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
121180  Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Stadio (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 0920/23  2023-11-14  2026-11-14 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-11-14   2032-11-14  

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 Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (BCom in Accounting) qualification is to assist learners to acquire and adopt a coherent and systematic approach to the concepts, principles, theories, and problem-solving techniques within the field of accounting. Learners will be equipped with essential theoretical knowledge, as well as practical application skills in Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting and Taxation within the context of the accounting profession of South Africa and beyond. Furthermore, the qualification will enable learners to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills to fulfil the role of the financial accountant in the private and public sectors.

Qualified learners will be able to:
  • Apply a range of appropriate methods and procedures in the field of Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting and Taxation to solve relevant accounting-related problems, as well as to implement solutions in a competitive financial environment.
  • Function responsibly, legally, and ethically in the field of accounting within an organisation (public or private), with due consideration of the professional codes of conduct in the accounting environment.
  • Demonstrate an adaptive mindset to stay abreast of developments in the business world and continuous challenges in the accounting profession.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of cultural diversity, social reality, and the need for transformation in South Africa.
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the changing financial environment for public and private entities and harness technological advances and other innovations appropriately, using suitable forecasting techniques.

    Rationale:
    Businesses are becoming more complex entities, and hence different accounting professions have developed over time, and are expected to grow further. Islam (2017) forecasts that the accounting profession will face major challenges in the next three decades and recommends that educational institutions should respond to it by incorporating subjects like smart and digital technology, continued globalisation of reporting/disclosure standards, and new forms of regulation into their curricula.

    Today, Accounting specialisations range from Financial Accounting and Management Accounting to Government Accounting, Tax Accounting, Forensic Accounting, Project Accounting and even Social Accounting.

    The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting is purposefully designed to provide learners with a coherent and systematic approach to the application of concepts, principles, theories, and problem-solving techniques within the field of accounting. Learners are equipped with essential theoretical knowledge, as well as practical application skills in Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting and Taxation within the context of the accounting professions of South Africa and beyond.

    Furthermore, the qualification enables learners to gain the skills relevant to the role of the financial accountant in the private and public sectors.
    Overall, the qualification aims at providing learners with:
  • Intellectual enrichment in the field of the Accounting Sciences.
  • An opportunity to register with relevant professional bodies.
  • Knowledge of current thinking, theory, application, and methodology in the field of the accounting sciences.
  • An opportunity to be work-ready in the future world of work in the accounting sphere.
  • An opportunity to build a solid foundation in accounting while also adding knowledge and skills for the future world of work, in terms of digitalisation and automation.

    The typical learner enrolling for a BCom in Accounting is interested in employment in the areas of Accounting and Finance. These learners mostly aspire to be employed in large corporations, while a smaller proportion of applicants are interested in starting their own businesses. In addition to this, learners could also enter the government sphere. Last but not least, learners could move into different accounting sub-fields.

    The BCom in Accounting will equip learners for a broad range of jobs in business, including:
  • Accounting specialist
  • Junior auditor
  • Senior bookkeeper
  • Company secretary
  • Actuary

    Alternatively, the learners could find work as an accounting specialist, in other business fields, based on their knowledge and skills in a combination of accounting and other general business modules.

    Finally, the South African economy desperately needs a growing number of general accountants in the public as well as private and small business sectors, in addition to accountants in the government or corporate environments. In the first year of study, the focus is on laying a solid foundation in the supporting areas of knowledge, namely Mathematics and concepts and principles of Statistics, Communication and legal principles and information systems (included in the Induction to Business Studies module).

    The BCom in Accounting is intended for the learners who wish to pursue a career as a financial accountant and the student who wishes to register with an appropriate professional accounting body such as:
  • Institute for Accounting and Commerce (IAC)
  • South African Institute for Business Accountants (SAIBA)
  • South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)
  • Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • The SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)

    Indicate the most appropriate learning pathway within which the qualification resides.

    Learners who wish to further their studies will proceed to a Postgraduate Diploma or a Bachelor's Honours in a field related to Business and Commerce. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 to 7 totalling 390 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 60 Credits:
  • Induction to Business Studies, 10 Credits
  • Introduction to Accounting, 20, Credits
  • Introduction to Management, 20 Credits
  • Business Mathematics, 10 credits

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 210 Credits:
  • Financial Accounting 1A, 20 Credits
  • Economics, 20 Credits
  • Business Law and Compliance, 20 Credits
  • Statistics, 10 Credits
  • Data and Decision Making, 10 Credits
  • Management Accounting 1A, 10 Credits
  • Management Accounting 1B, 20 Credits
  • Financial Accounting 1B, 20 Credits
  • Global Citizenship, 20 Credits
  • Taxation 1, 20 Credits
  • Financial Management, 20 Credits
  • Auditing 1, 20 Credits

