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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
5669  Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0480/09  2009-07-01  2011-11-02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2012-11-02   2015-11-02  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
85107  Postgraduate Diploma: Applied Accounting Sciences  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with post-graduate level knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and the necessary attitudes in the field associated with accounting, commerce and industry that prepare them to be lifelong learners, employable workers/ managers/entrepreneurs and contributors to society and the business community.

The second purpose of the qualification is the education and training of professional accountants with the necessary knowledge, skills and professional lives. To achieve the goal of providing a foundation for life - long learning it requires a grounding in the knowledges skills and professional value essential to professional competency.

The third purpose of the qualification is to produce competent professional accountants who make a positive contribution over their lifetimes to the profession and society in which they work. The maintenance of professional competence in the fact of the increasing change they encounter makes it imperative that graduates develop and maintain an attitude of learning to learn.

The fourth purpose is the development of a framework to answer whether professional accounts exercise good judgement and act in an ethical manner that is in the best interest of society and the profession.

A further purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with functional financial and cost managers at the middle/top management level in all sectors of the economy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners who register for this qualification can:
  • Learn from predominantly written material.
  • Communicate what they have learnt comprehensively in the medium of instruction.
  • Take responsibility for their own progress.


    Recognition of prior learning:

    This qualification recognises:
  • Formal prior learning:

    - Students' prior accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units is recognised;
    - Students' in possession of a Bachelor of Accounting Science or any equivalent qualification;

    or

    - Another degree (including a B-Tech) and have passed in the following courses, or equivalent thereof:
  • Financial Accounting (at third level)
  • Auditing (at third level)
  • Management Accounting (at third level)
  • Income Tax
  • Commercial Law or equivalent (at second level)
  • Statistics or equivalent (at first level)
  • Economics (at first level)
  • Business Management (at first level)
  • Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:

    - Unisa is investigating a recognition or prior learning (RPL) policy. Students will be given credits for RPL once the policy is implemented. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Critical cross-field outcomes:

    All critical cross-field outcomes will be embedded appropriately in the courses, which constitute the programmes that lead to the qualification. They will be assessed within the context of the programmes. The distance education context has particular challenges, which we try to meet below:

    1. The Honours BCompt graduate can identify analyse, formulate and serve needs of individuals and society creatively and responsibly in regard to accounting, auditing and taxation.

    2. The Honours BCompt graduate can work effectively with others as a member or leader of a team, group, organisation, community and contribute to the group output with special reference to accounting, finance and auditing.

    3. The Honours BCompt graduate can manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibility effectively.

    4. The Honours BCompt graduate can communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/o language skills in the modes of written presentation

    5. The Honours BCompt graduate can collect analyse organise and critically evaluate information, as required, in the pursuit of the Honours BCompt.

    6. The Honours BCompt graduate can use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well being of others, in community, national and global context.

    7. The Honours BCompt graduate can demonstrate and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving context do not exist in isolation and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.


    Developmental:

    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of the following developmental outcomes:

    1. The Honours BCompt graduate can reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.

    2. The Honours BCompt graduate can participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local and national communities

    3. The Honours BCompt graduate can explore education and career opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification.

    4. The Honours BCompt graduate can be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts

    5. The Honours BCompt graduate can develop entrepreneurial opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification.


    Specific:

    A Honous BCompt student is actively engaged in becoming a well-rounded, educated person and in preparing for further, more specific study or for a specialist professional in the work environment. As such she or he develops and holds certain values and integrates knowledge and skills to achieve her or his purposes. The specific outcomes show how knowledge, skills and values are integrated in the qualification in the SAQA fields of Business, Commerce and Management studies.

    1. The Honours BCompt graduate can demonstrate an advanced understanding of all aspects relating to the field of accounting, taxation and auditing.

    2. The Honours BCompt graduate can deal with advanced problems in disciplines of accounting, auditing and taxation.

    3. The Honours BCompt graduate can prepare analyse and interpret financial reports for different types of business entities in accordance with the objectives of financial reporting, generally accepted accounting practice and statutory disclosure requirements.

    4. A Honours BCompt graduate can prepare and analyse other financial reports in accordance with the objectives of financial reporting, generally accepted accounting practice and statutory disclosure requirements.

    5. A Honours BCompt graduate can identify and apply the methods of accounting for groups of companies.

    6. A Honours BCompt graduate can prepare and analyse financial statements under appropriate measurement basis and concepts of capital maintenance.

    7. The Honours BCompt graduate can analyse financial information critically and contribute to effective decision-making.

    8. The Honours BCompt graduate can demonstrate an understanding of costing concepts and their application in design, implementation and operation of costing systems.

