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: 

Higher Certificate in Accountancy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99552  Higher Certificate in Accountancy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher 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  128  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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 Higher Certificate in Accountancy develops the applied competences of the learner in preparation for a career in the Accounting, Business and Financial Management fields and provides a basis for further learning. The qualification enables learners to develop knowledge and skills and to be able to implement this knowledge and skills in a practical environment.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Prepare a set of books to trial balance.
  • Understand the techniques and tools of management information systems.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
  • Understand the components and behaviour of costs and calculate the cost of a product.
  • Understand the legal implications of the accounting environment.
  • Understand and apply the principles of financial accounting.
  • Prepare basic management reports and understand the impact of management reports.

    Rationale:
    There is a national skills shortage of Accounting Technicians. This qualification provides an educational opportunity for those contemplating a career in the accounting field. Learners will develop skills that will enable them to choose between studying further in this field and/or to start working.

    This qualification helps towards alleviating the shortage in human resource skills and equips the industry to deliver a better service to their respective stakeholders. Upon qualifying learners can be employed as Data Capturers, Administration Assistants, Junior Accountants, Municipal Clerks, Clerks in Banking or other commercial sectors in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The assessment of RPL is conducted in a variety of ways and there is no one set way of assessing prior learning. In each case evidence must be provided to support the assessment decision that has been reached as each RPL case will be different and may include one or more approaches.

    The evidence provided for judging competence will be evaluated for its authenticity, validity, sufficiency and its currency. The moderation of the assessment will verify that the assessment has been fair, reliable and valid; to identify the need to redesign the assessment, if required and to evaluate the performance of the assessor/s.

    It should be noted that this policy does not accommodate the awarding of an entire qualification on the basis of RPL.

    A person seeking RPL will be required to do an assessment that recognises broadly equivalent skills and knowledge as reflected holistically in the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

    RPL may be used to grant:
  • Admission to the qualification to learners who do not met the minimum entry requirements.
  • Advanced standing to learners through the awarding of module exemptions.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 worth 16 Credits each totalling 128 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1.1.
  • Management Information Systems 1.1.
  • Management Accounting 1.
  • Business Calculations 1.
  • Financial Accounting 1.2.
  • Management Information Systems 1.2.
  • Legal Principles and Practices for Accountants 1.
  • Business Literacy 1. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Prepare a set of books to trial balance.
    2. Understand and apply the techniques and tools of management information systems.
    3. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
    4. Understand the components and behaviour of costs and calculate the cost of a product.
    5. Understand the legal implications of an accounting environment.
    6. Understand and apply the principles of financial accounting.
    7. Prepare management reports and understand the impact of management reports on a business. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The accounting system is explained.
  • The accounting equation is used and applied to basic transactions in order to produce a statement of financial position and a statement of financial results.
  • Transactions in the general ledger are recorded and a trial balance is drawn up.
  • Transactions in the general journal are recorded and posted to the ledger and a trial balance is drawn up.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Understand the functioning of the Internet, E-Commerce, Global Information Systems, Information Systems (IS) Development, Enterprise systems and Management Support Systems.
  • The role of computers and Information Systems in daily life is understood.
  • Transaction processing systems are understood.
  • The major components of an information system are described.
  • Criteria and specifications appropriate to specific Information Technology (IT) problems are collected, identified and analysed and strategies for their solution are planned.
  • IT programmes are used in daily accounting activities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Business correspondence is correctly designed and used.
  • The functions and types of non-verbal communication are identified.
  • Organisational communication is discussed.
  • Appropriate conflict management strategies are applied.
  • Appropriate meeting procedures are followed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The principles of cost classification and terminology are defined and differentiated.
  • The principles of stock and stock holding are defined and differentiated.
  • All remuneration related items are calculated, administered and recorded.
  • Overheads and allocation of overheads by means of predetermined rates are classified, explained, calculated, recorded and analysed.
  • The cost flow in a manufacturing concern to determine cost of manufactured products and services is understood and explained.
  • Cost-volume profit analysis as a management tool is understood, explained, calculated and used.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The current principles governing delictual liability and unjustified enrichment are understood.
  • The terms and principles of a contract are understood and explained.
  • The concepts of offers and acceptance are understood.
  • The understanding of law and legal identity is demonstrated.
  • An understanding of ethics and responsibility is developed through an appreciation of statute and professional conduct.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The business cycle and various decisions taken in a business are understood.
  • Financial transactions are recorded and interpreted, financial statements are prepared, and underlying accounting assumptions and concepts are related to current practice.
  • All routine type transactions including Value-Added Tax (VAT) cash book are recorded in accordance, with VAT Act requirements.
  • Employees' tax and the computation of salaries and wages are undertaken correctly.
  • Disclosure of assets, liabilities, and the various forms of equity in sole traders, partnerships, and companies, Manufacturing Income Statements and the determination of inventory values are conducted using arithmetic conventions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • An understanding of Financial Management and costing tools is shown.
  • The time/value of money in the decision making process is utilised.
  • Various reports using different forms of costing systems are prepared.
  • Decisions using the principles embodied in cost volume profit techniques are made.
  • Budgeting skills to develop variance analysis reports are utilised.

    Integrated Assessment:
    A range of formative and summative assessments will be used. Assessments will simulate the working environment as realistically as possible. Assessors will use various methods including but not limited to: written reports, verbal presentations, portfolios, projects, practical exercises, demonstrations, observation, simulations, role plays, case studies, oral questioning and/or interviewing and peer assessment in their attempts to ensure that information is presented logically and effectively. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB) is an independent standard-setting board within the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) that develops standards and provides guidance on qualifications, education, training, and continuing professional education and development for all members of the accountancy profession. The International Accounting Education Standards Board sets out a framework to support the education, technical competency and development of accountants working at the technician level. The guide is organised according to qualification, and post qualification stages.

    Qualification for Accounting Technicians:
    Accounting Technicians need to develop accounting skills and the knowledge and understanding that underpin these skills. This knowledge and understanding enables them to fully understand how and why a particular task is undertaken. When knowledge is taught in isolation from the skills that it underpins, there is a risk of learning without the development of real understanding. Their education should therefore be competence based and aimed at an outcome, rather than being academic and being measured on input, or the number of hours of learning they undertake. The desired outcome is to produce an accounting technician who can perform effectively and efficiently in the workplace. This in turn, means that they can still undertake the tasks if the context or working environment changes e.g., if they were to move from a public sector environment to public practice.

    The IAESB also set minimum entry requirements for entrants to the profession and the relevant qualifications.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification has been designed to be in line with the standards set by the International Accounting Education Standards Board. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    There are no specific horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities offered by the University of Zululand.

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate: Accounting Sciences, Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate: Commerce: Cost and Management, Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate: Commerce: Financial Accounting, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Accountancy, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Business Accounting, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Public Finance and Accounting, Level 6.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, Level 7. 
    		•

    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 Zululand 


    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.