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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110824  Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
Akademia NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  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  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-19  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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 Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting aims to equip learners with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to be confident and independent in a business environment, and to contribute responsibly in the economic reconstruction, development and growth. The acquisition of the skills will also contribute to the development of educated and responsible consumers.

A qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Analyse and interpret financial statements in order to make informed and sound financial and investment decisions.
  • Communicate effectively in a business and economic environment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of and participate in activities that promote effective business operations.
  • Demonstrate an ability to manage and organise themselves effectively within the context of their field or study.
  • Provide the necessary theoretical and vocational education and skills to be employed as a financial officer/manager in the financial industry.
  • Provide the learner with the necessary theoretical and practical foundation required to function on sound principles as a competent financial employee.
  • Fully capable of functioning as a financial manager in the small business industry and meet the high standards required to further and grow the entity where he/she is employed; and thereby becoming a highly in demand employee.
  • Apply the basic concepts and principles of accounting and auditing practice.
  • Apply the basic concepts of the accounting function of an organisation.
  • Perform appropriate business calculations.
  • Make sound financial management decisions.
  • Use basic economic concepts and principles, approaches, techniques and practices.
  • Identify, assess, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems related to financial information.
  • Read critically, understand and integrate financial data and report.
  • Make basic judgement on the value of an item of financially related information.
  • Identify, evaluate and prioritise the significance of local, industrial, national and international political, economic, social and technical information and trends on financially related information.
  • Prepare, analyse and interpret financial reports for different types of business entities in accordance with the objectives of financial reporting, generally accepted accounting practice and statutory disclosure requirements.
  • Describe work performed and conclusions reached in a manner that enhances the reports' usefulness.
  • Employ appropriate media in report preparation and presentation.
  • Prepare appropriate reports for the following levels; executive management, middle management and procedural.

    In addition to the essential accounting and auditing practice skills, learners will gain knowledge of basic economic and management skills to enter the workplace confidently and competitively.

    Rationale:
    The modern business world needs participants with knowledge and understanding of accounting and auditing practice to contribute to the continuing success of the economy as a whole. Successful businesses improve the standard of living of its owners, managers and employees and it creates prosperous communities and a prosperous nation.

    The aim of this qualification is to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to follow a successful career in accounting and auditing practice. The qualification provides the theory and application of the principles of accounting and auditing to ensure that learners have the capacity to develop and grow intellectually. Qualifying learners will be provided with specific skills and applied competence in accounting and its related disciplines that provide opportunities for personal intellectual growth, gainful employment activity and rewarding contributions to society.

    The qualification will enable learners to make a valuable contribution to the world of accounting and auditing practice and in the process enable them to continue and further their discipline-based studies. Furthermore, the qualification will provide South Africa with significant numbers of qualifying learners in accounting and related disciplines who meet the intellectual, technical and personal requirements for direct entry into local and international accounting professional bodies and for entry into Postgraduate academic qualification required for the higher tiers of those professional bodies. In addition, the qualification should also facilitate entry into Postgraduate academic research programmes in order to ensure that the local and international leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly and professional activity is widened. The qualification will address the growing need for qualified and honest bookkeepers, especially in the field of small business enterprises. Qualifying learners will be able to understand business and apply accounting and auditing practice and the related disciplines. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The RPL policy is in place. Learning that has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part of the qualification. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner should demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of an Integrated Assessment.