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 100 Credits:
  • Financial Accounting 2A, 20 Credits
  • Management Accounting 2A, 20 Credits
  • Taxation 2, 20 Credits
  • Financial Accounting 2B, 20 Credits
  • Management Accounting 2B, 20 Credits

    A learner may choose one elective:

    Elective Modules, NQF Level 7, 20 Credits
  • Company Law, 20 Credits
  • Auditing 2, 20 Credits
  • Technology and Innovation Management, 20 Credits
  • Future Thinking and Scenario Planning, 20 Credits
  • Financial Markets, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply a range of appropriate methods and procedures in the field of accounting, auditing, management accounting and taxation to solve relevant accounting-related problems, as well as to implement solutions in a competitive financial environment.
    2. Function responsibly, legally, and ethically in the field of accounting within an organisation (public or private), with due consideration of the professional codes of conduct in the accounting environment.
    3. Demonstrate an adaptive mindset to stay abreast of developments in the business world and relevant accounting professions or environments.
    4. Demonstrate an awareness of cultural diversity, the social reality, and the need for transformation in South Africa.
    5. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the changing financial environment for public and private entities and harness technological advances and other innovations appropriately. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply theoretical principles relating to the fields of accounting, auditing, management accounting and taxation in a day-to-day practical business environment.
  • Evaluate day-to-day business challenges in a competitive commercial and financial environment.
  • Recommend suitable solutions for business problems, using financial, auditing, and governance lenses.
  • Interpret competitive drivers in the financial industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Analyse and reflect on taking continuous responsibility and action as an ethical leader in an accounting environment.
  • Apply key legal concepts used in a commercial and financial environment.
  • Debate ethical approaches in business and finance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Critically analyse the importance of adaptiveness and agility at a personal level and a business level, as well as at a team level, in a financial environment.
  • Debate the importance of sustainable economies and businesses and its effects on the financial sector.
  • Identify and analyse relevant current and future developments and challenges for the financial environment.
  • Recommend suitable actions and solutions in a financial environment, to act timeously, without negative consequences to the business or the clients.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Critically evaluate how the socioeconomic situation in South Africa affects the financial sector.
  • Examine and apply concepts of cultural diversity as a positive driver for business success in the financial arena.
  • Evaluate various steps and strategies in transforming the South African financial sector for the common good.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply technological and innovative perspectives in an accounting, tax and auditing environment.
  • Identify and critically analyse automation opportunities for the accounting profession, against the backdrop of technological advancements.
  • Identify suitable steps and strategies in implementing financial innovations, using advanced technologies.
  • Identify strategies for businesses to strive in a fast-paced and unprecedented change in the financial sphere driven by digitalisation.
  • Evaluate the role of the financial department or practice in achieving innovation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Various countries around the world work with different professional bodies for the accounting profession, all of which belong to the international federation of accounting bodies. Most of professional accountants have qualified with a United Kingdom (UK) or United States (US) industry body, with their related industry designations, like ACA or CIMA in the UK, and ACCA in the US.

    Many first-degree qualifications are linked to a professional designation pathway with different seniority levels, and once a learner graduates and fulfils all the other relevant requirements, for example, work experience, and signing a specific code of conduct, a specific designation can be applied for. Other qualifications allow learners to become a junior accountant, without necessarily going for the designation route.

    Below is a comparison between two degrees, one offered in Canada and one in the UK.

    Country: Canada
    Institution: McGill University
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)

    Purpose/Rationale

    The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) focuses on preparing, interpreting, and utilizing the financial and managerial information of an organization. The qualification includes financial and managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation.

    Rules of Combination
    McGill University offers a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) as a contact learning degree. This 3-year degree requires students to complete the following modules.

