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 in Public Finance and Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96859  Diploma in Public Finance and Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Mangosuthu University of Technology 
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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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:
(a) The purpose of the Level 6 Public Finance and Administration qualification is to provide a structured learning programme to enable public financial officials to provide support to strategic leadership and management needed to transform all spheres of government. The need for adequately qualified, efficient and client-oriented public financial officials is, therefore, identified as a priority in all the three spheres of government.

(b) The qualification, in terms of exit-level learning outcomes, covers strategic planning and budgeting, accounting and reporting, auditing and assurance, risk management, management information systems, project management and supply chain management. All of these areas are well grounded on various legislative frameworks and administrative procedures as focus areas of learning.

Rationale:
(a) Public financial officials in South Africa operate in a wide variety of roles within Public Management structures. In many instances, public financial officials work in diverse operating and service delivery circumstances. Consequently, they have to be widely acknowledged for their understanding and awareness of the unique characteristics and challenges they may face in the process of service delivery.

(b) The sustainability of South Africa's democratic process as well as developmental governance (developmental state) is strongly linked to capacity building within the three spheres of government, i.e. National, Provincial and Local Government.

(c) It is, therefore, imperative that public financial officials receive an up to date, relevant and respected public financial management and administration qualification that recognises that the knowledge and skills, which the public service requires, meet minimum quality standards particularly from the public sector perspective.

(d) It is for this reason that public financial officials need to have excellent awareness and understanding of the changing needs of today's public service delivery systems and to identify very clearly the highly relevant expertise which they need to have; conceptualise and demonstrate when executing their daily activities in the public sector.

(e)The Exit-Level Outcomes for this qualification highlight many of the public financial management and administration skills required with the public sector. Such skills and knowledge are geared towards enabling public financial officials, in all spheres of government, to operate effectively and successfully in a demanding environment.

(f) It is for this reason that the Exit-Level Outcomes and related assessment criteria are outlined for areas of competence which mark out public financial management as key and highly influential in public sector service delivery.

(g) Although this qualification is not linked to a particular professional body in the public service, the department has regular contact with industry through two advisory committee meetings per year to ascertain, amongst other things, the relevance of the content of the subject-matter and to be kept posted of new developments in the public service, particularly in areas of public financial management and administration.

(g) It is envisaged that this qualification will produce knowledgeable and multi-skilled potential financial officials as well improve the skills; and hence capabilities of the existing financial officials in the public service, thus an improved contribution to productivity and efficiency within the public service.

(h) This qualification provides the means for Accounting Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Senior Managers other financial officials; and Heads of Supply Chain Management Units; as well Senior Managers within the Supply Chain Management Units, to receive the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in order to upgrade their skills and knowledge through a nationally recognised qualification.

(i) With the advent of the implementation of public financial management reforms, this qualification serves as a basis of an effective implementation process by defining and identifying those competencies required by technical public financial officials.

(j) The possession of relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes by technical public financial officials is crucial to the implementation of public sector financial management and administration reforms. Thus the qualification contributes to the uplift of the South African economy in line with the aims of existing skills development legislation through enhancing of skills levels of public sector existing as well potential employees in the following career paths, namely:
  • Financial Services.
  • Administration.
  • Management.
  • Accounting.
  • Project/Public Entity Management. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Candidates that are able to demonstrate high levels of competencies, through summative assessment processes attached to this qualification, will receive Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

    It is recognised that candidates may have been competently performing the competencies contained in this qualification in a workplace setting for many years without having gained any formal qualification. The aim of the summative assessment through the RPL process will be to enable such candidates to obtain this qualification in whole or in part.

    The applicants for RPL will be required to prepare the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE); and the latter assessed and moderated using tools and techniques used for assessment of the qualification and through applicable unit standards.

    Entry Requirements
  • National Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Level: 5 (Level I Academic Year):
  • Economics I, Annual, 24 Credits.
  • English Communication Skills 24 Credits.
  • End-User Computing, Annual, 24 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting I, Annual, 24 Credits.
  • Commercial Law, 12 Credits.
  • Quantitative Techniques, 12 Credits.
    Total Credits 120.

