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: 

Advanced Certificate in Commerce 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88162  Advanced Certificate in Commerce 
ORIGINATOR
Richfield Graduate Institute Of Technology (Pty) Ltd. (previously known as PC Training And Business College (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
Advanced 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  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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 Advanced Certificate: Commerce is an industry-oriented qualification. This qualification recognises the broad base of technical business/commerce competencies required for people who are in business management/ownership related roles, people aspiring to grow in the industry and people wishing to extend their business management skills. This qualification will assist learners to gain the skills, knowledge and competence to undertake a broad range of business management activities and carry out a mix of specialised operations including organisational processes and human resource needs and utilisation. This qualification will also assist learners who are already or wish to become owner-managers, or those responsible for the keeping of the financial records, of a small business.

On achieving this qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Describe the business environment and how it functions.
  • Explain and interpret the legal environment for sound business practices.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the allocation of scarce resources, policy decisions and their implications for society.
  • Describe the concepts and principles of human resource policies and practices.
  • Describe and illustrate the concepts and principles of business computing in relation to business management.
  • Select and apply standard business statistical methods, procedures and techniques for business.

    The qualification not only consists of knowledge and skills required to equip the learner to perform the function of managing small businesses professionally and with insight, but contains building blocks of skills and knowledge that can be developed in further Qualifications. The intention is to:
  • Promote the development of knowledge, skills and values that are required in the commercial and business environments.
  • Release the potential of people, in order for them to grow and develop.
  • Provide opportunities for people to move up in their careers by being more valuable to their organisation, the economy and themselves.

    Rationale:

    In a recent Budget Speech, the South African Finance Minister referred to opportunities arising from the Budget which have implications for the Business Community. He said that the Government is focussing on spending R150 billion on job creation and skills development over a period. Most of these jobs are to be created by small businesses and he indicated that 450 000 new businesses will have to be created in order to realise this. In response to this statement, this qualification has been developed in the Business, Commerce and Management discipline to equip learners with skills and knowledge that will assist them in finding employment opportunities or alternatively, with running their own small businesses. This demand has been coupled with the statistics of the National Scarce Skills list for South Africa, published by the Department of Labour.

    The Advanced Certificate: Commerce has been formulated to incorporate the creation of jobs and thus reflects the workplace needs of the Business environment as expressed by its stakeholders. The stakeholder input has been used to ensure that the qualification provides the learner with the prerequisites for achieving success in the business environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who register for this qualification at NQF Level 6 are assumed to:
  • Have a foundational knowledge and understanding of Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
  • Be competent in the language of instruction (English) at NQF Level 4.

    Access to the Qualification:

    The admission requirements for this qualification are:
  • National Senior Certificate with appropriate subject combinations and levels of achievement.
    OR
  • Senior Certificate (Issued prior to 2008).
    OR
  • National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4.
    OR
  • Higher Certificate or an Advanced Certificate in a cognate discipline.

    Learners who do not meet the minimum admission requirements can apply for admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The Advanced Certificate: Commerce can be achieved in part or wholly through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The PC Training and Business College policies will guide this process.

    Recognition of Prior Learning may:
  • Grant learners access to the qualification who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
  • Grant learners credits or exemptions for subjects already passed.
  • Grant learners credits towards modules for skills, knowledge and experience acquired through informal and non-formal learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises 12 compulsory modules, each worth 10 credits, at NQF Level 6, totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Advanced Business Management 1.
  • Economics 1.
  • Business Law 1.
  • Business Computing 1.
  • Human Resources.
  • Business Statistics 1.
  • Advanced Business Management 2.
  • Economics 2.
  • Business Law 2.
  • Business Computing 2.
  • Human Resource Management.
  • Work Integrated Learning. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Describe the business environment and how it functions.
  • Range: The business environment includes but is not limited to: Business concepts, terms, rules and principles, business management, the management processes and management functions.

    2. Explain and interpret the legal environment for sound business practices.

    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the allocation of scarce resources and policy decisions and their implications for society in terms of both macroeconomic and microeconomic environments.

    4. Discuss or explain the concepts and principles of human resource policies and practices.
  • Range of Human Resource policies and practices include, but are not limited to: Training and development, staff selection, staff retention, labour relations and new employee induction.

