Advanced Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

• Critically analyse and provide recommendations to improve the operations of organisations through the application of decision making techniques.
• Distinguish between financial and non-financial information in decision making, control and performance evaluation applications in budgeting and standard setting.
• Evaluate the costs and benefits of different conventional and contemporary budgeting systems.
• Deal with the proper acquisition, allocation and control of financial resources in the business organisation.
• Ensure adequate returns to shareholders and optimum utilisation of funds.
• Provide effective and efficient financial management services and guidance to business organisations.
• Compile financial management reports and perform a supportive role in financial issues within the organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

• Evaluate, plan and develop strategic cost and management accounting approaches.
• Demonstrate mastery of budgeting systems and strategic performance measurement systems.
• Analyse and apply advanced Management Accounting control systems.
• Explain and calculate material mix and yield and sales mix and quantity variances.
• Explain and calculate planning and operating variances.
• Explain the factors that influence the decision to investigate a variance and describe the different methods that can be used to determine whether an investigation is warranted.
• Explain the role of standard costing within an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) system.
• Discuss the various strategic cost management techniques.
• Discuss strategies to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.
• Describe the four perspectives of the balanced scorecard.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

• Apply the principles and requirements related to accounting policy changes, errors and accounting estimates.
• Apply the principles related to provisions, contingencies and events.
• Prepare and present complex consolidated financial statements.
• Compile accounts and reports for all types of joint ventures.
• Apply the knowledge gained in terms of financial instruments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

• Discuss and apply the concepts involved in managing projects.
• Apply tools and techniques for project managers.
• Discuss management and leadership issues associated with projects, including the roles of key players in projects.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements of the Conceptual Framework and Companies Act in terms of preparation and presentation of financial statements.
• Understand and apply knowledge in terms of recognition, measurement and disclosure of revenue from contracts from customers.
• Understand and apply the principles and disclosure of deferred taxes.
• Understand and apply the principles related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), impairment of assets, intangible assets and non-current assets held for sale.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

• Perform a supportive role in financial issues within the organisation.
• Manage technology and information.
• Demonstrate the purpose of the technology and information function and its relationship with other parts of the organisation.
• Explain how information systems support the organisation's strategies and operations.
• Discuss the role of information systems in organisational strategy.
• Evaluate the information systems requirements for successful strategic implementation.
• Evaluate the opportunities for the use of Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS) for the organisation, including Big Data.
• Evaluate the impact of IT/IS on an organisation and its strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

• Identify and analyse a research problem.
• Identify and recommend one of the several types of literature reviews available to a researcher.
• Discuss the literature review process.
• Formulating a research question and/or hypothesis.
• Choose and justify a specific research process.
• Discuss and recommend one of the various sampling methods available to a researcher.
• Discuss the various data collection methods and recommend an appropriate collection method to a researcher.

Integrated Assessment:

• Exit Level Outcomes are assessed on a continuous basis by means of assignments, class tests, semester tests and presentations (formative assessment), culminating in summative assessments (written examinations).