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

Higher Diploma: Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21087  Higher Diploma: Accounting 
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 Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 9900/00  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2026-06-30  

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 the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent accountant. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. Learners who register for this qualification should have passed Grade 12 with sound English language skills and Mathematical skills; or

2. Learner will be admitted to this course of study if they possess a Higher Diploma awarded by the Institute of Business Studies (IBS). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification may be achieved in whole or 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. Accounting Framework:
Demonstrate an ability to interpret and use financial statements.

2. Legal Framework:
Demonstrate a knowledge of the basics of English law as applied to the work of the accountant.

3. Management Information:
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of quantitative techniques and cost accounting.

4. Organisational Framework:
4.1 Demonstrate the nature and purpose of the main types of organisation and distinguish between different forms of organisational structure.
4.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the organisation and its various environments.

5. Information Analysis:
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of information systems.

6. Audit Framework
Demonstrate an understanding of the audit procedure.

7. Tax Framework
Demonstrate an understanding of the UK tax system.

8. Managerial Finance
8.1 Demonstrate a familiarity with management accounting techniques.
8.2 Analyse the impact of sources of finance on capital structure.
8.3 Appraise capital investment.

9. Information for Control and Decision Making
9.1 Review the objectives of management accounting and its role as part of a business information system.
9.2 Explain the meaning of and the accounting implications of trends in management accounting.

10. Accounting and Audit Practice
10.1 Prepare various financial statements.
10.2 Produce reports to meet the needs of internal and external users.

11. Tax Planning
Identify opportunities to minimise potential tax liabilities by making full use of available options, reliefs and exemptions. Appreciate the importance of taxation in personal and corporate financial planning and decision-making.

12. Management and Strategy
  • Identify the principal ideas and concepts in the theory and practice of strategic management.
  • Assess the impact of environmental forces on organisational strategies and plans.

    13. Financial Reporting Environment
    13.1 Appraise critically the changes in the regulatory framework.
    13.2 Demonstrate an ability to work within professional and ethical framework of the accounting profession.

    14.1 Financial Strategy
    14.1 Understand the concepts behind available financial management theoretical models.
    14.2 Select the techniques to optimise the employment of resources, including the most effective method of financing. 
    		•

    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. Accounting Framework:
    1.1 Ability to explain the role and principles of financial accounting and reporting.
    1.2 Explain the nature, principles and role of auditing.

    2. Legal Framework:
    2.1 Identify the main sources of English law and explain how it is administered.
    2.2 Describe and outline the various English legal statutes that affect the accountant's work.
    2.3 Explain the general principles of the English law of contract.

    3. Management Information:
    3.1 Discuss the role of cost and management accounting and quantitative analysis with the organisation.
    3.2 Describe the role of computers in information analysis.
    3.3 Demonstrate output costing methods appropriate to a variety of business.

    4. Organisational Framework:
    4.1.1 Describe the role of the accountant in the management team.
    4.1.2 Explain the structures, functions and objectives of organisations.
    4.1.3 Demonstrate familiarity with the roles, functions and styles of management.
    4.2.1 Demonstrate familiarity with the theory of organisations and the economic, technological, socio-cultural and political environments.
    4.2.2 Appreciate the importance of international trade, the effects of change in exchange rates and balance of payments to the performance of the business.

    5. Information Analysis:
    5.1 Describe different types of systems, with particular reference to financial systems.
    5.2 Evaluate the performance of information systems.
    5.3 Describe systems for the security of data and applications.
    5.4 Describe the procedures to enable systems' maintenance to be carried out efficiently.

    6. Audit Framework
    6.1 Explain the nature, purposes and scope of an audit.
    6.2 Describe the audit procedures undertaken in the planning stage of an audit.
    6.3 Prepare and audit report and understand the form and implications of audit qualifications.

    7. Tax Framework
    7.1 Discuss the operation of the UK tax system.
    7.2 Outline the principles and scope of VAT.
    7.3 Compute the income tax liabilities arising on individuals and unincorporated businesses.

    8. Managerial Finance
    8.1.1 Apply management accounting techniques in planning, controlling and decision-making situations.
    8.1 2 Interpret information available from the use of management accounting techniques.
    8.2.1 Identify appropriate sources of finance for particular situations.
    8.2.2 Assess the impact of sources of finance upon capital structure.
    8.3 Appraise capital investment through appropriate methods and techniques.

    9. Information for Control and Decision Making
    9.1 Demonstrate an ability review the objectives of management accounting and its role as part of a business information system.
    9.2 Be able to explain the meaning of and the accounting implications of trends in management accounting such as world class manufacturing and total quality management.

    10. Accounting and Audit Practice
    10.1 Demonstrate an ability to prepare financial statements for partnerships, branches, joint ventures, single and group companies.
    10.2 Analyse and interpret financial and related information and produce reports.

    11. Tax Planning
  • Demonstrate an ability to minimise potential tax liabilities by making full use of available options, reliefs and exemptions.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of taxation in personal and corporate financial planning and decision-making.

    12. Management and Strategy
  • The principal ideas and concepts in the theory and practice of strategic management are identified.
  • The impact of environmental forces on organisational strategies and plans are assessed.

    13. Financial Reporting Environment
    13.1 The changes in the regulatory framework are critically appraised.
    13.2 An ability to work within the professional and ethical framework of the accounting profession is demonstrated.

    14. Financial Strategy
    14.1.1 An understanding of the concepts behind available theoretical models is demonstrated.
    14.1.2 The relevance of developments in financial management theory to an enterprise is assessed.
    14.2 The techniques to optimise the employment of resources are selected, including the most effective method of financing.


    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 
    If learners choose to write the ACCA Foundation Stage examinations, their results would be recognised in the United Kingdom. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. Articulation possibilities exist with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

    2. The qualifications toward which the graduate may proceed are other accounting 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. 

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

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

    NOTES 
    As per the SAQA decision to re-register all provider-based qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework that meet the criteria for re-registration, this qualification has been re-registered from 1 July 2018. 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.
     
    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.