    5. Discuss the concepts and principles of business computing in relation to business management.

    6. Select and apply standard business statistic methods, procedures and techniques for a business.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Describe how business performance is related to strategic management.
  • Identify issues related to managerial tasks and skills.
  • Differentiate between entrepreneurial approaches and business management.
  • Develop a basic business plan for a small to medium enterprise.
  • Describe the marketing process and marketing instruments.
    > Range of marketing instruments, includes but is not limited to: Product, price, place, distribution and marketing communication.
  • Describe financial management concepts and principles relating to financial analysis, investment decisions and financing decisions.
  • Describe the management of the operations of a business by using sound operational activities, techniques and methods to optimise the transformation of inputs into outputs.
  • Describe how the planning, organising and controlling of the purchasing and control functions achieves the objectives of the business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explain contracts in general, which are applicable to the business environment.
  • Range of contracts includes but is not limited to: Sale and credit agreements, employment contracts, insurance and risk, service level agreements and business contracts.
  • Explain the characteristics and requirements of the various forms of businesses.
    > Range: Forms of business may include but are not limited to Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Close Cooperation and Company.
  • Explain and discuss legal requirements for operating a business in terms of financial and operational prescripts.
    > Range of financial and operational prescripts includes but is not limited to: Direct and indirect taxes, pension and annuity, granting an application for voluntary surrender, insolvency, sequestration and rehabilitation, negotiable instruments and lien.
  • Discuss and explain the legal implications of a business entity.
    > Range of legal implications includes but is not limited to: Defamation and the defendant for such a claim, copyright, breach of copyright on the internet, the Competitions Act, the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explain the definitions, concepts and principles of micro-economics and macro-economics.
  • Describe and critically analyse the economic problems of scarcity, choice, opportunity cost and prioritising.
  • Explain the concepts of demand, supply and prices and analyse the effect of demand, supply and income elasticity.
  • Define the concepts of production and cost and critically analyse the output, production and costing principles of a representative firm.
  • Explain and discuss the functioning of the labour market and the role of trades union.
  • Discuss the use of money in the economy and analyse its implications for policy and growth.
  • Recognise the economic role of the public sector on the economy and analyse the impact thereof.
  • Differentiate between models of income determination.
    > Range of models of income determination includes but is not limited to: Keynesian Model, Malthusian Model and Classical Model.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Discuss how the effective strategic management of human resources leads to the strategic goal achievement of the organisation.
  • Identify the process involved in the effective attraction, selection and retention of employees.
  • Discuss the role of positive and equitable labour relations in ensuring long-term organisational success.
  • Explain the latest trends and developments in human resource management.
  • Describe the recruitment process.
  • Discuss the selection process.
  • Explain the new employee induction process.
  • Explain the training and development process and its importance.
  • Explain how human resources can be motivated and managed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Discuss Business Information Systems.
  • Explain computer systems terminology, hardware, software and the internet.
  • Discuss the processes of decision making and problem solving.
  • Identify key control and management issues associated with transaction processing systems.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with the implementation of an enterprise resource planning system.
  • Discuss information systems in the functional areas of business organisations.
  • Identify factors that influence the success or failure of a systems development project.
  • Discuss the importance of systems and software maintenance and include the activities involved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Explain the language of statistics and the role of computers in statistics.
  • Distinguish between primary and secondary data sources.
  • Describe the difference between grouped and ungrouped data.
  • Compute mean, median and mode for both grouped and ungrouped data.
  • Compute measures of relative standing.
  • Calculate simple index numbers.
  • Explain the purpose of time series analysis.
  • Explain and calculate probabilities using the rules of addition and multiplication.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated Assessment allows learners to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across modules in order to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the Advanced Certificate in Commerce.

    Integrated Assessment judges the quality of the observable performance together with the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision making that underpins the demonstrated performance.

    Some assessment practices will be of a more practical nature while others will be of a more theoretical nature.

    During integrated assessments the assessor will make use of formative and summative assessment methods and will assess combinations of practical, theoretical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

    Assessment methods include:
  • Time-constrained written examinations.
  • Coursework Evaluation.
  • Continuous Evaluation.
  • Practical Evaluation.

    These methods are usually used in combination.

    The Integrated Assessment enables learners to display capabilities in integrating practical performance, concepts and theory. Work Integrated Learning assessment also provides for Integrated Assessment of the various disciplines that compose the curriculum of the Advanced Certificate in Commerce. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Advanced Certificate in Commerce has been compared to similar qualifications offered in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Those selected were:

    Thompson Rivers University, Canada:

    Qualification: Advanced Certificate in Management.

    Core Courses:
  • Open Thinking.
  • Analytical Decision Making.
  • Transition and New Beginnings.
  • Open Communication.
  • Contemporary Leadership.

    Alternate Courses (Choose a minimum of 2):
  • Marketing for Managers.
  • Strategic Human Resource Management.
  • Leading Projects to Success.
  • Effective Leadership.

    The Advanced Certificate in Commerce compares fairly well with this qualification. However the South African qualification offers more in terms of Information Technology and Statistics. The two qualifications do however compare well in terms of competencies related to Management, Leadership and Human Resources.

    Curtin University, Australia:

    Qualification: Foundation Certificate of Commerce.

    Compulsory Units:
  • Accounting.
  • Communications.
  • Economics.
  • Mathematics.
  • Statistics.
  • Introduction to Computing.
  • Management.
  • Marketing.

    Optional Units:
  • Legal Studies.
  • Mass Communication 1.
  • Mass Communication 2.
  • Introduction to Systems Analysis.
  • Information Design.
  • Programming.

    The Foundation Certificate of Commerce offered by Curtin University, Australia compares well with this Advanced Certificate. The subjects (units) offered are very similar and cover similar competencies.

    Lincoln University, New Zealand:

    Qualification: Certificate in Commerce.

    Courses:
  • Learning Styles.
  • Financial Information for Business.
  • Introduction to Management.
  • Introduction to the Commercial Environment.
  • Introduction to Applied Economics.
  • Introduction to the Legal Environment of Business.
  • Principles of Marketing.
  • Statistics.

    Lincoln University's Certificate in Commerce and this Advanced Certificate in Commerce are comparable in terms of the subjects offered in both. If anything, the South African qualification's content is pitched at a slightly higher level.

    In general, this Advanced Certificate compares well with its international counterparts in terms of scope, level and contents. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma: Business Administration, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Both internal and external moderation of assessments will be made at exit points of the qualification.
  • Moderation of assessment can be institutional and work based.
  • External moderation will be undertaken as required, according to institutional policy. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor for this Qualification, the applicant should:
  • Hold a relevant qualification at least on NQF Level 7.
  • Have experience in Business Management. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. Richfield Graduate Institute Of Technology (Pty) Ltd. (previously known as PC Training And Business College (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.