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: 

Higher Certificate: Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73331  Higher Certificate: Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
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 Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  256  Level 5  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L5  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2022-12-31  

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 Certificate in Accounting will develop the applied competence of the learner in preparation for a career in the accounting, business and financial management fields, as well as to provide a basis for further learning.

The Certificate in Accounting sets the scene for a career in the accountancy profession and other related administrative functions. The qualification concentrates on acquiring basic knowledge and skills and its implementation in a practical environment. The scope of employment options includes those mentioned below.

Career Opportunities:
  • Data capture.
  • Administration assistant.
  • Bookkeeper.
  • Junior accountant.
  • Clerk in banking or other commercial sector.
  • Audit clerk.
  • Internal Auditor.
  • SMME clerk.
  • Municipal clerk.

    Rationale:

    There is a national skills shortage in this area at the entry level of accounting technicians. It widens access to tertiary education as the endorsement requirement is removed. It assists the University in moving towards having twenty percent of its enrolment in career based programs.

    This program will provide an inexpensive educational opportunity for those, living in the Zululand area, contemplating a career in the accounting sphere. Students will, after one year have developed skills, that will enable them to choose between further study, in this or another field, or starting work. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    English, as the language of instruction, is a requirement for registration. Students attaining a pass mark in their school leaving certificate will have met this requirement. It should be noted that previous experience in accounting is not a pre requisite for entrance.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    In accordance to the Policy and Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of the University, RPL is regarded as one of the critical mechanisms for achieving redress and equity and accelerating access. (pages 59-65 University Academic Policies).

    This policy and set of procedures can be used in the following purposes:
  • Transfer of credits from one institution to another institution.
  • Admission to a learning programme where the minimum requirements have not been met (excluding mature age exemption category of exemption for admission to undergraduate programmes), and the candidate feels that the requirements can be met through RPL.
  • Admission to learning programmes with advanced standing or "Fast-tracking".

    It should be noted that this policy does not accommodate the awarding of an entire qualification on the basis of RPL and this option would only be considered for inclusion upon review of the policy at the date as set above.

    A person seeking RPL will be required to do an assessment that recognises broadly equivalent skills and knowledge as reflected holistically in the outcomes of the learning programme.

    Access to the Qualification:

    This certificate does not carry the normal maths requirement required by most tertiary institutions as the necessary numeric skills will be developed in the business calculations module. These numeric skills will also be developed in other modules e.g. Accounting.

    Learners from disadvantaged backgrounds have, in our experience, been actively discouraged from doing mathematics at grade 12 Level. This certificate, by not requiring matric mathematics, will allow students to remedy this bad advice.

    Admission Requirements:

    A Certificate issued by the Joint Matriculation Board or a Senior Certificate issued by any of the authorised examining authorities. Both National Senior Certificate and Further Education and Training Certificates with appropriate Levels of proficiency (attainment of a D Symbol) in English will be admitted.

    Students may also gain entry by meeting the requirements of the Universities, Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This Certificate is a two year full time course. It exposes the learner to a variety of entry level skills essential to being employed in bookkeeping or accounting type environment. Upon completion learners will have acquired skills and competencies (at NQF Level 5) sufficient to enter gainful employment. They may also pursue further studies in the accounting or related fields.

    This Qualification is made up of 8 modules (per year) all of a fundamental nature. Each six month semester will require the student to be registered for four modules. Each module will carry 16 credits and require one hundred and sixty notional hours.

    The modules will be scheduled as detailed below:

    Year one (128 Credits):
  • Semester one:
    > Financial Accounting 1.1.
    > Business Information systems 1.1.
    > Cost Accounting 1.
    > Business Calculations.
  • Semester two:
    > Financial Accounting 1.2.
    > Business Information systems 1.2.
    > Commercial law for accountants 1.
    > Communication.

    Year two (128 Credits):
  • Semester one:
    > Financial Accounting 2.1.
    > Auditing 2.1.
    > Cost Accounting 2.1.
    > Taxation.
  • Semester two:
    > Financial Accounting 2.2.
    > Auditing 2.2.
    > Cost Accounting 2.2.
    > Commercial law for accountants 2.

