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: 

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
120729  Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
EDUVOS (Pty) Ltd (Previously Pearson Institute of Higher 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
National First Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0512/22  2022-11-22  2025-11-21 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-11-21   2031-11-21  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
96721  Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Accounting measures costs for the purpose of decision-making and financial reporting. A qualification in Accounting prepares the successful learner to enter a range of careers in that field, including Cost and Management Accountant, Financial Accountant, Financial Manager, Chartered Accountant, Auditor or Investment Manager. The curriculum of Midrand Graduate Institute's Accounting Programme aims to equip qualifying learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to perform effectively in an Accounting role, as well as with an appropriate knowledge base as preparation for further learning towards either the South African Accountants and Auditors Board Examination or a postgraduate qualification at another institution.

Subsequent to the introduction of the Accounting Programme in 1999, surveys amongst students showed that a number of students were interested in pursuing a career in the broad field of Accounting, but did not wish to practise as Chartered Accountants. Further, an analysis of the employment market showed that there were career opportunities for qualifying learners who had combined their study of Accounting with a study of Investment Management. Therefore the curriculum of the Accounting Programme was restructured to allow students to choose to study either Auditing or Investment Management at Levels 2 and 3.

Rationale for the qualification:
The Accounting Programme at Midrand Graduate Institute provides a different and needed model of higher education in this discipline, some of its characteristics being:
  • As well as providing the students with a solid grounding in the academic theory underpinning the main concepts of the field of Accounting, the curriculum includes a significant practical component.
  • Also included in the curriculum are a range of more generalised modules, such as Business English, Business Management, Business Law and Computer Skills, which are regarded as essential to competent functioning in today's business environment.
  • Coupled with the curriculum model described above, the classes are small and thus the resulting staff : student ratio makes it possible for students to receive individual and specialised attention.

    The result is a well-rounded graduate who, on successful completion of the curriculum, has the option either of entering the world of work immediately, or of continuing with further study in the field of Accounting.

    Further, the Programme contributes to regional and national goals in a variety of ways, including:
  • Broadening access to and success in higher education through flexible entry and fixed exit standards and through the inclusion of academic support components.
  • Recognition of multiple exit points.
  • Inclusion of certain generic competencies.
  • Encouragement of social responsibility.
  • Ensuring that students will be employable on graduation, but at the same time will have the knowledge base to continue with further learning. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The admission criteria for the Accounting Programme are given below:

    A Matriculation (Grade 12) certificate, or equivalent qualification, is the minimum requirement for admission.

    In addition, an applicant must obtain the equivalent of at least an E symbol at Higher Grade or a D symbol at Standard Grade for Mathematics at matriculation level.

    In order to determine the curriculum for which a student may register, the Midrand Graduate Institute Points System applies:
  • Applicants with Matriculation exemption and a minimum of 25 points may be admitted to the 3-year Degree programme.
  • Applicants with Matriculation exemption and between 17 and 24 points may be admitted to the 4-year Degree programme (i.e. Level 1 will be completed over 2 years as a Bridging Programme).
  • Applicants with a Matriculation certificate and a minimum of 25 points may be admitted to the 2-year diploma programme. A student who successfully fulfils all the requirements for the diploma programme and who achieves the required academic standard, may proceed to Level 3 of the Degree programme.
  • Applicants with a Matriculation certificate and between 17 and 24 points may be admitted to the 3-year Diploma programme (i.e. Level 1 will be completed over 2 years as a Bridging Programme). A student who successfully fulfils all the requirements for the diploma programme and who achieves the required academic standard, may proceed to Level 3 of the Degree programme.
  • Applicants with a Matriculation certificate and between 14 and 16 points may apply in writing to the relevant Faculty Head for admission to the programme.

    Mature age applicants or applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications or with previous tertiary experience will be considered individually by the Faculty Head.

    The Bridging Programme has been developed to assist those applicants who, for a variety of reasons, have not gained the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the full first year of an academic programme. This programme includes skills courses to improve the student's proficiency in, for example, English, Study Skills, Analytical Thinking and Numeracy.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Prior learning is recognised in the following ways:
  • A student, who has completed a specific module/subject at Midrand Graduate Institute, may apply for credit for that module/subject.
  • A student, who has completed the equivalent of a specific module/subject either at Midrand Graduate Institute or at another recognised higher education institution, may apply for exemption from that module/subject.
  • In the case of a practically orientated module/subject, a student who is able to demonstrate appropriate competence may be granted exemption from that module/subject. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Bachelor of Commerce in Applied Accounting - B Com (Applied Accounting).