    Qualification Structure

    Modules
    The following courses are compulsory as part of the Management Core (36 credits):
  • Macroeconomic Policy (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Organizational Behaviour (3 credits)
  • Business Statistics (3 credits)
  • Managerial Economics (3 credits)
  • Information Systems (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Finance (3 credits)
  • Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
  • Social Context of Business (3 credits)
  • International Business (3 credits)
  • Strategic Management (3 credits)
  • Operations Management (3 credits)

    The following courses are compulsory as part of the Accounting Major (18 credits):
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 (3 credits)
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting 2 (3 credits)
  • Management Accounting (3 credits)
  • Cost Accounting (3 credits)
  • Principles of Taxation (3 credits)
  • Development of Accounting Thought (3 credits)

    For the other Complementary Courses, learners need to select an overall of 12 credits from the following:
  • Financial Statement Analysis (3 credits)
  • Sustainability and Environmental Accounting (3 credits)
  • Topics in Accounting 1 (3 credits)
  • Financial Reporting Valuation (3 credits)
  • Advanced Financial Accounting (3 credits)
  • Management Control (3 credits)
  • Principles of Auditing (3 credits)
  • Business Taxation 2 (3 credits)

    Similarities
    The modules highlighted in bold are similar to this Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. Besides the specialised Accounting, Taxation and Auditing modules, McGill University also covers fundamental analytical/technical modules, for example, Statistics, IT and Economics, as well as general business-oriented modules like business management and social context.

    Differences
    The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from McGill University has a marketing module whereas the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting does not. The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting also has 390 credits whereas the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from McGill University has 66 credits.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Kent
    Qualification Title: BSc (Hons) - Accounting and Finance

    Purpose/Rationale
    The Accounting and Finance course at the University of Kent is designed for learners who want to work in the fields of finance and accountancy. It equips learners with core accounting and finance theories and knowledge of the latest techniques which can be applied to real data.

    The University of Kent offers a 3-year BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance on a full-time or a part-time basis. It consists of three stages.

    Qualification Structure
    Modules
    Stage 1
    Compulsory modules currently include:
  • Financial Accounting (30 credits)
  • Principles of Management Accounting (15 credits)
  • Contract Law and Consumer Protection (15 credits)
  • Financial Markets and Institutions (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Management (15 credits)
  • Mathematics and Statistics for Accounting and Finance (15 credits)
  • Economics for Accounting (15 credits)

    Stage 2
    Compulsory modules currently include:
  • Management Accounting 1 (30 credits)
  • Principles of Finance (30 credits)
  • Financial Accounting II (30 credits)
  • Strategic Management (30 credits)
  • Employability for Stage 2 Business Programmes (5 credits)
  • Year Abroad 1 (60 credits)
  • Year Abroad 2 (60 credits)

    Stage 3
    Compulsory modules currently include:
  • Career Management for Stage 3 Business Programmes (5 credits)

    Optional modules may include:
  • Business Finance (30 credits)
  • Auditing (30 credits)
  • Management Accounting II (30 credits)
  • Advanced Financial Accounting (30 credits)
  • Taxation (30 credits)
  • Service Management (15 credits)
  • Fixed Income Markets and Instruments (15 credits)
  • Finance with Excel (15 credits)
  • Futures and Options Markets (30 credits)
  • New Enterprise Development (15 credits)
  • Entrepreneurship (15 credits)
  • Diversity in Organisations (15 credits)
  • Creativity and Innovation in Organisations (15 credits)
  • Psychology of the Contemporary Workplace (15 credits)
  • Operations Management (15 credits)

    Similarities
    The modules highlighted in bold overlap with the BCom in Accounting for this qualification. Like the Canadian degree, besides the specialised Accounting, Taxation and Auditing modules, Kent University also covers fundamental analytical/technical modules, like for example Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, as well as general business-oriented modules like business management and law.

    Common ground between all three qualifications seems to be an in-depth focus on Financial and Management Accounting, as well as the opportunity to select Auditing and Tax modules later in the curriculum. Financial Management topics are covered under different module names, like Finance, Financial Reporting, and Financial Analysis. In addition, subjects like mathematics and statistics, economics, and law, as well as an introduction to management are covered in all three qualifications as well. McGill also covers IT and social context, which this qualification offers as well, under IT Literacy and Global Citizenship.

    Differences
    The Sc (Hons) - Accounting and Finance has modules such as Employability for Stage 2 for Business Programmes (5 credits), Year Abroad 1 (60 credits), and Year Abroad 2 (60 credits) which prepare learners to acquire and develop the employability and transferable skills necessary to search and successfully apply for work experience and graduate opportunities in the commercial and public sector and postgraduate study. The curriculum builds on employability support offered at Stage 1 providing intermediate-level knowledge and exercises in application writing, CVs, careers advice, interview and assessment centre techniques, numeracy and competency tests, and psychometric evaluation. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma: Accountancy at NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma: Accounting Sciences at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Accounting at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Accountancy at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Internal Auditing at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Project Management at NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Management at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration at NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Auditing at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accountancy at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Accounting at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration at NQF Level 8.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Public Sector Auditor, NQF Level 8.
  • Occupational Certificate: Tax Professional, NQF 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. Stadio (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.