qualification aimed at learners who wish to meet the requirements for professional registration.

Country: Hong Kong.
Institution: University of Hong Kong.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting.
Admission Requirements: Honours Bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma.
Articulation: MSc in Professional Accountancy.
Duration: 1 to 5 years part-time.
The qualification is designed to prepare learners to become professional accountants by satisfying the educational requirements for admission to the Qualification of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA).

Modules:
Core Modules

Financial Reporting.

Cost and Management Accounting.

Financial Management.

Business and Company Law.

Auditing and Professional Practice.

Taxation and Tax Planning.

Business Knowledge Supporting Modules

Basic Accounting.

Statistics.

Economics.

Management Information Systems.

Principles of Marketing.

Business Organisation and Organisational Behaviour.

Similarities

Both qualifications vertically articulate to the same qualification.

Both qualifications have the following similar modules:

Cost and Management Accounting.

Financial Management.

Auditing and Professional Practice.

Differences:

The Hong Kong qualification is offered part-time for 1 to 5 years while the South African is a one-year full-time qualification.

The Hong Kong qualification has an entry requirement of an Honours qualification while the South African qualification has an entry requirement of a bachelor's qualification.

The Hong Kong qualification is a qualification targeted at learners without an accounting qualification while the South African qualification is a qualification for accounting learners.

The qualification also includes non-accounting modules.

Statistics.

Economics.

Management Information Systems.

Principles of Marketing.

Business Organisation & Organisational Behaviour.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Science, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Accounting Honours, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

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

Vertical Articulation

Master of Commerce in Accounting, NQF Level 9.

Master of Accounting, NQF Level 9.

Master of Accounting Science, 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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