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: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Financial Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84926  Postgraduate Diploma: Financial Accounting 
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
Postgraduate Diploma  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  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to enable qualifying learners to understand and perform specialised and work related financial accounting functions. The competencies captured in this qualification will allow the learner to identify and analyse contemporary developments in the areas of:
  • Financial accounting.
  • Corporate financial reporting.
  • Financial strategy.
  • Taxation.

    The learner will also master learning related to ethics, communication and social responsibilities which are inherent in the learning modules. Further, the learning occurring during this qualification will empower the learner to function in both the private and public sectors.

    The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Analysing advanced financial accounting theories, principles and practices.
  • Applying advanced corporate financial reporting theories, principles and practices.
  • Analysing financial strategy theories, principles and practices.
  • Analysing complex taxation principles and practices.

    Rationale:

    This qualification meets the needs of the sector by providing financial accountants with access to further specialisation and workplace related learning in financial accounting practices and procedures. It is a combination of learning outcomes which have the defined purpose of capacitating the learner with workplace-applicable competencies.

    The leaner attempting this qualification will have typically completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at NQF Level 7, but not necessarily have completed the workplace learning or assessment to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. This qualification will allow the learner access to further learning at NQF Level 9 in the form of a Master's Degree. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The knowledge, skills and cognitive ability demonstrated in a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Care will be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the Recognition of Prior Learning option towards gaining a qualification.

    Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the admission requirements.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Learners registering for this qualification should already have achieved a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in accounting, or an equivalent qualification. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    To be awarded this qualification learners are to complete the following compulsory learning modules at NQF Level 8, which have a value of 24 credits each:
  • Advanced Financial Accounting I.
  • Advanced Financial Accounting II.
  • Advanced Corporate Financial Reporting.
  • Financial Strategy.
  • Advanced Taxation. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse advanced financial accounting theories, principles and practices.

    2. Apply advanced corporate financial reporting theories, principles and practices.

    3. Analyse financial strategy, theories, principles and practices.

    4. Analyse complex taxation principles and practices.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The nature of integrated financial accounting is analysed within both a private and public finance environment.
  • Advanced financial accounting theories and practices are analysed in order to determine their applicability within a specific context.
  • Ethical financial accounting theories and practices are analysed within a corporate governance environment.
  • Appropriate solutions to advanced accounting financial problems are developed for a specific field.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The relevant and appropriate sources of financial information are collated for reporting purposes.
  • Financial records and statements are analysed using the relevant corporate financial reporting theories, principles and practices.
  • Appropriate responses to resolve inconsistencies, irregularities and/or non-adherence are determined for inclusion in a report.
  • The appropriate medium and language is used to effectively convey the findings in a financial report.
  • An understanding of the need to act professionally and ethically during reporting procedures and processes is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • International and national trends are analysed in order to determine their impact on the organisation.
  • Business and commerce strategies are analysed to see if they meet organisational objectives.
  • Advanced management theories and principles are analysed within both a private and public management environment.
  • Strategic accounting activities are planned and implemented using advanced judgemental processes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • International and national tax provisions are analysed against national, social and demographic needs.
  • Laws and procedures relating to tax levies are analysed to determine their effectiveness.
  • Tax practices are analysed to determine adherence to compliance requirements.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative Assessment:

    Integrated assessment will be applied extensively across the modules of learning to ensure the integrated achievement of the Exit Level Outcomes.

    Formative assessment will be applied continually throughout the learning pathway of the individual learning outcomes and/or modules.

    Summative assessment will be applied to ensure the achievement of each learning outcome and/or module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Unisa forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated and recognised accordingly. For example, Unisa's qualifications are included in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities'
    Yearbook. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Post Graduate Diploma at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Master's Degree at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation is conducted internally through a system of examiners. All exit level modules have, in addition, an external examiner from another higher education institution. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Unisa lecturers act as assessor-practitioners to carry out the assessment of learners for the core modules that make up this qualification. The following criteria are specified for assessors concerning the core aspects of the qualification.

    Assessors:
  • Are competent in the planning and conducting of assessment of learning outcomes and in the design and development of assessment.
  • Have good experience in the subject matter of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Taxation.
  • Must have an Honours Bachelor of Commerce or equivalent Degree. 
    		•

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