    Total Credits 256. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On achieving this qualification the graduate will be able to:

    1. Prepare a set of books to trial balance (by the end of the first year).

    2. Apply computer based technology, including an accounting package (pastel has been taught) to prepare a trial balance and annual financial statements.

    3. Understand the impact of management reports and cost accounting; Bank reconciliations and cash management skills will have been acquired.

    4. Prepare and submit vat forms from information generated in accounting records.

    5. Be conversant in business ethics and elements of corporate governance.

    6. Work independently or as a member of a team.

    7. Prepare budgets and variance analysis.

    Exit Level Outcomes for Instructional Offerings:

    Financial Accounting 1.1 and 1.2:

    The Learner must be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills related to:
  • Prepare books of prime entry.
  • Post journals.
  • Prepare and balance a general ledger.
  • Prepare a pre adjustment trial balance.
  • Prepare a cash book and perform a bank reconciliation.
  • Be able to reconcile individual debtors and creditors to a control account.

    Business Calculations I:

    The Learner must be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills related to:
  • Ratios and fraction manipulation.
  • Proportions, percentages and algebraic functions.
  • Discounts and vat calculations.

    Communication 1(Language):

    The Learner must be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills related to and be able to use English effectively in:
  • The presentation of business correspondence.
  • Communicating in a business environment.

    Cost accounting 1:

    The Learner must be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills in:
  • Utilizing different costing systems and methods.
  • Using discount factors and unit costs to assist decision making.

    Commercial Law for Accountants 1 and 2:
  • Understand offer and acceptance.
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of company law and legal identity.
  • Ensure students are able to understand insolvency.
  • Develop an understanding of ethics and responsibility through an appreciation of statute and professional conduct.

    Business Information Systems 1.1 and 1.2:
  • Operate hardware adequately.
  • Utilize software programs to send and receive communication.
  • Demonstrate skills using a spreadsheet, word processing and database management package.
  • Draft a set of financial statements to trial balance using pastel.

    Financial Accounting 2.1 and 2.2:

    The Learner must be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills related to:
  • Preparation of partnership accounts.
  • Understand deferred taxation.
  • Prepare a basic set of annual financial statements utilizing essential elements of IFRS.
  • Demonstrate an ability to consolidate a basic group.

    Cost accounting 2.1 and 2.2:
  • Show an understanding of financial management and costing tools.
  • Utilize the time value of money in the decision making process.
  • Prepare various reports using different forms of costing systems.
  • Make decisions using the principles embodied in cost volume profit techniques.
  • Utilize budgeting skills to develop variance analysis reports.

    Auditing 2.1 and 2.2:
  • Show an understanding of professional conduct and corporate governance.
  • Recognize the importance of statute including the companies act and the close corporations act.
  • Have an appreciation of the audit process.

    Taxation:
  • Demonstrate an ability to calculate vat from information given.
  • Prepare a basic tax return for an enterprise. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    A range of formative and summative assessments will be used that in the main will recreate problems encountered when employed. Assessments will simulate the working environment as realistically as possible. Assessors will use various methods including but not limited to:
  • Written reports, verbal presentations, portfolios, projects, practical exercises and demonstrations, observation, simulations, role plays, case studies, oral questioning and/or interviewing and peer assessment in their attempts to ensure that information is presented logically and effectively.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative and summative assessment practices will be implemented.

    Formative assessment will be mainly by formal and informal class tests, module or semester tests (where applicable).

    Summative assessment practices will be implemented throughout the duration of the module to assess the achievement of outcomes. Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by written examinations, practical examinations, project evaluations.

    As a guide the following type of assessment methods will be used:

    Assessment method; Percentage:
  • Term tests; 30.
  • Final exam; 60.
  • Class project, task, assignment etc; 10. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    These kinds of programs are common throughout the world. Not all are offered at tertiary institutions and many are controlled by professional societies. South Africa needs this qualification as much as any other developing or developed nation. Professional societies overseas tend to have tiered membership levels (e.g. ACCA) and although attempted in South Africa (e.g. Accounting technicians and the AGA in SAICA) this has not been popular. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This two year certificate, will over a further two years, offer articulation options with a Bachelor of Commece ( Accounting ) degree by allowing aces into the second year of the degree program.

