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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Management Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88893  Postgraduate Diploma: Management 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 the Postgraduate Diploma: Management Accounting is to prepare candidates for their role as management accountants in the workplace. The qualification will equip learners with insight into the world of financial management, both from a corporate and individual perspective, with an emphasis on improving decision-making in a competitive environment. Learners will utilise the financial information in managerial decision-making.

This qualification will be instrumental in assisting learners to:
  • Apply this knowledge to advanced and complex case studies and exercise a number of choices with regard to the appropriate technology or systems for the given situation.
  • Critically analyse theories, examples and case studies.
  • Acquire a level of mastery to deal with unfamiliar concrete and abstract problems.
  • Justify their recommendations in complex business decision-making situations.
  • Introduce learners to different risks with regard to financial information management, to be stimulated to develop control procedures to eliminate these risks.

    Rationale:
    The Postgraduate Diploma: Management Accounting is intended to facilitate admission for learners to the strategic level examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to eventually qualify as chartered management accountants.

    In every sector, whether government, organisation or business, there is a need for individuals to conduct audits, inspect financial records and prepare financial and tax reports. These duties are performed by an accountant. An accountant analyses the financial position of a business through its sales, purchases, and overheads and then assists in making decisions about resource allocation within that particular sector. The unpredictable economy, both locally and globally, needs accountants with advanced knowledge and understanding to assist individual, government and other institutions on how to respond. The qualification aims to equip learners with knowledge and understanding of various accounting and financial management strategies relevant to the environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that students have the following knowledge and understanding:
  • Reading and comprehension skills to enable them to read questions and case studies, comprehend the content thereof, and follow a logical thought process.
  • Data processing and accounting information systems.
  • Accounting concepts, principles and procedures.
  • Accounting reporting procedures.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    All admissions through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down by the Unisa RPL Policy.

    Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including previous local and/or international qualifications achieved, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

    The School of Accounting Sciences RPL is accessed through an examination based on the relevant courses.

    Access to the Qualification:
    A learner will be allowed to register for the qualification if he/she possesses a qualification at NQF Level 7 with the following modules:
  • Management Accounting lll.
  • Financial Accounting lll.
  • Business Management.
    Or
  • Strategic Management. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of 5 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, worth 24 Credits each, giving a total of 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Enterprise Strategy.
  • Management Accounting Strategy.
  • Financial Strategy.
  • Information Strategy.
  • Performance Strategy. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop strategy in a context, indicating how the organisation's external environment and stakeholders affect this process.
    2. Apply relevant management accounting principles and techniques in various enterprises.
    3. Advise management on the financial implications of various potential financing options considered by an enterprise, inclusive of dividend policy decisions.
    4. Manage information resources, including data and technology, in compliance with technical and operational requirements, to meet user needs.
    5. Participate in developing sound control systems and explain to management the aspects of controls that influence the business structure, culture and human resources.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The knowledge and skills used in designing and implementing strategy are developed.
  • Sound theoretical judgements in choosing the right tools and techniques associated with change management are implemented.
  • The success of the accounting management strategic process as an input for future decisions is evaluated.
  • Tools to assist in the evaluation of the performance implications of a given strategy are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Control mechanisms in organisations on standard costing and variance analysis are understood and applied.
  • The impact of relevant costs and limiting factors on pricing and product decisions are accounted for.
  • Budgets for the purpose of performance evaluation and control are interpreted and prepared.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Participation in developing sound financial strategies for the enterprise is actively undertaken.
  • Financial implications of various potential investment decisions are considered and appropriate investment evaluation techniques are applied.
  • Financial information to support the management activities of planning and decision making within an enterprise are prepared.
  • Management is advised on the setting of appropriate financial objectives, and the attainment of such objectives is evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Financial information systems are developed and implemented.
  • Financial information to support the management activities of planning and decision making are utilised.
  • Financial information systems and services are monitored and controlled.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The main risks organisations face, including financial, strategic, business and operational risks are understood and managed.
  • Financial and international risks are evaluated and discussed and management is advised on the impact of strategic decision making.
  • The role of the internal audit, main types of audit, audit procedures and the main stages of the audit process are discussed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment is carried out on submitted written assignments. These assignments are of the same standard as the exam and serve as a good barometer of the learner's progress.

    Summative Assessment:
    Learners write three-hour examinations in each of the five modules at the end of the academic year as summative assessment. Supplementary examinations at the end of the year are available for learners who obtain less than the required achievement of the final examination mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Department of Accountancy and Finance at the Birmingham City University offers a 1 year fulltime Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy and Finance (CIMA Pathway). The qualification focuses on the critical understanding of the strategic financial management decisions of national and multinational companies, and explores complex group structures and the application of existing and proposed accounting standards against a background of rapid development and change.
    Modules:
  • Modern Theory of Finance (MTF).
  • Business Management Strategy (BMS).
  • Corporate Governance and Operations Risk Control (CG and ORC).

    The Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting. The qualification comprises the following modules:
  • Financial accounting.
  • Management Accounting for Business.
  • Taxation in New Zealand.
  • Accounting Information System.
  • Economics for Business.
  • Business Law.
  • Law of Business organisation.
  • Managing organisation and people.

    Conclusion:
    The institutions offer similar Postgraduate qualifications that focus on finance and management. The qualification objectives are to prepare learners to be able to sit for CIMA's admission examinations. The Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting compares favourably with these international qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any Bachelor's Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with a relevant coursework Master's Degree at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The examination in all courses is subject to internal moderation by colleagues, as well as external moderation by peers in the sector. Second examiners act as moderators for examination purposes. These are senior academics. For all Postgraduate Degrees, senior academics from other universities act as moderators. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must:
  • Have a relevant Higher Education qualification that is one level above the modules being assessed.
  • Be an experienced tutor with at least two years' experience in the particular module. 
    		•

    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. 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.