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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: |
| Diploma: Accounting Technician |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 20402 | Diploma: Accounting Technician | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) (previously AETA) | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| FASSET - Financial and Accounting Services SETA | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Advanced Certificate | Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies | Finance, Economics and Accounting | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 252 | 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 0480/09 | 2009-07-01 | 2012-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2013-06-30 | 2017-06-30 | |||
| 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 |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the skills, competence, knowledge and understanding to become an accounting technician. This enables learners to develop work relevant competence, as an aid to employment and career progression. It also enables learners to progress further, using the excellent progression routes on to the ACCA or CIMA qualifications. The qualification also allows learners access to lifelong professional development and support, through the opportunity to take up full membership of the AAT, the largest professional body for accounting technicians. The qualification benefits employers as they can have confidence in the ability of trained staff and can recruit or promote accounting technicians, knowing that they have proved ability to do the required work. The qualification makes a positive contribution to South Africa's transformation agenda, by developing skills at technician level and providing recognition for those who have developed workplace skills but have not had the opportunity to gain formal qualifications. It is an open access qualification, requiring a good standard of literacy and numeracy, but not requiring the learner to hold formal qualifications. It benefits the South African economy by ensuring that the people responsible for accounting technicians' work are skilled, competent people. This is essential for organisational success in every sector of the economy, from the public sector to accountancy practice, to industry and commerce. Rationale: Qualified accounting technicians, with an internationally recognised qualification, make a valuable and critical contribution to organisational and national economic success. The Accounting Technician certificate gives learners access to enter the accounting field. This covers all sectors of the South African economy, from the public sector, to accountancy practice, to industry and commerce, including manufacturing, tourism and retail. Every senior accountant needs the support of skilled, competent accounting technicians to undertake the more routine and operational work. In many small businesses, accounting technicians will be the sole provider of accountancy support to the organisation. Self employed accounting technicians are highly suitable and cost effective for providing accountancy services to small businesses. The importance of technician level training has been recognised by the Eastern, Central and Southern African Federation of Accountants (ECSAFA), by its adoption of occupational standards for accounting technicians. ECSAFA includes South African representation, and this endorsement demonstrates the relevance of the qualification to the South African economy and employment market. Those holding the qualification can work in all sectors of the economy in a number of positions, including accounts clerk, wages clerk, accounts assistant, sales ledger clerk, tax assistant, bookkeeper. Many progress to become more senior in the accounts field and move on to hold positions such as Financial Controller and Accounts Manager. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| It is assumed that the learners accessing this qualification are competent in language, literacy, communication and mathematical literacy at NQF level 4. The qualification is open access and providers should assess the suitability of potential learners in terms of their literacy and numeracy.
Recognition of prior learning: The course provider undertakes an initial assessment to determine at which stage of the qualification the learner should start. This involves examining their previous learning and current skills in accounting. Those with no accounts experience would usually start at the Certificate level, and those with some accounts experience might start at the Advanced Certificate level. Rarely, someone very experienced in accounts might start at the final level: Diploma. The AAT provides an online tool to help providers assess the right starting point for each learner. |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| N/A |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| Qualifying learners will:
1. Demonstrate competence in the processing of sales and receipts. 2. Process purchases and payments correctly. 3. Be able to process petty cash, reconcile accounts and prepare an initial trial balance. 4. Present financial data for internal and external use. 5. Be able to operate a computerised accounting system. 6. Maintain accurate records relating to capital acquisition and disposal. 7. Collect and collate information for the preparation of final accounts. 8. Prepare the final accounts of sole traders and partnerships. 9. Record and analyse information relating to direct costs and revenues. 10. Record and analyse information relating to the allocation, apportionment and absorption of overhead costs. 11. Prepare and evaluate estimates of costs and revenues. 12. Monitor and control cash receipts and payments. 13. Manage cash balances effectively. 14. Be able to grant credit accurately. 15. Monitor and control the collection of debts. 16. Apply general principles and procedures for ethical compliance expected within the accounting sector. 17. Develop, maintain and apply ethics in employer /employee situations and in public practice. 18. Draft and interpret limited company financial statements. 19. Prepare forecasts and budgets. 20. Collect, analyse and disseminate information about costs. 21. Monitor performance and make recommendations to enhance value. 22. Contribute to the planning and conduct of an audit assignment and prepare related draft reports. 