SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
119983  Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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 Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is designed for learners who plan a career as chartered accountants.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Apply sound accounting theory and practice relevant to the accounting function in business.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate skills in a rational and logical manner.
  • Practice the ethics pertinent to Accounting, Business, Commerce and Management and those pertinent to an Accountant and Independent Auditor.
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theories and practices pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation specifically and in the related fields of business, commerce, and management studies.
  • Demonstrate the ability to solve problems, specifically pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, but also in the related fields of business, commerce, and management studies.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in managing the applied accounting sciences' activity and the ability to conduct applied accounting engagements, both assurance and consulting, in diverse business environments.

    Rationale:
    As of March 2020, South Africa has 46 382 registered Chartered Accountants (CAs). Of this number, 6514 (approximately 14%) are African. Considering that this qualification is to be offered by a university in a rural area, where the majority of learners are Africans, the institution has an opportunity to contribute to the redress of the above challenge to mirror the demographics of South Africa. Moreover, the Department of Higher Education and Training lists Accountancy among the top 100 Scarce Skills in South Africa, which again confirms the need for this qualification.

    The qualification will prepare learners for the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Test of Competency (ITC) and Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) examinations and prepare learners to sit the professional stage examinations of International professional bodies such as Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA).
    The qualification will be informed by both "SAICA's CA2025 Competency Framework" (CF) and Problem-Based-Learning (PBL) methodology. SAICA's CF prescribes pervasive and discipline-specific skills. PBL is an instructional method that drives all learning via solving an authentic problem. It is problem-focused, student-centred, self-directed, self-reflective, and facilitative. 
    		•

    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 with regard 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:
  • Advanced Diploma in Accounting, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Financial Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Business and Commerce, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Accounting, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Advanced Financial Reporting, 30 Credits.
  • Advanced Managerial and Financial Management, 30 Credits.
  • Advanced Auditing and Control, 30 Credits.
  • Advanced Taxation, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply sound accounting theory and practice relevant to the accounting function in business.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate skills in a rational and logical manner.
    3. Practice the ethics pertinent to Accounting, Business, Commerce and Management and those pertinent to an Accountant and Independent Auditor.
    4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theories and practices pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation specifically and in the related fields of business, commerce, and management studies.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems, specifically pertaining to the field of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, but also in the related fields of business, commerce, and management studies.
    6. Demonstrate proficiency in managing the applied accounting sciences' activity and the ability to conduct applied accounting engagements, both assurance and consulting, in diverse business environments 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Use disciplinary- and interdisciplinary-based information to take an informed stand in regard to accounting, business, and trade policies.
  • Assume a personal role in the accounting and business environments.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Write business reports in an acceptable format.
  • Use language effectively to convey ideas and insights intelligibly.
  • Evaluate, interpret, and generate information from a variety of sources.
  • Explain the ramifications of accounting and economic policy and business decisions in a language which is accessible to the general public and various stakeholders in the business community.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of the ethics implied by corporate governance principles.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of the ethics prescribed by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
  • Illustrate an understanding of the need to act professionally and ethically to clients, employees, and the world at large.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Analyse, evaluate and apply advanced business, commerce and management theories and principles to practical situations.
  • Contribute to the improvement and development in a limited manner of principles and procedures in practical situations.
  • Customise and adapt international business, commerce and management practices and theories to South African requirements.
  • Recognise problems in the Accounting, Auditing and Taxation fields and related disciplines.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Develop appropriate solutions in the applied accounting sciences' context.
  • Formulate appropriate responses to resolve both concrete and abstract problems that accountants and auditors are normally confronted with.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Analyse the nature and theory of specific audit engagements and the applied accounting process.
  • Apply advanced judgemental processes to identify and plan applied accounting assignments for the applied accounting activity.
  • Apply information technology skills, risk-based auditing, control frameworks and control systems to adequately perform audit assignments and advise management and audit committees on appropriate practice.
  • Analyse and evaluate operations within organisations.
  • Identify test control and advise on control systems.
  • Report findings and follow up on the implementation of applied accounting activities.
  • Establish and manage activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, and taxation.
  • Monitor the quality of work performed within the activities in the areas of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, and taxation.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods. Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, learner-centred learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance learner engagement. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable, and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

    Formative Assessment
    Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study.
    Toward this goal, a learner is assessed on practical and qualitative capability, such as in critical reading and thinking, assessment and finding a solution to complex financial problems suitable at the level of the candidate's study. Learning and assessment should be integrated. Continual formative assessment will be required so that learners are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes.