    Level: 6, (Level II Academic Year):
  • Auditing II, 24 Credits.
  • Economics II, 24 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting II, 24 Credits.
  • Public Finance and Accounting II, 24 Credits.
  • PUMA 020, Public Management I, 24 Credits.
    Total Credits 120.

    Level: 6, (Level III Academic year):
  • Auditing III, 32 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting III (C), 32 Credits.
  • Management Information Systems I, 22 Credits.
  • Project Management I, 22 Credits.
  • Public Finance and Accounting III, 32 Credits.
    Total Credits 140. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct and apply mathematical analyses relating to economics and finance.
    2. Discuss the selected legislative regulatory framework governing the public sector management and administrative environment.
    3. Apply principles of information systems to public finance and administration.
    4. Apply economics principles to finance and management decisions.
    5. Apply communication principles in the co-ordination of selected public sector communication programmes.
    6. Apply accounting principles and procedures in the preparation of reports for decision-making.
    7. Apply cost management information systems in the preparation of management reports.
    8. Apply principles, regulations and legislation underlying supply chain management in the public sector.
    9. Apply selected GRAP statements to the periodic accounting reporting process.
    10. Conduct auditing planning and implementation in a South African municipality.
    11. Apply operations research principles and tools in the management of project activities and resources.
    12. Plan and implement public-private partnerships for municipal service delivery. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Calculations relating to the time value of money are performed for different financial transactions.
  • The usefulness of linear programming is demonstrated in selected resource allocation problems.
  • Graphical representations and set theory are used in the analysis of finance and economics related problems. Economic relationships are understood through finding solutions aided by graphical representation techniques.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The Constitution of South Africa is understood and interpreted in relation to public sector financial management.
  • The Public Finance Management Act and Municipal Finance Management Act are applied appropriately to simulated and real financial situations.
  • The fundamental aspects of the organisation and operation of SA's legal system are identified and explained.
  • Essential elements required to establish valid contract are identified and explained.
  • Terms and conditions for different levels of performance to discharge contract obligations are identified and explained.
  • Forms of contract breaches and related remedies are identified and discussed.
  • General employment contracts are understood with reference to SA's law of employment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Economic forces that have created an environment that foster e-commerce and e-governance.
  • Features and opportunities of commonly used Information Technology (IT) resources are explained.
  • Relative merits of different hardware and applications architectures are evaluated.
  • The concept of value chain analysis is used to identify opportunities for e-governance and e-commerce.
  • The different ways the WEB is used to communicate with different stakeholders and public sector website requirements in line with the Public Finance Management Act are understood and applied in public administration.
  • Threats; and related preventive measures, to e-commerce and e-governance systems are described.
  • The importance of an information system in the management, planning, decision-making and control is discussed.
  • The value and cost of information is described and evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Concepts used to distinguish micro-economic s and macro-economics are explained and clearly illustrated.
  • Central economic problems and characteristics of different kinds of goods are discussed with reference to SA economy.
  • The various criteria used to measure the performance of the economy are explained with reference to selected macro-economic objectives.
  • Basic concepts of economics to macro-and micro economic activities of South Africa's economy are applied.
  • Economic theory is illustrated and presented in words, numbers, equations and in graphs.
  • Economic principles that under-pin supply and demand relationships are utilised to analyse developments in different markets.
  • Individual consumer's choice between consumer goods and services is analysed in order to derive individual demand curve using utility theory.
  • Basic production and cost concepts are applied in the analysis of the decisions of economic agents.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Oral and written communication skills are effectively used in interpersonal and organisational communication.
  • Reading skills are effectively used to understand, interpret and act upon different communication strategies.
  • A model of communication process is described and used to coordinate selected communication programmes in the public sector.
  • Barriers to interpersonal communication are explained and ways of overcoming such barriers explained.
  • Writing skills are effectively used to generate reports, official memorandums, notices, etc.
  • The impact of advanced information technology on interpersonal relations and other organisational activities is understood.
  • Communication tools are selected and used to manage internal and external forces of change.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The importance of accounting in the public sector is explained.
  • The process that influences the development of accounting standards and practices, including the standard charts of accounts, are explained.
  • Different accounting records needed to process accounting entries are set out.
  • The importance of preparing in-year reports to assist decision-makers is explained.
  • Actual performance against budget information is prepared for decision-makers.
  • End of period accounting procedures are set out to prepare financial statements.
  • Procedures for recording and reporting accounts receivable are applied, including revenue received, documents relating to credit transactions and debtor administration system.
