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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99642  Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning 
ORIGINATOR
Akademia NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First 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  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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   2033-06-30  

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 aim of the Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning is to equip learners with knowledge, applied competence and skills related to Economic Sciences and Business Management Principles and to enable learners to pursue their studies in either Law or Economics. In addition, the qualification enables the learners to attain grounding in the key disciplines of Economics, Business Management, Strategic Financial Planning, Financial Management and Law.

The qualification enables learners to develop a critical understanding of the relationship between the disciplines of Business Management and Economics in the business world. The learners will also be expected to contribute to the inquiry of informing Business Management practice and law against a background of the current South African Economic and Legal Environment.

Rationale:
There is a need in the modern business world for employees with knowledge and understanding of Economics and Financial Planning to contribute to the continuing success of the economy as a whole. This can be seen when successful businesses improve the standard of living of its owners, managers and employees and it creates prosperous communities and a prosperous nation.

Therefore the Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning will enable learners to make a valuable contribution to the world of Economics and Financial Planning and enable learners to continue and further their discipline-based studies. Secondly the qualification will enable South Africa to have significant numbers of graduates in Economics, Financial Planning and related disciplines to meet the intellectual, technical and personal requirements for direct entry into local and international Financial Planning job situations and become members of related professional bodies and for entry into Postgraduate academic programmes required for the higher tiers in this sector of employment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learning that has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements part of the qualification. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner should demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. The Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for accelerated access to further learning or for admission to the qualification people who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NC (V)), Level 4 allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.
    Or
  • An appropriate Diploma, Level 6.
    Or
  • An appropriate Advanced Certificate, Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises Compulsory Modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7, totalling 370 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Economics 1, 20 Credits.
  • Financial and Investment Planning 1, 20 Credits.
  • Business Ethics, 20 Credits.
  • Business Mathematics, 20 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1, 20 Credits.
  • Business Management, 20 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits:
  • Economics 2, 20 Credits.
  • Financial Planning 2, 30 Credits.
  • Taxation, 20 Credits.
  • Investment Management 2, 30 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 2, 20 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 130 Credits:
  • Economics 3, 30 Credits.
  • Financial Planning 3, 30 Credits.
  • Investment Management 3, 30 Credits.
  • Tax Planning, 20 Credits.
  • Integrated Financial Planning, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the main areas of Economics, Financial Planning and Associated Disciplines, including the nature of the Business Environment, a background in Financial Planning and regulatory legislation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the tasks of Financial Planning, as well as the Financial Management functions and practices within an organisation.
  • Apply the principles and aims of a specific financial planning transaction, specific investment transaction and other associated transactions to a detailed simplified reference.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make sound financial investment in an ethical and professional manner. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to the modules and the specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine the competence of the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Make a meaningful contribution to a business.
  • Apply the basic concepts and principles of Financial Planning practice.
  • Apply the fundamental economic concepts and principles.
  • Perform appropriate financial calculations.
  • Advise Managers about the financial implications of investments.
  • Explain the financial consequences of investment decisions.
  • Formulate investment strategy.
  • Make sound financial investment decisions.
  • Identify, assess, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems related to financial information.
  • Read critically, understand and integrate financial data and reports.
  • Make judgements on the value of an item using financially related information.
  • Prepare, analyse and interpret financial reports for different types of business entities in accordance with the objectives of financial investment, generally accepted investment practice and statutory disclosure requirements.
  • Describe work performed and conclusions reached in a manner that enhances the report's usefulness.
  • Employ appropriate media in report preparation and presentation.
  • Prepare appropriate reports for the following levels; Executive Management, Middle Management, Administrative staff and general workers.
  • Explain the impact of the competitive investment landscape on the lives of individuals and on businesses.
  • Exercise a high level of professionalism, integrity and ethical behaviour to Financial Planning and Investment Practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and will ensure that no learner is disadvantaged. Learning, teaching and assessment are in line with each other.

    The term 'Integrated assessment' implies that theoretical and practical components will be assessed together. During integrated assessments the assessor will make use of formative and summative assessment methods and assess the practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies in an integrated manner.

    Therefore a variety of methods will be used in the assessment process. The tools and activities will be appropriate to the context in which the learner is working. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace or on-the-job, simulations, case studies and other similar techniques will be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification will enable Financial Planners to meet Financial Services Board requirements in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) Acts. These requirements are aligned with international best practice for the registration of individuals responsible for the Financial Planning activities.

    In addition, an international qualification was selected for the comparability exercise. It was found that the University of Canberra in Australia also offers a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning. The aim of the Degree is to develop business professionals who will be equipped to solve problems within a multi-disciplinary Business Environment. Graduates will develop generic attributes and skills, consistent with the expectations of the professional community. Graduates will also be able to:
  • Acquire in-depth disciplinary knowledge and skills in Banking and Financial Services, Economics, Financial Planning, and in both the private and public sector management.
  • Gain a broad understanding of concepts fundamental to commerce such as Statistics, Commercial Law, Information Systems and Management.
  • Understand the inter-relationships between government and business.

    Conclusion:
    From the above information it can be established that this qualification is comparable with both international best practices and an Australian qualification in terms of the competencies that learners will need to develop and the knowledge they need to acquire. This is because it both qualifications are aligned to international best practice and standards in Financial Management and Financial Planning. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification does not offer specific articulation opportunities with any of the qualifications offered by the Institution.

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Management in Financial Planning, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning Law, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, Level 8. 
    		•

    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. Akademia NPC 


    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.