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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96487  Master of Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

First purpose:To provide students with specialised knowledge and skills about specialised aspects of accounting sciences (including financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation), thus equipping them for a career as a chartered accountant in accounting management areas of the private and public sectors where their participation will promote sustainable growth and development and maximise prosperity in all sectors of the economy and society.

Second purpose:To develop competent leaders in the various fields of accounting and management possessing specialised and generic cross functional knowledge and skills, enabling them to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction.

Third purpose:To provide students who would like to enrol for doctoral studies in accounting sciences with advanced research skills and a sound specialised academic base from which to do so. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements:
  • Honours Degree in the related field or equivalent qualification, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrated the ability to read and interpret specialised accounting literature, implying the ability to teach themselves from source material.
    2. Manifested specialised understanding of the use of scientific methods in the acquisition of specialised accounting data and knowledge.
    3. Demonstrated ability to identify and solve complex problems in a critical and creative way by applying appropriate specialised accounting methods.
    4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others as a member of a senior management team in the private, developmental and public sectors.
    5. Demonstrated ability to organise and manage oneself and one's personal activities responsibly and effectively.
    6. Demonstrated ability to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate technical and complex information.
    7. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, using specialised visual, mathematical, and or language skills in the modes of oral and or written persuasion.
    8. Demonstrated ability to use specialised accounting based science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the interests of others.
    9. Demonstrated understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising specialised accounting related problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    10. Demonstrated understanding of and ability to apply a range of specialised accounting related equipment, techniques, procedures and experimental approaches.
    11. Demonstrated ability to apply this specialised accounting related knowledge and practical skills to address specialised theoretical and practical management accounting and to learn appropriate lessons from these experiences.
    12. A specialised understanding of:
    > The latest advances in the theory and practice of accounting sciences.
    > The specialised empirical bodies of knowledge.
    > Extensive practical experiences and skills related to the specialised aspects of the relevant subject matte in one or more of the chosen fields.
    13. In the case of the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) in Taxation:
    > Specialised skills and technical background in the field of taxation to enter into a career as tax consultant in the private or public sector.
    > A demonstrated ability to conduct advanced research in the field of taxation.
    14. In the case of the MAcc in Auditing, Management Accounting and the Macc (General):
    > a demonstrated ability to successfully complete the Part II examination in Auditing or Management Accounting as set by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
    > the specialised skills and technical background to complete articles with an accredited chartered accountant in public practice or an accredited institution in Trade and Industry with a view of qualifying as a Chartered Accountant inside or outside public practice.
    > a demonstrated ability to conduct advanced research in the field of Auditing, Management Accountancy or Financial Accountancy and other related subjects.
    15. In the case of the MAcc in Financial Accountancy:
    > the specialised skills and technical background to conduct a career as chartered accountant in the public and private sectors.
    > a demonstrated ability to conduct independent advanced research in the field of Financial Accountancy and related subjects. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
    2. A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as simulations, computer assignments, workplace assessments, written and oral presentations and examinations are used.
    3. The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.
    4. From the assessment of samples, generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned way in order to ensure reliability.
    5. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.

    Integrated Assessment.
    Integrated assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures such as cross-disciplinary assignments, simulations, workplace assessments, theses, written examinations and oral presentation and examinations. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical Articulation into a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctor of Commerce (DComm) in the different sub-disciplines of accounting sciences. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Accounting in Auditing
  • Master of Accounting in Financial Accounting
  • Master of Accounting in Taxation 
    		•

    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. Stellenbosch 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.