    No formal agreements exist with other tertiary institutions however it is submitted that as the modules, in the main, have the same titles and comparable curricula to Unisa and the two Kwa Zulu Natal institutions that the credits will be portable. This synergy will allow students leaving the area to continue studies without being penalized. It is submitted that national portability in terms of the NQF will not prejudice students unnecessarily.

    The only difference between this and other NationalHigher Certificates is that each module carries 16 credits as opposed to the ten at other institutions. This is because contact hours will be increased to include extra tutorials and so the program fits in with the institutions norm of four subjects per semester compared to five in other National Higher Certificate programs. This necessitated the removal of the economics modules at first year Level as well as a module each of Entrepreneurial skills and Business Information Systems. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation will be internal with external moderation of the entire program not individual components thereof.

    The external moderator with at least 3 years of relevant experience will be appointed from another tertiary institution or from industry. The minimum formal qualification for an external moderator will be at or above the highest level of learning (on NQF Level). The principle of regional collaboration will be adhered to where possible.

    The following appointment procedures will be adhered to:
  • A formal request will be made, by the Head of Department or programme leader in which the module leader is located, in writing, to the person selected as a possible external moderator.
  • This request should be accepted in writing by the external moderator.
  • A letter stating the department expectations in relation to the work required of the external moderator, will be sent to the external moderator prior to the assessment.
  • In the case of this programme the appointment will be made for a period of not exceeding three years, a point which will be made explicit to the person being appointed.
  • The external moderator must make at least one site-visit to the department in the three-year period of appointment.

    During the site visit, the focus of the external moderator should report on the following, using any previous external assessments as the starting point:
  • Learning programme: The extent to which it will facilitate the students achieving the outcomes of the programme being assessed.
  • Learning guides: In terms of the way in which they support the learner is achieving the outcomes being assessed.
  • Resources for teaching which impact on the assessment practices: Including available equipment and venues which might impact on the assessment practices.
  • Assessment procedures: Including the compliance with the institutional assessment policy; the extent to which the assessment is valid of assessing the outcomes of the programme the variety of assessment methods and general fairness of the assessment.
  • Quality of educational offerings as evidenced in the assessment.
  • Administration of assessment practice.

    Feedback from external assessment.

    In keeping with the process of assessment, the external moderator's report should be made available to all concerned with the teaching and learning process of the module under scrutiny, with the opportunity to comment. The report will be made available to other staff who support the teaching and learning in the programme. Reports by both the external moderator and teaching staff should be complied by faculties accepted at faculty boards and presented annually to Senate for consideration, at a dedicated Senate meeting.

    Documents to be made available to the external moderator:
  • Previous external moderator's reports.
  • Departmental self evaluation of assessment practice.
  • Recent student feedback.
  • Learner guides.
  • Sample of reference material.
  • Course outlines.
  • Outcomes of module/programme.
  • Representative sample of student assessments. 
    		•

    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 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    National Comparability:

    A National Higher Certificate is one of the core offerings of the majority of tertiary institutions in the country. We have visited those old "technikon "institutions in Durban and will offer a similar program to them. Our certificate will also be of two years duration. In addition, as with the articulation to Bachelor of Technology the National Higher Certificate will allow a student to apply for entry into our Bachelor of Commece in Accounting or into other commercial programs (at NQF Level 6).

    Institution; Web Address; Learning Offerings:
  • Durban University of Technology; http://www.dut.ac.za; National Higher certificate in Accounting.
  • Tshwane University of Technology; http://www.tut.ac.za; Higher certificate in Accounting.
  • Mangosutu Technicon; http://www.mantech.ac.za; Higher certificate in Accounting.
  • Unisa; http://www.ukzn.ac.za; Higher certificate in Accounting. 
    		•

    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 Zululand 


    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.