  • Procedures used to exercise control over cash transactions are applied, including internal controls over cash transactions, voucher system, bank reconciliation and operation of a petty cash fund.
  • Procedures for recording and reporting liabilities common to public sector reporting entities are applied, including creditor administration system, payments and calculation of interest.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Elements of costing are identified and applied in the assessment of cost variability.
  • Difficulties associated with categorisation of costs behaviour in a public sector organisation are explained.
  • Knowledge of cost variability is applied to incremental analysis in decision-making problems.
  • Different costing approaches are used to measure the performance of different segments.
  • Standard costing and related variance analyses done to prepare reports needed to manage by exception.
  • Overhead costs associated with public service delivery are allocated, apportioned and absorbed to measure cost recovery levels.
  • A range of costing systems and reports are considered in the compilation of management reports.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • The elements of a world class supply chain management systems are identified and described.
  • The evolution and importance of a supply chain management system in the public sector are described.
  • The spanning functional boundaries of supply chain management in South Africa's public sector are understood and described.
  • Processes followed in making decisions about quality and quantity, supplier selection, pricing decisions and timing of purchases are understood and applied.
  • Different inventory systems are distinguished to enhance management of inventories in the public sector.
  • Procure bulk services and goods using established supply chain management regulations.
  • The principles underlying e-commerce are identified, understood and applied to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain at tactical level.
  • Guidelines and principles that enable the operation of a sound supply chain management in the public sector are described.
  • Contract and relationship management techniques, tools and philosophies that enable collaboration in the supply chain management are applied in fostering synergistic opportunities in supply chain management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Overall objectives of public sector financial reporting, the specific information needs of stakeholders and the general information needs of others are identified and described.
  • The need for a conceptual framework and for standards of financial reporting for the public sector organisations is clearly understood.
  • The elements of public sector financial statements related to measurement of financial position and performance are identified and applied in the preparation and presentation of reports.
  • The qualitative characteristics of financial information are analysed and applied to the presentation and measurement issues to enhance the decision-usefulness of financial reporting.
  • Recognition and measurement criteria are understood and applied to transactions and other events for incorporation into financial statements.
  • Selected statutory disclosure requirements are identified.
  • Analyse the financial position, financial performance and cash-flow statements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • An internal audit plan is reviewed and its importance and relevance explained with reference to risk assessment and views of the audit committee.
  • The role of audit committee in the approval of an audit plan is explained.
  • The evidence of the execution of the internal audit plan is monitored and explained.
  • The contents of a report to management on areas of concern and weaknesses within the accounting system are explained.
  • The internal audit function is described to show how it provides assurance regarding the adequacy of that management process and to identify significant risks.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Project evaluation and review techniques are applied to simulated situations.
  • Selected statistical and project management software are used to enhance project management.
  • Operational research tools are applied in solving transportation, inventory and other service delivery problems.
  • Understand the project management life cycle.
  • Understand the scheduling of a project.
  • Understand the costing of projects.
  • Understand and utilise the project management tools.
  • Understand team dynamics in project planning and implementation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
  • An understanding of the rationale for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and different options available to municipalities is demonstrated.
  • Different types of PPPs, their contractual arrangements and operational framework are evaluated.
  • The development of a plan to monitor compliance and regulating of PPP projects are discussed.
  • The required ethical standards applied in municipal service delivery through PPP are complied with.
  • An implementation process for institutionalising PPPs as service delivery mechanisms are developed and suggested.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative: The learner is expected to be assessed on three two hour written assessments per year.
    Summative: The qualifying learner is expected to write one three hour examination per year. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Bench-marking was done by comparison to Unit Standards/Outcomes of learning against the Standards in Public Finance Management and Administration in:
    Australia:
  • A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in any level of government is expected either to be a Chartered Accountant or Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). The qualification of a Chartered or Certified Practicing Accountant requires a minimum of a three-year Degree, articles served over a three-year period and a further training course designed by the relevant Professional Body. Those who desire to move from a specialist senior management position to general management usually use their credits towards an Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification and concentrate on study units relating to general and strategic management and industry specific units. The National Diploma in Public Finance Management and Administration qualification is a technical qualification at a level lower than that of CPA.

