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 Accounting Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94703  Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences 
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
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 intended purpose of this qualification is to enable qualifying learners to:
  • Perform duties in the field of Accounting Sciences, for instance, general book-keeping, costing, auditing (including internal auditing) and tax calculations.
  • Understand basic management and business concepts.
  • Perform accounting calculations.
  • Use a computer for basic business purposes.
  • Articulate to Diploma or under certain conditions to Degree studies.

    Rationale:
    Candidates who are interested in the field of Accounting Sciences, either for career purposes, or otherwise, and who do not qualify for direct admission to the Bachelors' Degree qualifications, may enrol for the one-year Higher Certificate qualification and thereafter for a one-year Advanced Certificate qualification subject to fulfilment of the specified admission requirements for each qualification. Candidates who do not qualify for direct admission to the School's Diploma qualification may do so once they have successfully completed the Higher and Advanced Certificates. They may also eventually qualify for admission to Bachelors' Degree programmes.

    Even though candidates may qualify for direct admission to the School's Diploma qualification, they are strongly advised to consider first enrolling for the Higher Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences, because, not only do these certificates hone learners' skills in Arithmetic and Business Sciences, but they also expose them to the core disciplines of the Accounting Sciences, namely Financial Accounting; Management Accounting; Auditing and Taxation. This exposure will enable learners to make a more informed choice, either when deciding on a career or when considering further studies. The Advanced Certificate enables qualifying learners to exit with the ability to perform certain accounting-related functions at a higher level than is the case with the Higher Certificate. In addition, it has the advantage for those learners with a Bachelors' Degree who wish to further their studies, at postgraduate level, to be admitted to the Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences, a bridging qualification that serves as a gateway towards all the professional Postgraduate qualifications offered by the School of Accounting Sciences. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access: All admission via the RPL route must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the UNISA RPL Policy.

    RPL for credits: This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning. However, only 10% of the intake to this qualification may be through RPL.

    The UNISA RPL office can supply full details of processes related to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. UNISA lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for admission to this qualification is a Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences consists of seven compulsory modules and three electives, each worth 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Financial Accounting Reporting.
  • Principles of Management Accounting.
  • Principles of Strategy, Risk and Financial Management Techniques.
  • Legal Aspects in Accountancy.
  • Business Management.
  • Financial Accounting for Companies.
  • Selected Accounting Standards and Simple Group Structures.

    Elective Modules:
    Learners must select three of the following electives:
  • Principles of Taxation.
  • General Management.
  • Corporate Governance in Accountancy.
  • Auditing Theory and Practice.
  • Internal Auditing: Theory and Principles. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a fundamental, outline knowledge of each of the major disciples, namely, financial accounting, management accounting, taxation and auditing.
    2. Select and use a range of procedures and techniques to solve routine problems in a familiar environment.
    3. Gather information and analyse/synthesise data gathered from the work environment.
    4. Develop effective presentation skills.
    5. Present and communicate information coherently and reliably using the basic convention and formats of a professional discourse.
    6. Have the capacity to take responsibility for own learning within a supervised environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to modules and specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Auditing and taxation principles are understood and to a limited extent applied.
  • Elementary economic and management principles are understood.
  • Basic management accounting principles are applied.
  • An informed understanding of principles and theories that apply is obtained.
  • An understanding of the organisation or operating environment as a system within a wider context in relation to society is obtained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Auditing and taxation principles are understood and to a limited extent applied.
  • Elementary economic and management principles are understood.
  • Basic management accounting principles are applied.
  • An informed understanding of principles and theories that apply is obtained.
  • An understanding of the organisation or operating environment as a system within a wider context in relation to society is obtained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Financial transactions are classified and recorded.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Presentation skills using appropriate technologies are developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Financial information is communicated coherently (verbally and in writing) using reliable basic professional discourse.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Decisions about and responsibility for own actions are taken.
  • Own performance is evaluated against given criteria.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence.

    Formative assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback. The scheme of work includes a combination of written and multiple choice assignments based on the learning material which learners have to submit and for which they earn year marks. Learners are given feedback in the form of written comments in the assignments and suggested solutions and mark plans presented in a formal tutorial letter. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and a limited number of outcomes.

    Summative assessment:
    Examinations of a representative selection of outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Victoria University, Melbourne (Australia) offers the Certificate IV in Accounting:
    This nationally recognised qualification is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and experience to operate as a Bookkeeper or Accounts Clerk. This qualification also ensures that learners meet the academic eligibility requirements for registration as a Business Activity Statements (BAS) Agent with the Tax Practitioner's Board.