    Summative assessment
    Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement will include 'integrated assessment(s)' which test the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes as a whole. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: New Zealand
    Institution: Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
    NQF Level: New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) Level 8
    Credits: 120
    Duration: One-year qualification.
    Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree (in any discipline)
    Purpose:
    All graduates from this postgraduate diploma are encouraged to continue into the Master of Professional Accounting. The qualification is available as an exit qualification if required.
    Qualifying learners will apply advanced capability to consider relevant social, ethical and sustainability dimensions of decisions in accounting contexts
    A graduate of both the AUT and SA qualifications will be able to:
  • Identify and frame accounting issues and generate appropriate solutions.
  • Use effective communication skills and the ability to produce high-quality business documents and business presentations.

    Qualification structure:
    To complete the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting offered by AUT, learners must achieve 120 points from the Master of Professional Accounting.

    The qualification offered by AUT comprises the following modules:
  • Financial Accounting, 15 Credits ( similar to the Exit Level Outcomes for the SA qualification)
  • Management Accounting for Business, 15 Credits.
  • Accounting Information System, 15 Credits.
  • Economics for Business, 15 Credits.
  • Managing organisation and people, 15 Credits.
  • Economics for Business,15 Credits.
  • Business Law, 15 Credits.
  • Finance for Accountants,15 Credits.

    Similarities:
  • Both the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and the South African (SA) qualification take one-year full-time study. The AUT and the SA qualifications are both registered at NQF Level 8 with 120 Credits.
  • Both AUT and SA qualifications require learners to have completed a bachelor's degree.
  • Both AUT and SA qualifications allow learners to progress into Master's degree studies in the related field.

    Differences:
    High-achieving AUT postgraduate diploma learners with at least an A- grade average over the 120 points in level 8 qualify to apply to the Doctor of Philosophy by completing the Master of Business with a B+ grade average or higher. Learners will receive 60 points of credit towards the Master of Business and will need to complete another 120 points.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Monash University (MU)
    Qualification title: Graduate Diploma in Accounting (Accounting Bachelor degree).
    Credits: 144

    Entry requirements:
    The MU qualification allows learners who have completed an English subject in their prior secondary studies, while the SA qualification allows learners who completed Bachelor's degree.
    Learners can meet English entry requirements if they have completed English subject in prior secondary studies that is equivalent to an Australian Year 12 level (score requirements also apply). Acceptable English subjects for international qualifications are detailed in the prerequisite subject requirements section below. Other English subjects may be accepted and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

    Demonstrate broad knowledge and technical skills in accounting and provide discipline-based solutions relevant to the business, professional and public policy communities that we serve. In particular:
  • Exercise judgment under supervision to solve routine accounting problems in straightforward contexts using social, ethical, economic, regulatory, and global perspectives.
  • Integrate theoretical and technical accounting knowledge which includes a selection of auditing, finance, economics, quantitative methods, and information systems.
    critically apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to solve routine accounting problems.
  • Justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in straightforward collaborative contexts involving both accountants and non-accountants.
  • Reflect on performance feedback to identify and action learning opportunities and self-improvements.
  • Demonstrate a well-developed understanding of multidisciplinary decision-making in organisations via the application of knowledge from core business discipline areas.

    Modules
  • Introduction to financial accounting.
  • Microeconomics.
  • Business statistics.
  • Auditing and assurance.
  • Global issues in accounting.
  • Business finance.
  • Corporate finance.
  • business law.
  • Taxation law.
  • Accounting for sustainability
  • Financial analysis and valuation
  • Predictive analytics in accounting
  • Business Taxation
  • Insolvency and reconstruction
  • Data analysis in business.

    Similarities:
  • Both the MU and SA qualification share similar modules such as Advanced financial accounting, and Taxation law.
    Both the MU and SA qualifications share the following similar learning outcomes. Creative scholars who produce:
  • Innovative solutions to problems
  • Apply research skills to business challenges.
  • Communicate effectively and perceptively.

    Differences:
    The MU qualification is offered over a period of three years full-time, while the SA qualification is offered over a period of one year full-time.

    Country: New Zealand:
    Institution: University of Otago
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce in Accounting:
    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 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 other related fields 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, develop business plans, process complex tax returns and lodgements, corporate financial reports, and corporate governance.

    Modules:
  • Auditing.
  • Financial Management.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Financial Reporting.
  • Taxation.

    Similarities:
  • Both qualifications have a weighting of 120 Credits and are offered in one year.
  • Both qualifications compare favourably in terms of the modules such as Financial Management, Management Accounting, Financial Reporting, Auditing and Taxation. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Management Accounting, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accountancy, NQF Level 8
  • 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.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Management Accounting, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Accountancy, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Accountancy in Financial Accounting, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Accounting, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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. University of Venda 


    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.