    The B Com (Applied Accounting) programme is offered as a 3-year Degree programme with 2 lower level exit points as follows:
  • A student who successfully completes Level 1 of the curriculum, and who exits from the programme at that point, will be awarded a Certificate in Accounting.
  • A student who successfully completes Levels 1 and 2 of the curriculum, and who exits from the programme at that point, will be awarded a Diploma in Accounting.

    It is important to note that the Accounting Programme is structured in such a way that, as well as constituting Levels 1 and 2 of the Degree programme, the curricula for the Certificate and Diploma constitute genuine stand-alone qualifications.

    It should also be noted that a student who registers for the Accounting Programme will receive only one qualification, that is the highest level qualification for which he/she has completed the requirements. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit-level outcomes are divided into generic competencies, fundamental competencies and those core to the Accounting Programme, as follows:

    a. Generic competencies:
  • The ability to work as a member of a team.
  • The ability to collect, analyse and present information.
  • A knowledge of the use of technology.
  • The ability to use technology and other methods of presentation for communication purposes.
  • The ability to identify and suggest possible solutions to a problem.
  • The ability to organise work requirements so as to meet set deadlines.

    b. Fundamental competencies:
    Business Law:
  • A thorough knowledge of the sources of South African law, the classification of South African law, the structure of the South African judicial system, the law of contract and certain specific contracts, and principles of mercantile law.

    Business Management IA:
  • A sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying business management, general management and the functional management of an enterprise.
  • This includes an understanding of the business organisation and its environment, leadership and control in management, public relations, the integrated marketing strategy and general business management.

    Business Management IB:
  • A sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying business management, general management and the functional management of an enterprise.
    This includes an understanding of financial management, asset management, financing decisions, operations management, purchasing management, human resource management and contemporary issues in management.

    Economics IA:
  • A sound knowledge of the main issues, concepts and tools of economics, including measuring the performance of an economy, price theory, perfect and imperfect competition, the interdependence between the major sectors, markets and flows in an economy, and production and costs.

    Economics IB:
  • A sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying the overall functioning of an economy, including the labour market, the monetary sector, the public sector, the foreign sector and macro-economic problems.

    Quantitative Techniques:
  • A sound knowledge of the theoretical principles underlying calculations of quantities that describe the nature of a population, grouping of data, probabilities, consequences of the actions of decision-makers, hypothesis testing and research.

    Business English:
  • The ability to communicate in English in a business-orientated environment.

    Computer Skills:
  • A sound knowledge of the theory of and practical skills in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint.

    Corporate Law II:
  • A thorough knowledge of partnerships, including the establishment of a partnership, the legal consequences attached to a partnership, and how to dissolve a partnership.
  • A thorough knowledge of companies, including the establishment of a company, the legal consequences attached to a company, shares, and the protection of minority interests.
  • A thorough knowledge of close corporations, including the establishment of a close corporation, the legal consequences attached to a close corporation, and personal liability of members.

    Business Ethics:
  • An understanding of the role of ethics in decision-making in business, including ethics related to corporate responsibility, affirmative action, AIDS, sexual harassment and retrenchment.

    c. Core competencies:
    Financial Accounting IA:
  • A sound understanding of the basic principles of accounting, including compiling income statements and balance sheets, proper recording of assets, and proper record of liabilities.

    Financial Accounting IB:
  • A sound understanding of the theoretical principles underlying the concepts of companies, close-corporations, partnerships, manufacturing, non-profit organisations and branches.

    Taxation IA:
  • A sound understanding of the theoretical principles related to the administration of deceased estates, estate planning and trusts, and administration of insolvent estates.

    Taxation IB:
    A good understanding of the tax principles for each of the following:
  • Basic calculation of income tax.
  • Gross income.
  • Exempt income.
  • Allowable deductions.
  • Calculation of net normal tax.
  • Salaried persons.
  • Standard income tax on employees (SITE).
  • Retirement benefits.
  • Investment income and royalties.
  • Farming income and expenses.
  • Companies and close corporations.

    Financial Accounting IIA:
  • A sound theoretical and practical understanding of draft annual financial statements for certain recognised enterprises (companies and close corporations) in accordance with statutory requirements and generally accepted accounting practice.

    Financial Accounting IIB:
  • A sound theoretical and practical understanding of draft financial statements for certain recognised enterprises (simple groups and partnerships) in accordance with statutory requirements and generally accepted accounting practice.

    Cost and Management Accounting IIA:
  • A sound understanding of the principles related to flexible budgets and their applications, various costing methods, how changes in volumes will influence profits, and how to optimise the use of limited resources.

