Advanced Diploma in Financial Management
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose: The Advanced Diploma in Financial Management is designed to provide learners with accounting and finance skills, as well as strengthen their business acumen, people skills, and leadership skills through modules such as Financial Management, Business Management, Investment, and Portfolio Management. This qualification aims to develop learners who can demonstrate planning and technical skills in finance that align with industry needs. The curriculum includes a simulated Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) component and exposes learners to financial market areas like investments and portfolio management. By studying this qualification, learners can enhance their knowledge and understanding of financial concepts to contribute to society and the economy. The qualification builds upon knowledge gained at the Diploma level or any qualification at NQF Level 6, providing employed learners with more in-depth knowledge of Financial Management.
Rationale: The Advanced Diploma in Financial Management is a vocational qualification at Level 7 of the NQF with a minimum of 120 credits over a one-year full-time period. The curriculum has been designed in alignment with the 2015 Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Professional Qualification Syllabus, ensuring competency in accounting, finance, and other skills needed for finance professionals. The qualification prepares learners for various career paths in financial management and management accounting by connecting theoretical knowledge to practical competencies required for the job. It also equips learners to operate in the complex financial contexts of today's businesses.
The qualification's significance lies in enabling learners to enter different financial contexts and career paths, functioning under supervision within their scope of practice. Learners will develop practical skills and knowledge making them employable in financial management or management accounting sectors. The qualification is essential for the African and global context, aligning with the revised curriculum for professionals in the management accounting field as per the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This qualification also offers an opportunity for learners of existing National Diplomas to strengthen their knowledge gained at the Diploma level as articulation pathways are changing.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate integrated knowledge of Financial Management, Business Management, Working Capital Management and Investment and Portfolio Management including an understanding of and the ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of financial management### and detailed knowledge of Financial Management, Business Management and Investment and Portfolio Management as well as how that knowledge relates to economics and management studies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods of enquiry in a field of business studies, and their suitability to specific investigations and select and apply a range of Financial Management, Performance strategy, Working Capital Management, Business Management and Investment and Portfolio Management methods to resolve problems or introduce change within financial planning.
- Take decisions and actions ethically and professionally, and justify those decisions and actions drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches within a supported environment.
- Develop appropriate processes of information gathering through the use of business management techniques and independently validate the sources of data and evaluate and manage the information.
- Develop and communicate financial management ideas and opinions relevant to occupational discourse.
- Identify, evaluate and address learning needs in a self-directed manner, and to facilitate collaborative learning processes against given criteria.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
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Financial Management:
- Key terms: ROI, liquidity, leverage.
- Concepts: Time value of money, risk vs. return.
- Facts: Financial statements, budgets.
- Principles: Profit maximization, wealth maximization.
- Rules: GAAP, IFRS.
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Performance Strategy:
- Key terms: KPIs, balanced scorecard.
- Concepts: Strategy implementation, performance measurement.
- Facts: SWOT analysis, benchmarking.
- Principles: Alignment with business goals, continuous improvement.
- Rules: SMART objectives, strategic planning process.
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Business Management:
- Key terms: Leadership, organizational structure.
- Concepts: Decision-making, organizational culture.
- Facts: Business ethics, globalization.
- Principles: Delegation, communication.
- Rules: HR policies, business laws.
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Investment and Portfolio Management:
- Key terms: Diversification, asset allocation.
- Concepts: Risk management, market efficiency.
- Facts: Stock valuation methods, bond pricing.
- Principles: Portfolio optimization, market trends.
- Rules: SEC regulations, investment strategies.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
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Financial Management:
- Identify, select and evaluate information to address complex financial problems.
- Evaluate information in financial management to solve real-life financial issues.
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Business Management:
- Identify, select and evaluate information to address complex business problems.
- Evaluate information in business management to solve real-life business issues.
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Investments and Portfolio Management:
- Identify, select and evaluate information to address complex investment problems.
- Evaluate information in investments and portfolio management to solve real-life investment issues.
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Financial Accounting:
- Identify, select and evaluate information to address complex accounting problems.
- Evaluate information in financial accounting to solve real-life accounting issues.
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Working Capital Management:
- Identify, select and evaluate information to address complex working capital problems.
- Evaluate information in working capital management to solve real-life working capital issues.
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Methods and Procedures in Investment and Portfolio Management:
- Select and explain methods to address complex investment problems.
- Explain procedures in portfolio management to solve real-life investment issues.
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Methods and Procedures in Business Management:
- Select and explain methods to address complex business problems.
- Explain procedures in business management to solve real-life business issues.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
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Professional Standards and Ethical Implications:
- Explain and apply professional standards and ethical implications in business decisions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
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Information Analysis in Financial Management:
- Select, analyze, and present information using computer skills.
- Apply processes to analyze information in financial management and work integrated learning.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
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Communication in Financial Management:
- Present complex information using communication, computer literacy, and information literacy.
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Communication in Performance Strategy:
- Present complex information using communication, computer literacy, and information literacy.
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Communication in Working Capital Management:
- Present complex information using communication, computer literacy, and information literacy.
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Communication in Business Management:
- Present complex information using communication, computer literacy, and information literacy.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
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Learning Evaluation in Financial Management:
- Evaluate learning, work performance, and teamwork in financial management.
- Show responsibility for own actions and actions of others using life skills.
Integrated Assessment:
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Formative Assessments:
- Problem-solving assignments, presentations, case studies.
- Continuous feedback on assignments and tests.
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Summative Assessments:
- Written examinations, externally moderated.
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Work Integrated Learning:
- Simulated tasks to gain practical experience as financial controllers or managers.
- Assessment through a portfolio of learning material, moderated in-line with institutional policies.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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