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SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Higher Certificate: Company Secretary 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15540  Higher Certificate: Company Secretary 
ORIGINATOR
Intec College 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Office Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  160  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifying learners with some of the basic skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent company secretary; JSE and statutory expert; accountant; or to lead to a qualification in corporate governance. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. Learners who register for this qualification should have passed Grade 12 or the equivalent.

2. Learners are also admitted if they have the Higher Diploma of the Institute of Business Studies (IBS), or

3. the Associate Certificate of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of prior learning [Regulation 8(1)(h)]. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

1. Identify, and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

2. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

3. Reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.

4. Communicate effectively using language skills.

5. Stimulate and develop thinking patterns involving creativity.

6. Interpret information from various sources.

7. Conduct research independently.


Specific Outcomes:

1. Financial Accounting I:
The competent learner can understand the basic principles of accounting and apply them to the affairs of sole traders and partnerships to enable the basic interpretation of records and statements.

2. Company Law and Close Corporations:
The competent learner can demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the regulation of companies and close corporations by both statute and case law.

Two electives from the following:

3. Internal Auditing:
The competent learner is able to understand the origins, nature and functions of internal auditing and apply these in the workplace.

4. HRM and Labour Relations:
The competent learner can understand the principles and practices of personnel administration, and the nature, problems and dynamics of the theory and practice of South African industrial relations.

5. Principles of Marketing:
The competent learner can understand the role of marketing in society and within the firm, as well as seek out, evaluate and action marketing opportunities for their employers.

6. Information Systems II:
The competent learner will build on the knowledge in Information Systems and the problems encountered in their implementation.

7. Quantitative Techniques:
The competent learner can understand basic statistical and related techniques, which are widely applicable in business administration. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Critical Cross-field Assessment:

1. Responses show that critical and creative thinking has been used to identify and solve problems.

2.1 Information is presented logically.
2.2 Learner shows evidence of critical thought.

3. Learner shows evidence of effective learning.

4. Learner's written skills are effective, comprehensible and logical.

5. Learner demonstrates an ability to assimilate and adapt knowledge.

6. Information from various sources is presented in a logical and effective way.

7. Results of independent research are presented.


Specific Assessment:

1. Financial Accounting I:
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the framework of accounting.
  • Explain the double-entry system and the accounting equation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the cash and accrual bases of accounting.
  • Explain how to deal with inventory, fixed assets and their depreciation, and the treatment of bad debts and provisions.
  • Prepare income statements, balance sheets and elementary cash flow statements for non-profit organisations, sole proprietorships and partnerships.
  • Prepare debtors' and creditors control accounts.
  • Reconcile bank and creditors.

    2. Company Law and Close Corporations:
  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the Companies Act, the Close corporations Act and the Insider Trading Act.
  • Apply such knowledge to practical situations and be able to provide suitable advice.
    Two electives from the following:

    3. Internal Auditing:
  • Explain the different forms of businesses in SA, their composition, function and liability.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Internal Auditing professional standards, statement of responsibilities, code of ethics and corporate governance.
  • Explain the role of audit committees as part of corporate governance.
  • Explain the difference between the audit process for Internal and External Audit.
  • Describe risk and control from an auditing and management perspective.
  • Prepare an audit programme.
  • Perform compliance and substantive procedures (manual and computerised systems).
  • Apply sampling techniques (including statistical sampling) to selected data within the organisation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of manual and computerised audit tests (operational) on various fields within the organisation.
  • Explain how sufficient audit evidence is obtained.
  • Prepare and reference audit working papers.

    4. HRM and Labour Relations:
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the origins, historical antecedents, developments, present perspectives, nature and content of Personnel Management and Labour Relations.
  • Identify the basic legal principles which govern or regulate Human Resources Management.
  • Identify the role players in the labour relations system / practice, the nature and content of their respective roles as well as the nature and content of their respective roles as well as the nature and content of the (institutional) relationships between them.
  • Demonstrate in general terms the provisions of:
    - The Basic Conditions of Employment Act
    - The Employment Equity Act
    - The Skills Development Act / Levies Act
    - The Occupational Health and Safety Act
    - The Compensation of Injuries on Duty Act
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the academic, operational and legal (where applicable) principles and provisions which underlie HRM practices and processes.

    5. Principles of Marketing:
    The learner should demonstrate the ability to:
  • Describe the nature of marketing.
  • Apply the marketing process in a business.
  • Scan the business environment.
  • Identify and explain the different factors influencing consumer behaviour.
  • Perform market segmentation.
  • Identify marketing opportunities through marketing research.
  • Understand the product concept.
  • Identify the elements of the product concept in an actual product.
  • Explain the phases of new product development.
  • Discuss the principles of distribution channels.
  • Explain the concept of physical distribution.
  • Identify and explain the elements of the marketing communication mix.
  • Discuss the factors influencing pricing decisions.
  • Apply the principles of the product life cycle.
  • Perform marketing planning.
  • Do a marketing audit.
  • Identify and discuss different marketing strategies.
  • Explain the principles of international marketing.

    6. Information Systems II:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the types of information needed within a business, the responsibilities of an Information systems department in managing information resources and the management of end-users.
  • Explain the hardware and software technologies available to business.
  • Apply suitable selection criteria and acquisition procedures.
  • Demonstrate how database and communications resources can be used in controlling and distributing information.
  • Explain the basic functionality of the different types of business software applications and where their use is appropriate.
  • Explain how information can be integrated within an organisation, as well as distributed across organisations (including use of the Internet).
  • Explain the stages of the standard systems development life cycle, the activities occurring at each stage and the alternative development methods.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of change management and the requirements for successful implementation.
  • Explain the potential threats to information systems, especially in a networked environment and the controls that can be applied to reduce risk.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of managing Information Systems staff and maintaining ethical standards.

    7. Quantitative Techniques:
  • Demonstrate an overall knowledge of probability, statistics and financial mathematics (compound interest and annuities).
  • Test statistical hypotheses.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of quantitative information in the business / commercial environment.


    Integrated Assessment:

    1. Formal, continuous assessment takes place at the end of a module or block of knowledge. Feedback from the tutor occurs in written form.

    2. Informal, continuous assessment takes place throughout the learner's studies. Self-assessment will encourage the learner to practise self-evaluation skills. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Not applicable. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. Articulation possibilities exist with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

    2. The qualifications toward which the graduate may proceed are other managerial qualifications that are not specific to a particular context, and further and/or higher education qualifications. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    A system of second examiners within the institution will be used, together with a system of external examination at exit levels to the qualification. Where professional or statutory bodies are involved in determining the curriculum, they will also be involved in moderation. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Our own staff will be used as assessors in a manner accommodated within our quality management system. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Higher Certificate: Company Secretary (towards the CIS membership) 

    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. Damelin Correspondence College 
    2. Intec College 


    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.