    The qualification provides learners with a working knowledge of the financial sector. It is designed to give them a "bigger picture" of the financial services sector and improve their value to the organisation. On completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Apply professional practices in finance.
  • Implement compliance procedures.
  • Prepare operational budgets.
  • Set up a computerised accounting system.
  • Maintain inventory records.

    Modules:
    This qualification comprises nine (9) compulsory and two (2) elective modules:

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Process Financial Transactions and Extract Interim Reports:
    This module involves the preparation and processing of routine financial documents, preparing journal entries, posting journals to ledgers, preparing, banking and reconciling financial receipts, and extracting a trial balance and interim reports.
  • Prepare Financial Reports:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to record general journal adjustment entries and to prepare end of period financial reports.
  • Design and Produce Business Documents:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design and produce various business documents and publications. It includes selecting and using a range of functions on a variety of computer applications.
  • Participate in OHS Processes:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in workplace Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) processes to protect workers own health and safety, and that of others.
  • Make Decisions in a Legal Context:
    This module depicts the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to make decisions in a legal context. It is intended to satisfy the requirement for a course of study in commercial law at an introductory or foundation level covering Australian legal systems and processes.
  • Prepare Financial Statements for Non-reporting Entities:
    This module explains the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop a range of commonly required financial reports for entities that do not have a statutory duty to file financial reports with government agencies and regulators.
  • Set Up and Operate a Computerised Accounting System:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to modify and operate an integrated computerised accounting system.
  • Carry Out Business Activity and Instalment Activity Statement Tasks:
    This module details the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to process business taxation requirements related to Business Activity Statements (BAS) and Instalment Activity Statements (IAS), including the completion of Activity Statements.
  • Apply Principles of Professional Practice to Work in the Financial Services Industry:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify industry professional approaches to procedures, guidelines, policies and standards, including ethical requirements and model and meet expectations of these in all aspects of work.

    Elective Modules:
    Learners must choose any two of the following:
  • Establish and Maintain a Cash Accounting System:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish and manage organisational procedures in arranging for and administering receipts and payments to establish and maintain a manual and computerised bookkeeping system on a cash basis.
  • Establish and Maintain an Accrual Accounting System:
    This module illustrates the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish debtors and creditors, bad debt and contra entries, perform reconciliations, review compliance terms and conditions, plan a recovery action and prepares reports to set up and maintain a manual and computerised accrual accounting system.
  • Administer Subsidiary Accounts and Ledgers:
    This module expresses the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to reconcile and monitor financial accounts receivable systems, identify bad and doubtful debts and plan a recovery action and remit payments to sundry creditors.
  • Establish and Maintain a Payroll System:
    This module describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to record and prepare payroll documentation, deal with enquiries in regard to payroll, and process payroll from provided data in manual or computerised payroll systems.

    Tanzania Institute of Accountancy offers a Diploma in Accountancy:
    The qualification is intended for persons who will perform operational accounting duties including the preparation of financial statements, simple payroll, and budget, perform bank reconciliation and use accounting computer packages to perform accounting tasks.

    This one-year National Technical Award (NTA) Level 5 qualification consists of core and fundamental modules.

    Modules:
    Core Modules:
  • Bookkeeping and Accounts, 10 Credits.
  • Principles of Accounts, 10 Credits.
  • Principles of Government and Cooperative Accounting, 10 Credits.
  • Elements of Auditing, 10 Credits.

    Fundamental Modules:
  • Business Mathematics and Statistics, 10 Credits.
  • Commercial Knowledge, 10 Credits.
  • Elements of Costing and Procurement and Supply, 10 Credits.
  • Principles of Economics, 10 Credits.
  • Elements of Computer Applications, 10 Credits.

    Conclusion:
    Although the overall structure of these three qualifications varies regarding the areas of study and credit values, the focus remains the same. Another common feature is that these are all one-year qualifications which are designed to ensuring that learners acquire appropriate knowledge, skills and techniques in the field of accounting.

    Further to that, UNISA forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly; for example, UNISA's qualifications are accredited in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities' Yearbook.

    Thus, the Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences compares favourably with the two international offerings. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontally, this qualification articulates with a Diploma in Accounting Sciences at NQF Level 6.

    Vertically, the Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences articulates with an Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences or a Bachelors' Degree in Accounting Sciences, both at NQF Level 7. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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.