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 Accounting Science Honours

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
49751	Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Honours 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	120	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0733/25	2024-06-30	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 Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours qualification aims to introduce learners to more advanced concepts relating to Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, and Management Accounting and Finance, in addition to introducing the conventions and processes related to academic research.

The qualification emphasises principles of corporate governance and ethical conduct at an advanced level. Professionals with this background are better equipped to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in financial decision-making, contributing to the overall integrity of the sector.

Trained accountants play a pivotal role in maintaining financial stability within organisations. By ensuring accurate financial reporting and effective financial management, they contribute to the economic stability of businesses, which, in turn, has positive implications for the broader economy.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:

Display an in-depth knowledge of a major discipline in more than one area.

Convert business records using formal and accepted accounting practices into management information.

Operate in both turbulent and stable economic environments and respond effectively to uncertainties.

Access, process and communicate information appropriately and effectively.

Rationale:
One of the requirements to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa is a postgraduate qualification accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. This qualification meets this requirement for the professional accreditation. The qualification is also aligned with the professional accounting examinations. It prepares candidates to write the exams required to qualify as a chartered accountant.

The honours part of the qualification allows learners to gain a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the chosen subject. Learners can improve their research skills and it provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate studies. It will improve their employability and personal development.

Chartered Accountants require specialised knowledge in areas such as accounting principles, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and business law. A dedicated qualification ensures that candidates acquire in-depth knowledge and develop the specific skills needed to excel in the accounting profession.

Graduates can contribute to improving financial literacy within society. By guiding financial matters, they empower individuals and businesses to make informed financial decisions, leading to better financial outcomes at both the personal and organisational levels.

The qualification instils a sense of social responsibility in professionals. Accountants are often involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives, contributing to societal well-being through charitable activities, community development projects, and sustainable business practices.

As some graduates may choose to become entrepreneurs or work with small businesses, their financial expertise can support the growth and sustainability of smaller enterprises. This, in turn, contributes to economic development and job creation.

The qualification will enhance the employability of the learner in the accounting profession and to allow learners entry to the accounting profession's qualifying examinations. Typical learners for the qualification are those who want to become Chartered Accountants (SA).

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 regards 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 for 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 Commerce, NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Postgraduate Diploma: Commerce, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 150 credits.

Compulsory modules, level 8, 120 Credits:

Financial Accounting IV, 30 credits.

Taxation IV, 30 credits.

Auditing IV, 30 credits.

Management Accounting and Finance IV, 30 credits.

Elective modules, level 8, 30 Credits (Select one module):

Accounting Honours, 30 credits.

Taxation Honours, 30 credits.

Managerial Accounting Honours, 30 credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Display an in-depth knowledge of a major discipline in more than one area.
2. Convert business records using formal and accepted accounting practices into management information.
3. Operate in both turbulent and stable economic environments and respond effectively to uncertainties.
4. Access, process and communicate information appropriately and effectively.
5. Work effectively as an individual, in multicultural teams and in multidisciplinary environments.
6. Engage in life-long learning through the exercise of fundamental learning skills and understands the requirement to maintain continued competence.
7. Demonstrate an accepted ethical behaviour and show awareness of the code of conduct adopted by the Institution and of the necessity to carry this code into the world of work.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:

Demonstrate in-depth specialist knowledge of a major discipline in more than one area.

Analyse and apply advanced accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation theory to practical situations.

Identify problems in the field of study (e.g. accounting, auditing and taxation) and related disciplines

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:

Prepare auditable financial statements to South African standards at an advanced level.

Prepare and analyse segmental reports, interim reports, value-added statements and prospectuses.

Apply generally accepted accounting practise to recognise, measure and disclose items in other financial reports.

Apply statutory disclose requirements, including fair presentation, for other financial reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Analyse the nature and functioning of diverse forms of enterprise and economic systems and perform tasks necessary to the effective functioning of enterprises in varying circumstances.

Formulate and propose potential solutions to various economic, organisational, business and social problems.

Use multi-disciplinary approaches to conceptual thinking and problem-solving.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Access information using a spectrum of technologies, ranging from hand-written to auto-generated business records and electronic data bases.

Process and communicate information using technologies ranging from written reports to visual presentations.

Access, use and organise information and knowledge in an ever-changing context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Use skills to manage him/herself and exercise self-discipline.

Plan and initiate the successful completion of management support, management and administrative tasks individually or in collaboration.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:

Formulate, solve and propose potential solutions to convergent and divergent economic, organisational, business and social problems.

Keep abreast of the changing business, financial and policy environment which brings ever-new methods, techniques, and competitive challenges.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:

Communicate the need to act professionally and ethically to both clients, employees and the world at large.

Apply the knowledge and understanding of the professional ethics of the accounting profession

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
Assignments, examinations, and research reports serve as the integrated formative and summative assessments. Formative assessment is undertaken on a continuous basis, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks, as well as reports on research plans. Such methods assess students' progress towards the professional and academic competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed above.

The summative assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical, and reflexive competence in research or in the academic discipline being assessed. Furthermore, to pass a course, and, finally, to qualify, the learner must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired. These assessment practices, aligned with intended learning outcomes, will take diverse forms, including inter alia, diagnostic, formative, summative, and continuous assessment.

No single assessment will account for more than 40% of the final mark, while the assessment strategy will comprise at least three assessments.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:

Country: New Zealand
Institution: University of Auckland
Qualification: Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Accounting)

Purpose
The Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Accounting) will provide learners with an additional 120 points of postgraduate research-based study to develop your analytical skills and critical thinking.

Learners will complete a set of advanced courses in the discipline and a short, supervised dissertation or project that will demonstrate your independent research skills. Your honours programme structure and courses will depend on the specialisation selected.

Similarities:

Both qualifications are one-year honours qualifications that specialise in accounting.

Modules for both qualifications include a research element that focuses on introducing learners to academic research.

Both qualifications allows access into a master's qualification.

Differences: The University of Auckland qualification is not geared at preparing students for a qualifying exam. Also, the qualification has a greater focus on technology and excludes taxation.

Country: Australia
Institution: The University of Sydney
Qualification: Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Accounting)

Purpose:
The University of Sydney's Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) (Accounting) is a one-year postgraduate degree for high-achieving students that builds on an undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce degree. It involves coursework and a 20,000-word research thesis to develop advanced analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Graduates will be equipped with a deep understanding of financial and management accounting, with career prospects in areas like auditing, corporate finance, and taxation.

Similarities:

Both qualifications are one-year honours qualifications that specialise in accounting.

Modules for both qualifications include a research element that focuses on introducing learners to academic research.

Both qualifications allow access into a Master's qualifications.

Differences:
The University of Sydney qualification is not geared at preparing students for qualifying exam. It requires research in each module rather than a separate course. The qualification has a focus on accounting and business and does not include Management Accounting and Finance as well as Taxation. Qualification is offered by the Business School.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Commerce (in different fields), NQF Level 9.

Master of Accounting, NQF Level 9.

Diagonal Articulation:
There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.	University of Witwatersrand