23. Prepare Business Taxation, capital allowance computations, assessable business income, capital gains and Corporation Tax computations, income from employment and property and investment income and Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax computations. Critical cross field outcomes: > Identify and prioritise work tasks taking account of organisational procedures and prepare a work plan. > Monitor and report progress against work plans and deadlines, adapting as necessary. > Communicate courteously with, and support, colleagues in work tasks to build effective working relationships. > Follow organisational procedures to find workable solutions to conflicts or difficulties in working relationships. > Review and evaluate performance and identify and agree training and development needs and objectives taking account of current work tasks and career goals. > Monitor work methods and activities against legislation, regulations and organisational procedures ensuring that emergency procedures are adequate for potential hazards. > Organise and monitor your work area so that conditions promote an effective and efficient working environment. > Plan work activities to make the optimum use of resources and to ensure that work is completed within agreed time scales. > Review the competence of individuals undertaking work activities and arrange the necessary training. > Prepare, in collaboration with management, contingency plans to meet possible emergencies. > Communicate work methods and schedules to colleagues in ways that help them to understand what is expected of them. > Monitor work activities sufficiently closely to ensure that quality standards are being met. > Co-ordinate work activities effectively and in accordance with work plans and contingency plans. > Encourage colleagues to report to you promptly any problems and queries that are beyond their authority or expertise to resolve, and resolve these where they are within your authority and expertise. > Refer problems and queries to the appropriate person where resolution is beyond your authority or expertise. > Identify weaknesses and potential for improvements to the accounting system and consider their impact on the operation of the organisation. > Identify potential areas of fraud arising from control avoidance within the accounting system and grade the risk. > Review methods of operating regularly in respect of their cost-effectiveness, reliability and speed. > Make recommendations to the appropriate person in a clear, easily understood format. > Ensure recommendations are supported by a clear rationale which includes an explanation. > Update the system in accordance with changes that affect the way the system should operate and check that your update is producing the required results. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Learners will have to demonstrate the follow knowledge and understanding:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. Assessment criteria associated with cross critical field outcomes: > Understanding of the organisation's business transactions, accounting systems and procedures including the in-putting, holding, protecting and transmitting of data through the use of computers (Elements 1, 2 & 3). > Cost centres and coding structures within the organisation (Element 1). > Understanding the organisational structure and reporting systems (Elements 1 & 2). > Basic awareness of the outside bodies to which the organisation reports including the VAT office (Element 1). > The organisation's requirements and procedures for protecting against risk, avoiding viruses and maintaining confidentiality where necessary (Elements 1, 2 & 3). > The need for, and awareness of, health, safety and security provisions which apply to organisations (Element 3). > Awareness of, and appropriate actions to deal with, hazards within organizations (Element 3). > Planning the work environment to allow maximum effectiveness and efficiency in the performance of duties (Elements 2 & 3). > Prioritising and planning duties to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency (Elements 1, 2 & 3). > Team working and procedures to deal with conflict (Element 3). Unit 10 Managing Systems and People in the Accounting Environment > The range of external regulations affecting accounting practice (Element 10.2). > Common types of fraud (Element 10.2). > The implications of fraud (Element 10.2). > Methods for scheduling and planning work (Element 10.1). > Techniques for managing your own time effectively (Element 10.1). > Methods of measuring cost-effectiveness (Element 10.2). > Methods of detecting fraud within accounting systems (Element 10.2). > Techniques for influencing and negotiating with decision-makers and controllers of resources (Element 10.1). > Principles of supervision and delegation (Element 10.1). > Principles of fostering effective working relationships, building teams and motivating staff (Element 10.1). > How the accounting systems of an organisation are affected by its organizational structure, its Management Information Systems, its administrative systems and procedures and the nature of its business transactions (Elements 10.1 & 10.2). > The overview of the organisation's business and its critical external relationships (customers/clients, suppliers, etc.) (Elements 10.1 & 10.2). > The purpose, structure and organisation of the accounting function and its relationships with other functions within the organisation (Element 10.2). > Who controls the supply of resources (equipment, materials, information and people) within the organisation (Element 10.1). Integrated assessment: Assessment of competence, knowledge and understanding is undertaken through a combination of competence based examinations and work based simulations. Some learners may undertake a work place project for one unit. Others will complete the unit through a work based simulated case study exercise. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The Qualification is comparable with the AAT Accounting Qualification, which is delivered in 16 countries and recognised internationally. The Qualification allows learners entrance into the accountancy profession, so learners can use it to work outside South Africa. Particularly relevant is the recognition of the qualification in Botswana, Swaziland and Zambia. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| The qualification is recognised as being not only a qualification in its own right, but also a well used and highly respected stepping stone to senior or chartered accountancy qualifications and higher education.
Holders of the qualification are eligible to apply to become full members of the AAT. Holders of the qualification are entitled to substantial exemptions from relevant degrees offered by 29 UK universities. They also gain direct entry onto the second stage of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants' (CIMA) Professional Qualification. They are exempted from the Certificate in Business Accounting. Holders of the qualification gain direct entry onto the second stage of the Association of Chartered Certified Accounts' (ACCA) Professional Scheme. They are exempted from Part 1. Similar exemptions apply within the UK for the Institute of Chartered Accountants' (ICAEW) ACA qualification, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland's (ICAS) CA qualification and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA) Professional Accountancy Qualification. |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| Moderation of the exams is undertaken by subject matter experts engaged directly by the AAT. Moderators must hold the moderator qualification and be registered with FASSET. Each assessment centre must undertake internal quality assurance moderation of the assessors' decisions. In addition, the AAT undertakes centralised scrutiny of the assessment decisions through a sampling process.
Approved assessment centres that offer tuition and assessment for this qualification must undergo a rigorous AAT quality assurance check and must meet the ongoing accreditation conditions through annual monitoring, which is undertaken jointly by the AAT and FASSET. |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| Assessors responsible for assessing the simulations must hold the assessor qualification and must be registered with FASSET. |
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
| As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009. |
| NOTES |
| N/A |
| 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. |
| NONE |
| 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. |