Advanced Diploma in Accountancy
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide learners and certain categories of graduates with a focused, systematic, and specialized understanding of current theory and practice in Accounting and related fields of study. They will be able to demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply the relevant accounting theory, principles, concepts, practices, and techniques as embodied in any one of the specialized fields of Professional Accounting and Internal Auditing.
Rationale
The Advanced Diploma in Accountancy will replace the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Cost and Management Accounting and Internal Auditing qualifications. The new Advanced Diploma in Accountancy builds on the Diploma in Accountancy (NQF Exit Level 6) offered by the Faculty, and its design of a generic core of accountancy-related modules, together with specialization streams in Professional Accounting and Internal Auditing. This qualification will cater to the consistently demonstrated need in the labor market for mid-level Internal Auditors and Professional Accountants.
A confirmation of the need for the qualification can be found in the increasing demand over a number of years for the current BTech qualification. The Advanced Diploma is nevertheless not merely a BTech Degree with a new name; it has been completely redesigned based on the curriculum.
The Advanced Diploma in Accountancy is vocationally focused. Learners will thus be able to work as Financial Accountants, Management Accountants, Internal Auditors, and Taxation Consultants. The qualification will prepare learners for Postgraduate study and for those learners specializing in internal auditing, provide an articulation route to the Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Auditing at Level 8. Those learners choosing the Professional Accounting option will be able to, after successfully completing three years of training and passing the qualifying examination of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), qualify as Professional Accountants.
Outcomes
- Integrate and apply the relevant accounting theory, principles, concepts, practices and techniques as embodied in any one of the following specialised, elective fields: > Professional Accounting. > Internal Auditing.
- Apply the principles of financial accounting and reporting in complex scenarios.
- Perform review engagements and evaluate and respond appropriately to business risks.
- Apply relevant principles and techniques of management and cost accounting.
- Apply relevant principles and techniques of financial management.
- Apply the basic principles of corporate procedures and governance in terms of the Companies Act 71 of
- Explain and apply the theoretical and practical components of the public sector environment and the public sector accounting framework.
- Apply and integrate the nature and scope of Information Systems audit engagements.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories within accounting, taxation, or internal auditing.
- Analyse selected problems and resolve them within a taxation or internal auditing context.
- Utilise appropriate technology across specialised areas of internal auditing or taxation.
- Apply research skills in an integrated manner.
- Apply financial accounting, resource, and process management skills ethically and accountably.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Collect, analyse, process, and critically review data for effective financial decision-making.
- Identify and define different elements of financial statements based on the conceptual framework and apply them to selected cases.
- Map the regulatory environment for financial reporting with specific references.
- Draft purposeful financial statements/reports related to various aspects of financial reporting.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Establish and perform terms of review engagements and draft reports.
- Differentiate review engagements and audit engagements.
- Apply analytical procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement.
- Evaluate irregularities during review engagements and handle them appropriately.
- Apply COSO ERM framework and Control Framework to assess risk and internal controls.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Apply cost and management accounting principles to an organization's value chain.
- Apply the theory of constraints for effective business performance.
- Analyze risk and uncertainty using specific approaches and techniques.
- Apply benchmarking and balanced scorecard for evaluating operational performance.
- Compute target cost and compare activity-based costing to traditional costing.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Review the King 3 Report on corporate governance and apply findings.
- Apply industry comparative and time-series analysis to financial management contexts.
- Calculate and evaluate various ratios and propose corrective actions.
- Calculate the cost of debt and preference share capital.
- Analyze business and financial risks using risk indicators and measurements.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Investigate and evaluate various aspects of ACT 71 of 2008.
- Explain remedies and enforcement as stipulated by the Act.
- Enhance accountability and transparency in corporate governance.
- Discuss consequences of offences and miscellaneous matters.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Apply public sector accounting framework and legislation to cases.
- Differentiate private sector and public sector budgeting and accounting frameworks.
- Analyze the Public Finance Management Act and Municipal Finance Management Act.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Explain and apply the COBIT governance framework in information systems audit engagements.
- Review databases with reference to data structures and principles of DBMS.
- Apply risk and control activities in managing databases.
- Describe and apply CAATTs in audit engagements.
Integrated Assessment:
- Assessment methods may vary based on module purpose and teaching approach.
- Formative assessment includes a combination of assignments, tests, and progress evaluations.
- Summative assessment includes formal assignments, tests, and semester examinations.
- Assessment tasks require integrating information, critical thinking, and practical applications.
- Assessment topics, format, and criteria are outlined in student module guides.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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