    This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for accelerated access to further learning. All Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accredited Education and Training Quality Assurance Body and is conducted by a registered workplace assessor.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 355 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 115 Credits:
  • Accounting I, 20 Credits.
  • Cost and management Accounting, 20 Credits.
  • Commercial Law, 20 Credits.
  • Economics, 20 Credits.
  • Compliance and Ethics, 20 Credits.
  • Statistics, 15 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 120 Credits:
  • Accounting II, 20 Credits.
  • Financial Management I, 20 Credits.
  • Auditing I, 20 Credits.
  • Taxation I, 20 Credits.
  • Commercial Law, 20 Credits.
  • Business Information Systems, 20 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7: 120 Credits:
  • Financial Accounting III, 30 Credits.
  • Financial Management II, 30 Credits.
  • Auditing II, 30 Credits.
  • Taxation II, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand the accounting bases with reference to pure theory about what accounting does, as practice determines how it is done.
    2. Understand the relationship between the elements of financial statements i.e. assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenditure.
    3. Explain the duality concept and the double entry system; and understand the basic accounting equation, which forms the basis for determining the financial position.
    4. Comprehend the accounting cycle and explain the recognising of transactions, capturing thereof on source documents and the subsequent recording of transactions in subsidiary journals.
    5. Understand what a ledger is, identify the various ledgers and how postings are made to the ledger accounts and be able to balance these accounts in order to prepare a trial balance. Identify errors in a trial balance and prepare a corrected trial balance.
    6. Knowledge of the necessity of adjustment entries and recording thereof in order to be able to prepare a post-adjustment trial balance.
    7. Application of information in a post-adjustment trial balance in the closing process and preparation of financial statements.
    8. Explain and create a complete accounting system to fulfil the requirements of a specific entity.
    9. Distinguish between cash and cash equivalents, reconcile bank account and bank statement balances; disclose cash and cash equivalents in financial statements.
    10. Understand internal control systems as applied to trade debtors/receivables as well as to trade creditors/payables and disclosure in financial statements as current assets and current liabilities.
    11. Understand the recognition requirements, measurement and disclosure procedures of the elements of inventories.
    12. Explain non-current, tangible assets; record acquisition of these assets on historical cost basis; understand the concept depreciation, annual calculation and recording thereof in ledger accounts, income statement and disclosure in the financial statements.
    13. Understand and account procedures applicable to non-current liabilities such as long-term borrowings and mortgage loans, and disclosure in financial statements.
    14. Give an exposition of the presentation of financial statements in accordance with Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and International Financial Reporting Standards to arrange the theoretical terms in a defined structure, i.e. the conceptual framework.
    15. Understand and define the term permanent partnership; explain the characteristics and transactions relating to the determination and distribution of profit of a permanent partnership, prepare financial statements of a permanent partnership.
    16. Prepare departmental statements of comprehensive income and evaluate departmental performance.
    17. Comprehend the specific concepts relating to entities not having profit as their main objective, account for transactions and prepare different types of financial statements relevant to such non-profit entities.
    18. Knowledge of principal aspects pertaining to ratio analysis, the need for ratio analysis, identify and apply techniques used in the analysis of financial statements.
    19. Knowledge of types of companies, the characteristics, formation and incorporation of a company. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate the effective communication of information reliably and coherently in the accounting, auditing and associated disciplines, using appropriate and professional formats.
  • Apply the acquired competence as reflected in the communication through the participation in accounting, auditing and associated disciplines related activities.
  • Demonstrate the application of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of accounting, auditing and associated disciplines in the interaction with selected appropriate groups through participation in business and marketing related activities.
  • Show an understanding of the interrelatedness of the different areas of accounting and auditing and how actions, ideas or developments impact on applications of theory and practice.
  • Evaluate, select and apply the appropriate applications and techniques to solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
  • Show the ability to work independently and as part of a team, taking responsibility for decisions made.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and social implications of accounting and auditing actions on the organisation, community and society at large by analysing existing societal structures; and Identify own learning needs and support the learning needs of others.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and Summative Assessment methods will be used to Assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no student is disadvantaged. Learning, teaching and assessment are in line with each other.

    The term 'Integrated Assessment' implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

    A variety of methods must therefore be used in assessment. Tools and activities must be appropriate to the context in which the student is working. Where it is not possible to assess the student in the workplace or on-the-job, simulations, case studies and other similar techniques should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.

    Assessment methods include:
  • Self-assessment activities.
  • Knowledge tests.
  • Case studies.
  • Report writing.
  • Research and project based assignments.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This comparison was done with the following international institutions:
  • Australia, Bond University, Bachelor of Commerce.
  • New Zealand, University of Canterbury, Bachelor of Commerce.
  • New Zealand, university of Otago, Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting.

    The outcomes, Assessment Criteria, Degree of difficulty and the notional learning time of international qualifications were used to develop and compare the qualification. The qualification has been compared and mapped against three international qualifications in order to benchmark it to determine possible articulation with and progression to qualifications that were design with similar outcomes in mind.

    A direct comparison of the title, specific outcomes, assessment criteria and embedded knowledge was undertaken with each, and the best of these, written in a South African context, were incorporated into this qualification.

    The duration and some modules of the qualification are similar to the international qualifications such as following modules:
  • Accounting (All three international institution offer a similar module).
  • Economics (All three international institution offer a similar module).
  • Compliance and Ethics (One institution offer a similar module).
  • Commercial Law (One institution offer a similar module). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Accounting, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Accountancy, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accountancy, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy, Level 8. 
    		•

    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. Akademia NPC 


    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.