    9. The Honours BCompt graduate can devise appropriate indicators of performance to measure and evaluate financial management performance and provide information for management control, decision-making and system design.

    10. The Honours BCompt graduate can make recommendations designed to responsibly manage the entity through effective use of financial resource in accordance with the strategic objectives of the firm.

    11. The Honours BCompt graduate can deal with advanced and integrated problems in the tax field.

    12. The Honours BCompt graduate can recognise potential tax applications and contribute to the evaluating of existing ones.

    13. The Honours BCompt graduate can perform cost effective external audits of small to large trading entities.

    14. The Honours BCompt graduate can use the computer as a tool during the audit process and for obtaining timeous relevant information to make informed decisions.

    15. The Honours BCompt graduate can devise management of relevant corporate government issues.

    16. The Honours BCompt graduate can comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to auditors and directors responsibilities.

    17. The Honours BCompt graduate can perform a social- critical role in society.

    18. The Honours BCompt graduate is able to communicate his/her skills in rational and logical manner.

    19. The Honours BCompt can practice the ethics pertinent to taxation, accounting, management accounting and auditing. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Critical Cross-field:

    Evidence in the form of tasks in study materials, written assignments, portfolio tasks, projects, case studies and examinations, will show that learners:

    1.
  • Identify needs by means of exploring and critically evaluating abstract and personal situations.
  • Solve problems by generating and implementing alternative strategies for dealing with them.
  • Overcome communication problems creatively.
  • Critically evaluate various viewpoints and compare them to own views.
  • Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from theoretical knowledge base, from experiential base, etc) to support their stated views.
  • Identify and suggest accounting, finance and taxation needs and opportunities in business by use of case studies, primary research, projects, etc.
  • Identify, analyse and solve concrete and abstract problems in the field of specifically accounting, finance auditing and taxation by drawing upon the theoretical knowledge and the learner.
  • Identify and solve concrete and abstract problems by drawing upon their own experience base and academic background.
  • Use their knowledge and experience to formulate suggestions for solving problems at a community and national level, international and global level.
  • Analyse the global, national and local communities in terms of accounting, finance, taxation and auditing problems, needs and opportunities.

    2.
  • Apply "people skills" (tolerance, empathy, listening skills, leadership, etc)in liasing with other professionals and client.
  • Demonstrate respect for the opinion of others through written reporting without basis.
  • Demonstrate tolerance of diversity through written reporting without basis
  • Undertake projects and provide evidence of successful interaction with others.
  • Use effective communication skills within a group situation.
  • Organise themselves and others into effective working groups.
  • Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through written reporting.
  • Lead people effectively in specific situations within the limits of their competence because of their business expertise.

    3.
  • Demonstrate the requisite study skills and learning strategies.
  • Organise their study plans.
  • Cope with the self-discipline necessary for distance learning.
  • Think independently, and offer evidence to support their decisions.
  • Assess their own strength and weaknesses and develop coping strategies.
  • Managing people in the business environment in accordance with the limits of their competence.
  • Identify needs and opportunities for tax planning, accounting and finance in their own lives.

    4.
  • Demonstrate increasingly competent research skills.
  • Use library and other resources effectively to suit their individual needs and the particular areas of research.
  • Integrate information from a variety of sources.
  • Act responsibly as a researcher and scholar (e.g. appropriate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc)
  • Use the conventions of scholarship in the various disciplines under study.
  • Follow relevant conventions and guidelines to their academic and career purposes.
  • Critical analyse theories, example, experience, etc.
  • Argue appropriate within the business community.
  • Demonstrate academic research ability for preparation of Master-and Doctoral studies.

    5.
  • Community their ideas and provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
  • Responsible use of other's ideas in support of their own (without plagiarism, etc)
  • Identify and generate conclusion and premises in academic arguments.
  • Follow the literacy and numeracy conventions of written use in the accounting and finance and auditing disciplines.
  • Use appropriate models of organisation and presentation as required in the above-mentioned disciplines
  • Use statistics appropriately and responsibly in support of their ideas.
  • Create and use visual appropriately to support their ideas.
  • Recognise own communication limitations and problems and seek help appropriately.
  • Assist other to speak for themselves (e.g. appear on behalf of a client)
  • Use language to critically analyse, evaluate and critique others ideas.

    6.
  • Use the scientific method of investigation, testing and evaluating
  • Select appropriate technology to suit the needs of the business community, client or employer).
  • Use other technology (computers, calculators, Internet, etc) where appropriate and feasible.
  • Show respect for and a responsible attitude towards science and technology.
  • Position becoming familiar with accounting package.

    7.
  • Draw upon their prior knowledge (personal and abstract) and personal experience as appropriate when investigating and analysing the world around them.
  • Look beyond the across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.
  • Follow an integrated approach to learning and studying.
  • Choose and follow appropriate educational and career pathways.
  • Apply systems thinking to solving economic and management related problems.


