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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in General Accountancy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97843  Postgraduate Diploma in General Accountancy 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  128  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 this qualification is to equip learners with detailed knowledge in accounting and engage them on general accounting matters.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Apply the knowledge of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), Income Tax Act (including both personal and corporate income taxes), the Value-Added Tax Act and the Estate Duty Act at intermediate level.
  • Apply the knowledge on strategic financial and costing data in the management decision-making process at intermediate level.
  • Enhance the reliability of information in an external audit environment.
  • Communicate effectively within an accountancy and/or business environment.

    Rationale:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in General Accountancy is designed to provide learners with detailed knowledge of accounting and engage learners in the core areas of accounting. There is a need in the country to develop highly skilled professional accountants that will respond to the needs of the business industry. The industry is in need of professionals in financial management, accounting and tax practice. Therefore, this qualification will equip learners with technical expertise in the areas of accounting, taxation, management accounting and auditing, the four core disciplines of accountancy, and will be enabled to further their studies towards Chartered Accountancy. This qualification will ensure the development of reflective skills preparing them for highly-skilled work, such as Financial Managers, Accounting Specialists and Tax Practitioners. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The structure of this qualification makes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) possible. The qualification may therefore be achieved in part or completely through the RPL, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

    Each learner will be considered according to the institution's RPL policy and guidelines. The learner will be thoroughly briefed on the mechanism to be used and the appropriate support/guidance will be provided. The process will provide the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence in the relevant learning areas/outcomes and will not prevent him/her from taking up the RPL option towards attempting to gain a qualification.

    If the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification the appropriate credits will be assigned to him/her. RPL will be achieved by means of an appropriate integrated assessment method as mentioned above.

    This RPL may allow a successful learner:
  • To access further learning at this or higher levels on the NQF.
  • Obtaining of this qualification in part or in whole.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelors' Degree at NQF Level 7 or Equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Financial Accounting, 32 Credits.
  • External Auditing, 32 Credits.
  • Management Accounting and Finance, 32 Credits.
  • Taxation, 32 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the knowledge of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), Income Tax Act (including both personal and corporate income taxes), the Value-Added Tax Act and the Estate Duty Act at intermediate level.
    2. Apply the knowledge on strategic financial and costing data in the management decision-making process at intermediate level.
    3. Enhance the reliability of information in an external audit environment.
    4. Communicate effectively within an accountancy and/or business environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Financial statements are prepared using IFRSs (separate, consolidated and equity accounted).
  • Measurement and recognition requirements of elements of the financial statements are applied.
  • Items, transactions and events in the financial statements are presented.
  • Different tax legislation is applied in various scenarios.
  • Personal and corporate income tax, Value-Added Tax and Estate and other duties are calculated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Management of financial assets is analysed and evaluated, and the value of the entity is assessed.
  • Information needs are identified, and decision-making tools in achieving the entity's strategies are developed and used.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The different types of engagements an audit firm may perform are applied and reflected on.
  • The necessary audit work under different scenarios is designed and/or discussed by applying the International Accounting Standards (IAS).
  • Internal controls of accounting information systems are evaluated, and recommendations are made where needed.
  • The principles of the Companies Act, Close Corporations Act, Audit Profession Act and Corporate Governance Act (King 3) are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The principles of verbal and/or non-verbal communication skills are applied in different contexts relevant to the Accountancy and/or business environment.
  • Knowledge is integrated across the four core disciplines of Chartered Accountancy.
  • Knowledge is integrated through the successful completion of integrated case studies.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment strategy provides for both formative and summative assessment in each of the four compulsory modules. Formative assessment opportunities afford learners the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur, and to inform teaching practices. This allows for applied competence to be assessed.

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessment usually consists of six written tests for each core module, supplemented with a varying number of additional activities that include online quizzes, presentations, assignments and/or projects, as relevant per module. Formative assessment will constitute the other 50% of the final mark.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessment will take place in the format of a written examination, based on case studies and practical examples, at the end of the academic year for each module, amounting to 50% of the final mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    City University:
    The City University in the United Kingdom offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Charity Accounting and Financial Management. This qualification is designed to provide learners with knowledge in the critical specialist areas of accounting and enable them to further their career progression. This is an advanced qualification aimed also at experienced finance managers working in an organisation's finance department or those who act as financial advisors to charities and not-for-profit organisations.

    It aims to equip learners with knowledge of:
  • Specialist charity taxation and unique tax privileges.
  • The distinctive financial accounting practice and management.

    Ascenda University:
    The Ascenda School of Management in Vancouver, Canada offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting. This qualification is designed for learners who would like to have a comprehensive exploration of the business issues of management. It also provides them with the opportunity to combine academic study and intensive practical experience. The qualification concentrates on the latest management practices and strategies. The areas of focus include, taxation, managerial accounting, financial accounting, business law and strategy.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the cited qualifications offered in Canada and the United Kingdom. All qualifications are designed to equip learners with skills and knowledge in the specified areas of accounting which include, taxation, management accounting. The aim is to provide qualified professionals who will be instrumental in business related practices. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for possibilities of both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Accounting Honours, at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management Accounting, at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Business Science in Accounting Research, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Accounting, at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 the Free State 


    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.