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: Financial Information Systems 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90543  Diploma: Financial Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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  368  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:
This qualification is to provide technically focused education that equips the qualifying learner with the technical knowledge, proficiency and skills which will enable the personal development of the learner. This Diploma aims to provide Accountancy and Information Technology specific knowledge and skills to ensure competence in performing reporting functions and delivering commercial programming services and to convert this embedded knowledge practically using an accounting package.

Rationale:
This qualification is to try and improve the competencies of the learner in Financial Information Systems. The qualification is to aid the learner to understand the world of work and thereby have a better chance of being employed. There is a great demand for learners with Accountancy and Information Technology skills in the labour market and the qualifying learner could work as an Accounting Systems Analyst or an Accounting Technician. This Diploma is therefore designed to address the need for Accounting Systems Analysts and Accounting Technicians, in the South African labour market. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learners are assumed to be competent in Mathematics and Accounting at NQF Level 4 and able to communicate and write in English (NQF Level 4).

Recognition of Prior Learning:
The learners who do not meet the minimum requirements may gain access to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established.

Access to the Qualification:
The access to this qualification is granted to all applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or the alternative routes of entry. Applicants who are in possession of:
  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Diploma studies with:
    > Accounting at NQF Level 4.
    > Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • A Diploma with Commercial Accounting at NQF Level 7.
  • Non-standard admission through Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 120 Credits at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 128 Credits at NQF Level 7.

    Compulsory modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Cost and Financial Management 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Cost and Financial Management 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Software Skills 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Software Skills 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Information Systems 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Information Systems 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Business Law 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Business Law 1B, 12 Credits.

    Total Credits at NQF Level 5 - 120.

    Compulsory modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Active Citizenship, 12 Credits.
  • Auditing and Internal Control 2A, 12 Credits.
  • Auditing and Internal Control 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Business Communication, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Information Systems 2A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Information Systems 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Cost and Financial Management 2A, 12 Credits.
  • Cost and Financial Management 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 2A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 2B, 12 Credits.

    Total Credits at NQF Level 6 - 120.

    Compulsory modules at NQF Level 7:
  • Financial Accounting 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 3B, 16 Credits.
  • Financial Information Systems 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Financial Information Systems 3B, 16 Credits.

    Total Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7 - 64.

    Electives Modules (choose any four) at NQF Level 7:
  • Auditing and Internal Control 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Auditing and Internal Control 3B, 16 Credits.
  • Cost and Financial Management 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Cost and Financial Management 3B, 16 Credits.
  • Taxation 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Taxation 3B, 16 Credits 16.

    Total Elective Modules at NQF Level 7- 64. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Prepare and interpret financial statements of companies and groups of companies in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including the valuation of interests represented by these statements.
    2. Record the accounting implications of changes within company structure and investments.
    3. Analyse, design and implement a software system as a member of a team.
    4. Demonstrate understanding of the components, steps, functions and techniques of project management.
    5. Apply the principles of technologies needed to implement software systems in a database environment.
    6. Audit manual and computerised business cycles.
    7. Determine and apply various techniques whereby timeous and accurate information could be made available for decision-making and control.
    8. Determine the tax liability of individuals, assist in determining the tax liability of other legal entities and prepare submissions to the South African Revenue Services.

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

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Financial statements and consolidated financial statements, illustrating disclosure requirements in respect of accounting policy, leases, instalments and earnings per share, are prepared.
  • Ratios are calculated, compared and interpreted.
  • The value of business interests is correctly determined.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Accounting entries and balance sheets reflecting the effect of liquidations, amalgamations and reconstructions are prepared.
  • Investment transactions are recorded.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A business solution is analysed and designed as required by the outcome.
  • An integrated software system is implemented by a team of which the learner is a member.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Project management principles and techniques are correctly explained in terms of problems and case studies.
  • Project management principles are correctly applied, with emphasis on teamwork issues, in the development of a software system.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Software solutions are designed and translated into computer programmes that, within a given deadline, produce correct results by using acceptable programming principles.
  • A software solution is correctly implemented, applying good user interface principles.
  • Software solutions are implemented by interfacing with the database management system.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • An audit programme is drafted in terms of current practice and the required tests are correctly performed.
  • The audit evidence is validly documented.
  • An internal audit report is correctly drafted in accordance with professional standards.
  • Statistical sampling is correctly applied to the selection process.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Budgets are correctly prepared.
  • Variances are correctly calculated and interpreted.
  • Marketing expenses are analysed and ways discussed whereby these could be controlled.
  • Quantitative techniques are correctly devised for and applied to management decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • The tax liabilities of different legal entities are determined.
  • Annual tax returns are prepared.
  • Provisional tax returns are prepared.
  • The tax liability of the employer is determined.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification will use both formative and summative assessment to assess the competencies of the learners. This integrated assessment will be in the form of tests, an assignment and an examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with the following international qualifications in terms of the module competencies the learner is to master.

    The Johns Hopkins University offers a Graduate Certificate in Financial Management which offers the following:
  • Accounting and Financial Reporting.
  • Finance and Capital Markets.
  • Investments.
  • Mergers and Acquisitions.
  • Corporate Governance.

    The UJ Diploma is comparable to the Financial and Accounting components within the John Hopkins Graduate Certificate.

    The Swinburne University of Technology in Australia has a Diploma in Accounting which comprises:
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Budgeting.
  • Auditing.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Financial Forecasting.
  • Taxation.
  • Project Management.

    To build the skills of the learner this qualification proposes to use dynamic business tools such as spreadsheets and computerised accounting software in order to have accounting jobs with duties such as:
  • Introducing and maintaining accounting systems.
  • Maintaining internal control systems.
  • Preparing financial statements for a non-reporting entity.
  • Preparing tax returns.
  • Reporting on business performance.
  • Managing small teams.
  • Developing business plans.
  • Preparing accounting reports for management.

    Conclusion:
    The above mentioned qualifications deal with the financial, accounting and software content which is in this qualification. This qualification also has a legal (Business Law), communication (Business Communication) and sociological (Active Citizenship) component to the module content thereby offering the qualifying learner a broader perspective than merely finance and accounting. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications at NQF Level 6:
  • A Diploma: Accounting.
  • A Diploma: Finance.
  • A Diploma: Credit Management.
  • A Diploma: Banking.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with with the following qualifications at NQF Level 7:
  • An Advanced Diploma: Accounting.
  • An Advanced Diploma: Commercial Accounting.
  • An Advanced Diploma: Finance. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All assessment opportunities will be internally and externally moderated. The external moderator will not be affiliated to the University and must at least have a relevant Honours Degree or an equivalent qualification. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must have:
  • A qualification in the related field which is at NQF Level 8 or above.
  • At least 5 years' lecturing experience in the field. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces qualification 74088, "National Diploma: Financial Information Systems", Level 6, 360 credits. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Johannesburg 


    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.