    Developmental:

    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of the following developmental outcomes:

    1.
  • Apply what they study in different contexts, personal and public, real and simulated.
  • Display self-awareness of learning preferences and strategies to suit their needs and the demands of the field of study.
  • Show evidence of effectively study skills (e.g. note-taking, summarising, analysing and synthesis).

    2.
  • Demonstrate an ability to help others meet their fiscal obligations.
  • Monitor and provide input into fiscal policy and legislation.

    3.
  • Value of diversity and others" opinions and world views.

    4.
  • Illustrate the relationship between the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in studying towards the BCompt and those of the community at large (in routine and some non-routine contexts).
  • Make connection from theoretical knowledge to practical application in the real world.
  • Identify the Honours BCompt skills, which are highly valued in the workplace, across the disciplines and sectors of society.
  • Use the skills required for effective communications skills, thoughtful accuracy and interpersonal sensitivity and business acumen.
  • Deal effectively with unknown problems within a variety of routine and non-routine context and tasks set to them on the job, in the real world, by drawing upon the skills from the Honours Bcompt (critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution, system thinking, entrepreneurial qualities, strategies planning etc).
  • Demonstrate a sense of corporate governance principles and work ethic.
  • Adapt to different organisational cultures.

    5.
  • Create job opportunities in whatever situation they find themselves.
  • Have a realistic view of their own worth and value to contribute to their local community and global society.
  • Communicate that value to others in the real world (writing business reports, CV writing skills, communication skills).
  • Demonstrate a healthy self-esteem and confidence in their knowledge, skills and attitudes as required to complete the Honours BCompt qualification.
  • Evaluate various unknown situation with flexibility and adaptability.
  • Formulate and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities within a variety of routine and non-routine contexts.


    Specific:

    Evidence in the form of tasks in study materials, written assignments, portfolio tasks, projects, case studies and examinations, will show that graduates:

    1.
  • Analyse and apply advanced accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation theory to practical situations.
  • Contribute to the development of fiscal policy and legislation.

    2.
  • Identify problems in the field of study and related disciplines (e.g. accounting, auditing and taxation)
  • Develop appropriate solutions
  • Formulate appropriate responses to resolve both concrete and abstract problems

    3.
  • Identify the overall objectives of financial reporting, the specific information needs of equity investors, and the general information needs of other users.
  • Apply the qualitative characteristics of financial reports to the presentation and measurement issues to enhance the decision-usefulness of financial reporting.
  • Apply generally accepted accounting practice to recognise, measure and disclose items in the annual financial statements.
  • Apply statutory disclosure requirements, including fair presentation, i.r.o. Various financial reports.
  • Contrast different forms of entity and prepare reports to reflect the different characteristics of equity.
  • Apply the concept of the various bases of measurement to identify the appropriate measurement of groups of items in primary of supplementary financial statements.
  • Analyse and interpret Historic Cost and Current value financial reports accurately.

    4.
  • Prepare and analyse segmental reports, interim reports, value-added statements and prospectuses.
  • Apply generally accepted accounting practise to recognise, measure and disclose items in the other financial reports.
  • Apply statutory disclose requirements, including fair presentation, for other financial reports.

    5.
  • Measure, disclose and integrate items in accordance with GAAP and statutory requirements in the preparation of group annual financial statements where consolidation, proportionate consolidation or equity accounting is applied for local and foreign investors.

    6.
  • Identify when and how to prepare financial statements, using historical cost, current value or general purchasing power adjusted.

    7.
  • Apply knowledge of accounting procedures and principles.
  • Interpret financial statements critically, showing evidence of sound principles and critical judgement.
  • Analyse real life situations to determine the correct financing structure of a business.
  • Suggest investment procedure and principles for specific clients.
  • Analyse real life situations to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of financial decision-making.
  • Apply knowledge of the operations of financial markets and institutions.

    8.
  • Design and evaluate costing systems appropriate for various types of organisations and processes.
  • Calculate, record and report information necessary for effective cost management.
  • Apply cost management techniques, which achieve the strategic objectives of the business.
  • Advise clients on the issue and principles of control centres.

    9.
  • Build and manipulate simple financial modules and test assumptions.
  • Review financial systems and operations and make recommendations for their improvement.
  • Manage change within the organisation.

    10.
  • Identify and interpret appropriate measures of performance, risk and uncertainty.
  • Advise clients on the investment, financing and dividend admissions.
  • Apply the principles of financing to the valuation of a business entity and to the valuation of financial assets using appropriate techniques.
  • Advise clients on management of working capital, foreign exchange and investment.
  • Advise clients on change in ownership transactions.
  • Evaluate and select appropriate financing instruments for effective risk minimisation.

