Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification is to provide students a convenient and appropriate avenue into the accounting, tax, and auditing fields. It can eventually lead to obtaining a qualification as a professional accountant for students seeking employment. The qualification is designed to develop graduates with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge so that they can, upon graduation, be able to:
- Display administrative proficiency.
- Display knowledge of management in general.
- Apply skills of rational judgment and planning.
- Recognize and appreciate changes within organizations.
- Make appropriate use of information technology.
- Analyze and solve operational problems.
- Display skills for the recording and processing of financial information within an accounting framework.
- Display ethical behavior in a corporate management context.
- Display the functional competence of a graduate to proceed to middle management level within an accounting (auditing/tax) environment.
The qualification also provides a qualification that would fulfill the admission requirements for other postgraduate qualifications offered by the institution.
Rationale:
While South Africa possesses an 88% basic literacy level, research shows that financial literacy remains a significant concern as it impacts significantly on the national economy. The latest data from the annual study of South African financial habits and attitudes shows a high percentage of misunderstanding or no knowledge of key financial management concepts and functions (FinScope, South Africa, 2013).
The lack of appropriately skilled professionals has had significant impacts on both the public and private sectors (SAIPA, 2014). This mismatch between the skills demand and skills supply has created a national imperative for the development of accountancy skills. According to the "National Scarce Skills List: Top 100 Occupations in Demand", accounting, financial and related skills have been identified as a scarce skill in South Africa (Department of Higher Education, 2014).
In this regard, the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will address regional and national priorities as identified by the South African government. This qualification aims to address the scarce and critical accountancy skills shortage in South Africa.
The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification is a sought after qualification as there are limited opportunities for individuals to pursue this qualification at public higher education institutions.
The qualification is intended to provide students with a qualification that will enable access to the labor market and provide the market with the necessary skills to generate economic growth. A market demand analysis was conducted by the institution in which a number of human resource professionals representing companies across all industries in the Southern African Development Corporation (SADC) regions agreed that there is a moderate to high demand for graduates with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification in industry and at the numerous accounting and auditing practices.
It is believed that a qualification such as this would fulfill a large and very obvious need in this regard. The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification is targeted at both school graduates and those currently working. Upon completion, this qualification will open up opportunities in the accounting, taxation, and auditing sectors. The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will equip students with the skills and competencies necessary to function in both private and public sector environments.
The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will provide improved opportunities for graduates in a sector that has high demand for qualified and competent employees. Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting qualification will, with the necessary work experience, be able to move upward into middle and senior management positions.
This qualification will provide graduates with vital skills to both the public and private sectors to enable entities to effectively account to all relevant stakeholders.
Outcomes
- Display the necessary knowledge and skills, attitudes and applied competence to enable them to demonstrate administrative proficiency.
- Display knowledge of management in general.
- Apply skills of rational judgment and planning.
- Recognise and appreciate changes within organisations.
- Make appropriate use of information technology.
- Analyse and solve operational problems.
- Display skills for the recording and processing of financial information within an accounting framework.
- Display ethical behaviour in a corporate management context.
- Develop the functional competence of a graduate to proceed to middle management level within an accounting (auditing/tax) environment.
Assessment Criteria
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Analyse and develop organisation context to demonstrate administrative proficiency.
- Implement appropriate processes to achieve administrative efficiency.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Understand components of effective management to enhance knowledge of management.
- Implement appropriate management capabilities to achieve organisational outcomes.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Select standard methods, procedures and/or techniques in finance and accounting and apply rational judgment.
- Compile, implement and monitor operational and other plans in an accounting or operational context.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Analyse situational contexts of organisations to identify the changes and their effects on the organisation.
- Apply knowledge of and how knowledge systems develop and evolve to remain current in this regard.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Utilise appropriate information technology in accounting, operational and management environments to record, report on and maintain accounting and management systems.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Identify, evaluate and solve routine and new problems within a familiar context.
- Apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to commerce and industry to provide solutions to problems.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Understand key concepts, principles, knowledge, skills and techniques in accounting and related fields to be able to display these skills for the recording and processing of financial information.
- Gather and apply a range of sources within an accounting context, including oral, written or symbolic texts and select information appropriate to the task and record basic processes in accordance with generally accepted accounting frameworks.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Take into account prescribed ethical codes of conduct, values and practices and conduct appropriate behaviour in accordance with it.
Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Understand and implement management functions, competencies and processes in an operational environment.
- Use functional competence in a commercial and international business to demonstrate accountability.
- Demonstrate managerial, supervisory and resource responsibility to show management competency.
- Communicate commerce and accounting information reliably, accurately and coherently by using conventions appropriate to context, either in writing, verbally or in practical to demonstrate management communication competence.
- Assess own performance and performance of others and take appropriate corrective action taken where necessary to display human resource management competency.
- Appropriately manage own learning and learning of others in a structured learning process.
Integrated Assessment:
The institution's Assessment Strategy has been reviewed and amended according to Council on Higher Education Accreditation Criteria (2012) and the National Policy and Criteria for Designing and Implementing Assessment for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Qualifications and Part-Qualifications and Professional Designations in South Africa (SAQA, 2014).
Assessment Type, Method and Description:
-
Formative Assessment:
- Assignments based on the learning material with feedback provided.
- Continuous process focusing on smaller sections of work and limited outcomes.
- Includes knowledge checks, reflective assessments, and learning community assessment.
-
Summative Assessment:
- Examinations or equivalent assessments to determine outcomes practiced and assessed in the formative stage.
- Tests ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge.
- Consists of projects, pen/paper exams, portfolio of evidence, and dissertations.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.