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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: |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 101527 | Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Institute of Accounting Science (Pty) Ltd | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Postgraduate 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 | 120 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Reregistered | EXCO 0821/24 | 2021-07-01 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2028-06-30 | 2031-06-30 | |||
| 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy [PGDip (Accountancy)] is designed to provide working professionals with the specialised training needed to qualify as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa). The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Accountancy achieves its main purpose by equipping learners with knowledge of the current thinking and practice applicable to the field of Accountancy at this level. Learners who successfully fulfil the requirements of the qualification will be in possession of postgraduate level knowledge, skills and applied technical competence in accounting and its related disciplines, needed to practice as professional accountants in public practice and in commerce and industry. They will be able to engage at a high level with the theoretical, ethical and intellectual issues relating to their practice, as well as be prepared for further higher education studies in related disciplines. The Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy also provides the techniques needed at postgraduate level to conduct independent research into areas relevant to the discipline, and to analyse and articulate the findings of this research in ways appropriate to the discipline and its professional practice. Finally, the PGDip in Accountancy plays a role in assisting learners to prepare for the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) qualifying examination set by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Rationale: The typical learner that will benefit from this qualification will be an individual who has completed an accredited Bachelor of Commerce Degree, who intends working in the accounting sector, and who wishes to become a fully qualified, registered Chartered Accountant (South Africa). They would wish to demonstrate their professional status through the acquisition of an appropriate qualification. The Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and other Financial Services (FASSET) has identified a significant bottleneck of Bachelor of Commerce learners at a Level 7, unable to complete a Level 8, preventing them from attaining related professional accounting qualifications. Thus, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants has documented a quantified shortage of Chartered Accountants, and a lack of capacity within Universities to provide sufficient candidates to meet the needs of the country. The Auditor General alone has a calculated shortage of in excess of 1,000 Chartered Accountants. In addition, there are a number of learners failing the qualification who have very little choice in completing their postgraduate CTA education. The qualification will provide an opportunity to the more experienced practitioner in the field of accounting, and will qualify the learner to continue their career in this profession. These learners often require an alternative approach which allows for flexibility in learning styles and modes. This qualification provides a multitude of learning formats to allow for different learning approaches. This qualification will facilitate national recognition of the skills and experience involved in accounting and auditing at a senior management level. It will add value to the sector by recognising the broad range of expertise required to be successful in this field. It will ensure that the required level of knowledge is acquired and applied in relevant working situations, and that the experience necessary to demonstrate sustained competence in a variety of situations is acquired. It allows the professional to progress academically and practically in the field of accounting. This qualification not only provides learners with a path towards becoming a Chartered Accountant, but is also structured to provide learners with workplace skills which are lacking in the current educational market. The qualification is thus to create a job ready productive worker. Practitioners who have earned this qualification will demonstrate competence in a range of advanced accounting and financial management practices and principles. The goal of the qualification is to produce competent professional accountants who will make a positive contribution over their lifetimes to the profession and to the society in which they work. The maintenance of professional competence in the face of increasing change makes it imperative that accountants develop and maintain an attitude of learning to learn. The education and training of professional accountants will provide a foundation of knowledge, skills and professional values that will enable them to continue to learn and adapt to change throughout their professional lives. The qualification structure ensures that the period of training is used effectively and that the learner gains the breadth and diversity of experience required at progressive levels of responsibility. The qualification will enable practitioners to establish themselves as credible leaders in their field, and open doors to advance to top positions within the profession of accounting and auditing. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A relevant Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma would be the usual route to admission for this post-graduate qualification. However, in particular cases, learners without such qualifications, but with proven expertise and competency, will be allowed to apply for admission into the qualification in terms of a process of recognition of prior learning policies. In addition, applicants may apply for exemption from certain modules on the grounds of prior relevant study completed. In all cases, approval by institutional faculty structures applies. All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the institutional RPL Policy. This qualification can be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning. The institution's admission and registration office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment. Institutional lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes. Entry Requirements: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| Compulsory Modules at Level 8, 120 Credits:
|
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Integrate the knowledge of Financial Accounting, Corporate Governance and Auditing, Managerial Accounting and Finance and Taxation.
2. Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in accounting and related fields and apply this knowledge to practical issues faced in the South African business environment. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting and, applying appropriate accounting standards, audit procedures, financial management processes or techniques and tax legislation to unfamiliar problems in the field of accounting. 4. Use a range of specialised accounting and financial skills to identify, analyse and address complex and/or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to the field of accounting. 5. Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems within a general business and accounting context. 6. Critically review information gathering, evaluation and management processes in the accounting and its related fields in order to develop creative and appropriate responses to problems and issues. 7. Present and communicate professional or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Integrated Assessment: Learners are required to submit a capstone project designed to constitute a summative assessment for which they need to achieve a passing grade. Both in this piece of work and in the formal cumulative written assessments the learner's performance will be assessed on the basis of their demonstrated ability to integrate these competencies to the level expected of a professional accountant. In the above situations, the learner will be required to reflect creatively on current real-life problems. Successful solutions to these problems will allow integrated assessment of skills and comprehension in financial accounting, financial management, management accounting, taxation, corporate governance and auditing supported by foundation level knowledge in mathematics, statistics, commercial law, information systems, economics and the environment of business. The Assessment Criteria may be applied across any one or more of the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated way, and requires learners to undertake independent research. The formative assessment in each constituent module takes the form of tutorial questions, classroom debate, email correspondence, forum discussions, telephone discussions, video conference consultations, objective tests and written examinations. The summative assessment is in the form of written examinations. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The qualification has been compared to other comparable accounting qualifications internationally, to ensure that learners meet globally recognised standards.
The Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting. The following modules should be completed to obtain the qualification: The Monash University in Australia offers a Graduate Diploma in Accounting. The Graduate Diploma in Accounting is designed for learners with a degree in a field other than accounting who wish to meet the academic requirements for admission as an associate member of both CPA Australia and the Institute of Public Accountants or entry to the Chartered Accountants Program of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. The following modules should be completed to obtain the qualification: |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows for systemic vertical articulation possibilities such as:
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| 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. |
| 1. | Institute of Accounting Science (Pty) Ltd |
| 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. |