    11.
  • Calculate and evaluate the taxable income and normal income tax liability of individuals, companies, close corporations, farmers, trust, estates and partnership.
  • Calculate and evaluate the STC, donations tax, employees, tax, provisional tax, estate duty and Vat liabilities of various taxpayers.

    12.
  • Interpret and apply the laws and procedures relating to taxed levied in terms of the Income Tax Act, with particular reference to:
  • The Income Tax Act
  • The Value Added Tax Act
  • Important decisions of the courts
  • Practice Note issued by the Commissioner for Inland Revenues and
  • Tax Planning
  • Interpret and apply the laws and procedures relating to the duty which is levied on the estate of deceased persons and perform adequate estate planning
  • Give advice to clients on tax planning and estate planning and various related topics

    13.
  • Analyse and assess the reasonabilities and rights of an auditor as well as the nature of the legal liability of the auditor
  • Explain the concepts and principles relevant to the audit function
  • Assess internal control systems and make recommendations where appropriate
  • Apply the major stages of audit process and the rationale behind each as part of the procedures for obtaining audit evidence
  • Prepare the auditor's report on financial statements, special purpose audit reports and related service engagement reports.
  • Apply the legislation, regulations, generally accepted auditing standards and contractual requirements relating to that audit and or related services engagement
  • Analyse and evaluate the risks in the different internal control cycles to determine that risk is reduced to an acceptable level

    14.
  • Assess and integrate the risks and controls in a computer environment
  • Use the appropriate hardware and software during the audit process
  • Apply knowledge of different software packages and how to use them in the decision making process

    15.
  • Apply knowledge of corporate governance to specific contexts

    16.
  • Apply the relevant rules of company to given practical situations and assess practical situations in the audit process and advice on their effects on the audit function

    17.
  • Use disciplinary- and interdisciplinary-based information to take an informed stand especially in regard to fiscal policy and legislation with self-confidence and responsibility
  • Take a personal role in the accounting and finance environment (writing or articles, etc) of South Africa.

    18.
  • Answer questions in writing and in an acceptable format e.g. reports
  • Use language effectively to convey ideas and insights intelligibly and achieve his or her own purpose
  • Evaluate, interpret and generate information in and from a variety of media sources
  • Understand the ramifications of taxations, accounting management and auditing and in language which is accessible to the general public and the business community

    19.
  • Assess the conduct of the auditor in public practice
  • Communicate the need to act professionally and ethically to both clients, employees and the world at large
  • Take responsibility within own limits of competence
  • Exercise judgement commensurate with knowledge and experience
  • Apply the knowledge and understanding of the professional ethics of the accounting profession


    Integrated assessment:
  • Formative Assessment:

    Learning and assessment are integrated. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks. The scheme of work includes assignment and tests based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes
  • Summative assessment:

    Examination, or equivalent assessment such as a portfolio of evidence assess a representative selection of the outcomes practices and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a course. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Unisa forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators an accredited accordingly, for example Unisa's qualifications are accredited in the international handbook of universities and in the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. The qualification will articulate with those of other universities and other qualifications. For example, recognition will be given to modules completed at other tertiary institutions and the relationship will be reciprocal.

    2. Upon completion of the Honours BCompt, students have options for further study. Students may proceed to postgraduate study at Masters level. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Within Unisa, first examiners set and assess assignments tests and examinations. In the case of assignments and tests, the quality is checked by course co-ordinators or team leaders and by the head of department. In the case of examinations, a system of external second examiners is used to moderate question papers, the marketing process and marked scripts 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    1. Our own staff will be used as assessors in a manner that fits into the quality management system of Unisa and accords with the university's tuition and assessment policies. This will also apply to the appointment of outside persons.

    2. The quality management system:
  • Qualifications:
    The minimum requirement for appointment as a lecturer or external marker at Unisa is an Honours degree and appropriate experience. It is recommended that lectures for the Honours course should hold the Chartered Accountancy Qualification. In case of workplace assessment, appropriate professional criteria will be drawn up for each discipline.
  • Mentorship:
    All junior and new members of staff are mentored by senior members as they work together in teams. All assessment done by external markers is quality-controlled by internal staff.
  • Training:
    All new members of staff have access to the Bureau of University Teaching's website on assessment and may apply for special training in aspects of assessment at any time. External markers attend marker's meetings prior to assessing assignments or examinations and are given clear guidelines on how to assess particular pieces of word. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification ID 85107, which is "Postgraduate Diploma: Applied Accounting Sciences", Level 8, 120 credits.


    . 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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 South Africa 


    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.