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: 

Diploma: Accountancy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88867  Diploma: Accountancy 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  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   2033-06-30  

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 qualification is designed to equip learners with the essential knowledge and specific skills required to proficiently deliver accounting related services and act as accountants. The qualification will enhance learners' opportunities to attain employment within the accounting profession or for further learning in this field.

A learner who successfully completes the qualification will:
  • Have a coherent and critical understanding of the accounting profession.
  • Demonstrate basic competency in the field of accountancy.

    The qualification aims to enable the learner to:
  • Apply basic accounting and auditing principles and processes.
  • Apply the basic principles of cost and management accounting.
  • Apply basic legal principles within the accountancy and/or corporate environment.
  • Use basic computer software.
  • Minimise tax liability through effective tax planning on behalf of various clients.
  • Apply relevant codes and legislation (Companies Act, Close Corporations Act, King Report on Corporate Governance).

    Rationale:
    This qualification is designed to:
  • Increase the supply of skilled accounting personnel.
  • Provide learners with a thorough grounding in the principles of accounting and auditing.
  • Equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to competently perform both manual and computerised accounting tasks.

    The qualification also seeks to:
  • Satisfy the national demand for public and private sector accountants.
  • Equip learners with management accounting skills and knowledge. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners who register for this qualification have:
  • Competency in Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
  • Competency in English (read, write and speak) at NQF Level 4.
  • Computer Literacy.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Learners who do not meet the entry requirements may gain admission through Recognition of Prior Learning. In addition, candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualifications and/or study completed. In all cases, recognition will be considered under the conditions of NMMU policies and approval by faculty structures.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Learners will require the following to enrol:
  • A National Senior Certificate with a pass in English and Mathematics at NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of 30 compulsory modules of 12 Credits each, worth 360 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Financial Accounting 1 - Accounting Fundamentals.
  • Cost and Management Accounting 1.
  • Communication 1 - Professional Business Communication.
  • Communication 1 - Professional Communication Practices.
  • Business Calculations 1.
  • Accountant in Business 1.
  • Economics 1 - Micro.
  • Economics 1 - Macro.
  • Business Information Systems 1 - Introductory Computing Concepts.
  • Commercial Law: Business Entities.

    Total credits at NQF Level 5 = 120.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Financial Accounting 1 - Accounting for business entities.
  • Financial Accounting 2 - Accounting for incomplete records, partnerships, branches and Close Corporations.
  • Computerised Accounting Applications 1.
  • Financial Accounting 2 - Accounting for companies.
  • Cost and Management Accounting 2 - Budgeting and integrated accounting systems.
  • Cost and Management Accounting 2 - Process, joint and marginal costing.
  • Commercial Law: General Principles of Contract.
  • Commercial Law: Specific Contracts.
  • Business Information Systems 1- Intermediate Computing Concepts.
  • Taxation 1 - Individuals.
  • Taxation 1 - Prepaid taxes, retirement benefits and farming.
  • Taxation 2 - Value added and Capital Gains Tax.
  • Taxation 2 - Companies.
  • Audit and Corporate Governance 1 (A).
  • Audit and Corporate Governance 1 (B).

    Total credits at NQF Level 6 = 180.

    Modules at NQF Level 7:
  • Financial Accounting 3.
  • Cost and Management Accounting 3 - Resource optimisation models.
  • Cost and Management Accounting 3 - Operations research techniques.
  • Audit and assurance 2 (A).
  • Audit and assurance 2 (B).

    Total credits at NQF Level 7= 60. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Explain and apply basic accounting and auditing principles.
    2. Implement and operate the basic principles of cost and management accounting.
    3. Acquire and apply basic legal principles within the accountancy and/or corporate environment.
    4. Use basic computer software.
    5. Calculate and minimise tax liability through effective tax planning on behalf of various stakeholders.
    6. Apply relevant codes and legislation (Companies Act, Close Corporations Act, King Report on Corporate Governance) in an accounting and/or auditing environment.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Prepare financial source documents correctly for data capturing.
  • Record the sorted documents in the relevant books of prime-entry.
  • Prepare financial statements for the different business entities and sectors according to statutory requirements.
  • Compile basic consolidated financial statements for companies.
  • Analyse and correctly valuate business interest.
  • Analyse and interpret financial statements.
  • Evaluate basic systems of internal control.
  • Apply basic auditing principles and procedures.

    Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Administer inventory systems.
  • Determine costs of manufactured products.
  • Operate basic costing systems.
  • Account for joint and by-products.
  • Compile accurate operating, financial and master budgets.
  • Apply quantitative techniques for investment appraisal.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply basic legal principles.
  • Apply legal principles in the right context.
  • Identify and interpret agreements.
  • Apply the principles of negotiable instruments.
  • Compare and discuss different forms of enterprises.
  • Interpret and apply legal principles pertaining to companies and close corporations in practical case studies.
  • Analyse, discuss and evaluate legal ways of starting own business.

    Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Write reports in the appropriate format using Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • Prepare a set of accounts using Pastel accounting.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Process taxation for individuals (including farmers), small businesses and companies ensuring that applicable values are used in the various categories.
  • Explain and apply value added taxation.
  • Explain and correctly apply capital gains tax.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The requirements of the Companies Act and Close Corporations Act are adhered to in the preparation of financial statements and audit reports.
  • The principles laid out in the King Report on Corporate Governance are interpreted and applied to practical case studies.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Regular assessments of generic skills of learners are carried out. The essence of the assessment is that of both formative and summative assessments, which will incorporate written assignments and class tests. Written assignments are directly linked to theory and will incorporate the theory and skills related to the Exit Level Outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of London in the United Kingdom offers a Diploma in Accounting. This qualification is aimed at individuals who wish to secure a stand-alone qualification in accounting. The modules include:
  • Principles of accounting
  • Financial management or corporate finance
  • Financial reporting
  • Management accounting
  • Auditing and assurance

    The Swinburne University of Technology in Australia offers a Diploma of Accounting that aims at developing basic practical skills in financial accounting, budgeting, auditing, management accounting and taxation. The Diploma consists of 17 modules, which are:
  • Four industry core modules (communication, use of technology, health and safety practices and principles of professional practice).
  • Five prerequisite modules common to Certificate III in Financial Services (bank receipts, journal entries, computerised accounting system, preparing financial reports and financial records).
  • Five sectoral core modules, (income tax returns, budgets and forecasts, financial reports, internal control procedures and management accounting information).
  • At least three authorised elective modules (prepare Financial Reports to meet statutory requirements, prepare financial forecasts and projections and develop complex spreadsheets).

    The Kaplan Higher Education Institute in Singapore offers a Professional Diploma in Accounting and Business Finance. The aim of the qualification is to extend the core knowledge and enhance professional skills in accounting and business finance. The Diploma consists of the following modules:
  • Financial Accounting Intensive.
  • Managerial Accounting and Statistics.
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis Intensive.
  • Introduction of Psychology and Ethical Decision Making.
  • PC Productivity Tools and Database Management.
  • Dynamics of Business Intensive.
  • Strategic Cost Analysis 1.

    There is a great deal of similarity between the modules and learning content of these qualifications and those of this Diploma in Accountancy. This implies that the Diploma in Accountancy is internationally comparable. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any similar qualification in Commerce or Accountancy at NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Accountancy, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Accountancy, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All final assessment instruments are presented to the external moderator for approval and verification. A percentage of all assessment evidences is presented for moderation and feedback, and adjustments as required, supervised by the respective qualification coordinator. Feedback from internal and external moderators informs teaching and learning interactions. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors and moderators must hold a qualification at least one level higher than the qualification being assessed or moderated. Moderators are also required to have more than two years teaching experience. Assessors with less than two years' experience have their assessment work moderated by a peer. 

    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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.