    Kenya:
  • Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB) is an examination body which registers learners and sets, administers and manages accounting, finance, administration and management examinations both a professional and technical levels. The examinations of the Board are recognised worldwide and are comparable to similar professional examinations, e.g. ACCA and CIS, in the world.

    The Board administers:
    (a) The Certified Public Accountants (CPA) examinations for those learners who wish to qualify and work as professional accountants, auditors, finance managers, tax and financial consultants. The CPA qualification has two elective subjects on government finance and government accounting. The learning outcomes underlying this qualification are equivalent to SAQA's Level 7 outcomes.

    (b) The Certified Public Secretaries (CPS) examination for those learners who wish to qualify and work as corporate secretaries, company secretaries, town clerks, secretary managers, consultants and managers in industry and commerce, administrators and human resources advisers in public and private institutions. The CPS qualification has two elective subjects on government finance and government accounting. The learning outcomes underlying this qualification are equivalent to SA's Level 6 broad outcomes. This is the highest qualification that must be held by candidates seeking to fill Municipal Managers, i.e. Town Clerks, and Treasurers positions in Kenya's Local Government.

    The Kenya Accounting Technicians Certificate (KATC) examination for those learners who wish to obtain a qualification as specialised middle-level accountants, who are also known as accounting technicians. The learning outcomes of this qualification closely match those attributable to accounting technicians' qualifications registered at an Level 5 in South Africa.

    The Kenya Administration and Management Examination (KAME) is for those learners who wish to obtain a qualification as supervisors, administrative officials, section head and first level managers and administrators in the public and private sectors. Middle managers in administration in the Kenyan government or Local Governments are expected to hold either the KATC or KAME Qualifications.

    The United Kingdom and Ireland:
  • In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Financial Managers in Public Administration are expected to be members of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and to comply with their requirements. CIPFA promotes public sector finance management interest through its professional qualification and continuing professional development scheme; and through its regulatory role comprising the setting of professional standards and the maintenance of a professional disciplinary scheme for members The National Diploma in Public Finance Management and Administration form a good basis for learners who wish to qualify as CIPFA members. The National Diploma: Public Finance Management and Administration compares quite favourably with the Certificate in Business Accounting offered by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK).

    Tanzania and Uganda:
  • Faculties of Economics and Management Sciences at universities tend to offer subjects whose technical and academic content is closely aligned to the examinations administered by KASNEB. It follows that there is not insignificant coverage of public sector finance and accounting issues given that they tend to receive a peripheral treatment in the CPS/CPA examinations administered by KASNEB. The training situation is not materially different from that prevailing in Tanzania and Uganda given that the two countries have tended to adopt a similar approach to training of management, accounting and finance professionals.

    Namibia:
  • The University of Namibia has a certificate programme in Taxation and Public Finance, which was designed in 2000 to equip those high school graduates with experience in technical accounting issues in the central and local government. On the basis of the scope of subjects and related learning outcomes addressed, this certificate programme can only be equated to certificates in finance registered at Level 5. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications:
  • The National Diploma in Financial Services Level 6.
  • The National Diploma in Municipal Financial Management: Level 6.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with the following qualification:
  • Advanced Diploma in Finance and Accounting (Public): Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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. Mangosuthu University of Technology 


    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.