    Cost and Management Accounting IIB:
  • A sound understanding of the principles related to financial management in the decision-making process, financial analysis, different financial securities, different valuation methods, the time value of money.

    Accounting on Computers:
  • A basic understanding of computerised accounting, with specific attention being paid to the TAS-Book-Keeper package.

    External Financial Reporting:
  • A thorough understanding of the preparation of annual financial statements of companies, in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act, 1973 and generally accepted accounting practice.

    Group Financial Statements:
  • A thorough understanding of the preparation of consolidated annual financial statements of companies, in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act, 1973 and generally accepted accounting practice.

    Financial Management:
  • A sound understanding of the theoretical principles related to the time value of money.
  • A sound understanding of how the concept of the time value of money affects capital investments and financing, and analysis, valuations and restructuring of businesses.

    Managerial and Accounting Control:
  • A sound understanding of the theoretical principles related to cost analysis and managerial decision-making techniques.

    Auditing IA:
  • A sound understanding of the basic principles of auditing, including the nature of the auditing function, the auditing profession, fundamental auditing concepts and principles, the practical approach to an audit, and the audit process.

    Auditing IB:
  • A sound understanding of the evaluation of basic internal control measures and the execution of auditing procedures, which are performed as part of a statutory audit of a commercial and/or service company, including the auditing of financial statements, control procedures, the overall audit plan, revenue/receipts cycle, purchases/payments cycle, stock (inventory) cycle, and finance cycle.

    Investment Management IA:
  • A sound understanding of basic economic concepts and concepts such as financial institutions, financial instruments, and financial markets.

    Investment Management IB:
  • A good understanding of how to apply various types of analyses to a listed company to judge whether it is a good investment. This includes a focus on risk and return, equity analysis, bond evaluation, and derivative strategies.

    General audit procedures:
  • A sound understanding of The Public Accountants' and Auditors' Act, company legislation, and close corporation legislation.

    Computer Auditing:
  • A sound understanding of the principles of the audit process in a computerised accounting system.
  • A sound understanding of the use of the computer in the performance of the audit process, including CAATS (Computer-assisted audit techniques), auditing of computer programs, files, databases and computer processing, auditing specific computer applications, sampling, analytical review, and audit administration.

    Investment Management IIA:
  • A sound understanding of financial markets and instruments, how securities are traded, mutual funds, investors and the investment process, risk and return, efficient diversification, capital asset pricing, and the efficient market hypothesis.

    Investment Management IIB:
  • A sound understanding of bond prices and yields, managing fixed income investment, macroeconomic industry analysis, equity valuation, financial statement analysis, technical analysis, options market, options valuation, and futures market. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    a. Generic competencies:
  • Group projects and assignments.
  • Tests, assignments and examinations.
  • Class and Project presentations.
  • Case-study based tests, assignments and examinations.
  • Deadlines set for various assessment components.

    b. Fundamental competencies:
  • Tests, assignments and examinations.

    c. Core competencies:
  • Tests, assignments and examinations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Midrand Graduate Institute practices an integrated system of assessment, in terms of which students are assessed on an ongoing basis. Students are required to complete class tests, assignments (including practical work and projects) and examinations, the results of which count towards the final mark for each module. The components of the final mark are determined separately for each module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    To our knowledge, this Programme has not been assessed internationally.

    However, given that:
  • The curriculum incorporates the latest standards and practices in the discipline.
  • Well-qualified academics and industry practitioners act as external examiners and moderators of the Programme.

    We have no reason to doubt that the quality and content of our Programme would meet international standards. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    With regard to vertical articulation, a student who wishes to proceed to postgraduate studies at another higher education institution, having completed the Accounting Programme at Midrand Graduate Institute, should be able to do so based on the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of the programme, provided, of course, that his/her academic performance has been of the required standard.

    In terms of horizontal articulation:
  • A student who transfers to another programme within Midrand Graduate Institute will be given credit for relevant modules successfully completed towards the Accounting Programme.
  • Students who, having completed certain modules in the Accounting Programme at Midrand Graduate Institute, wish to transfer to another tertiary level institution, are able to apply successfully for exemption from relevant modules on the basis of modules passed at Midrand Graduate Institute.

    One of the objectives of our rigorous external moderation and examination procedure, and of our ongoing interaction with academic staff of other tertiary level institutions, is to ensure that the content and standard of our curriculum is such that our students will have the opportunity for both vertical and horizontal articulation, both within and outside of Midrand Graduate Institute. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All final assessments at all levels of the curriculum are moderated by academic staff of public higher education institutions or by appropriately qualified industry practitioners. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. EDUVOS (Pty) Ltd (Previously Pearson Institute of Higher 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.