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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: 

Diploma in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112689  Diploma in Accounting 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  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 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-10-30  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 Diploma in Accounting provides learners with knowledge and skills to perform reporting functions, rendering taxation services and management advisory services. Also, convert this embedded knowledge practically into an accounting software qualification.

The qualification provide a well-rounded, technically focussed education that equips learners with the technical knowledge, proficiency and pervasive skills. Thus, learners will demonstrate initiative and responsibility as well as develop practical and operational focussed qualities.

Rationale:
The institution designed this qualification in consultation with the Association of Accounting Technicians (SA) and recognised as a requirement to practise as an Accounting Technician. This qualification also requires learners to have a thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of the profession or career concerned and the ability to apply these to professional or career contexts. The qualification will enhance the learner's opportunities to attain employment within the accounting profession or for further learning in this field.

Learners will become accounting professionals to relieve the shortage of accountancy related skills in South Africa and the rest of Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Prospective learners may apply for RPL by following the procedures as per the RPL policy document. The institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. All learning has value, and the institution will assess prior learning and award credit that is aligned with the qualifications to promote lifelong learning.

The purpose of the Institution's RPL policy is to recognise prior learning. RPL will provide learners access into qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules on the principles and processes that serve as the basis for the RPL practices:
  • Through RPL, a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution;
  • Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the CBE;
  • RPL in the case of a student not complying with the formal entry requirements;
  • Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience;
  • Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level;
  • Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification;
  • Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee and.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirements for this qualification are:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate (SC) without endorsement. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 364 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 242 Credits:
  • Financial Accounting 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Computer Skills 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Mathematics for Finance and Business 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Finance 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Ethics 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Finance 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship1B, 12 Credits.
  • Mathematics for Finance and Business 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Management Accounting 2A, 15 Credits.
  • Auditing 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 2A, 16 Credits.
  • Taxation 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Management Accounting 2B, 15 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 2B, 16 Credits.
  • Economics 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Business Management 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Business Management 1B, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 122 Credits:
  • Auditing 3A, 15 Credits.
  • Management Accounting 3A, 15 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Taxation 3A, 15 Credits.
  • Auditing 3B, 15 Credits.
  • Management Accounting 3B, 15 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 3B, 16 Credits.
  • Taxation 3B, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Interpret financial frameworks relevant to the accounting environment.
    2. Perform basic financial management calculations.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects and implications of specified systems, situations, specified bodies of content and the effect in the accounting environment.
    4. Exhibit an ability to reflect with self and others, critical of own and other people's thoughts and actions, and capable of self-organisation and working in groups in the face of continual challenges in the financial accounting environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Perform accountancy calculations correctly;
  • Interpret and explain calculation outcomes;
  • Identify appropriate corrective actions from the outcomes interpreted;
  • Suggest necessary actions to reap benefits from the outcomes interpreted.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Define financial management concepts;
  • Differentiate between compound interest and single interest;
  • Perform time value of money calculations;
  • Calculate the weighted average cost of capital.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Describe the critical aspects of specified systems in the accounting environment;
  • Interpret different situations and implications of specified bodies of content; and;
  • Explain the effects of different situations and implications of specified bodies of content in the accounting environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Reflect with self and others, critical of own and other people's thoughts and actions, and
  • Demonstrate a capability of self-organisation and working in groups in the face of challenge in the financial accounting environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment across the qualification forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process for this qualification. In achieving the Exit Level Outcomes, learners must comply with the minimum assessments set for the level of the qualification, as per the Institution's Assessment Policy. Assessments vary depending on the module and the outcomes of the module. However, all modules are formatively and summatively assessed. The assessment of theoretical modules is usually in the form of assignments, practicals and written tests or examinations. The weighting of the different assessments toward the calculation of the final mark.

    Integrated assessments/case studies also take place through a variety of assignments, for example, those completed in industry or those that assess aggregated knowledge acquired (such as in a capstone module).

    Formative and summative assessment.
    Formative assessment opportunities are not formally recorded and take the form of class tests, question and answer sessions and monitoring of practical work.

    Summative assessment leads to the final mark per the institution's Assessment Policy. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Country: USA.
  • Institution: Florida Institute of Technology.
  • Qualification Title: BA Accounting.

    Focus areas are:
    Mastering eLearning, Global Business perspectives, Business Computer Skills, First-Year Writing, writing about literature, Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Cost Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Economics, Law, Finance etc.
    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the Florida Institute of Technology in terms of the following: Computer skills, Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Economics, Finance, Business Management, Business mathematics.
  • Country: Canada.
  • Institution: Athabasca University.
  • Qualification Title: University Certificate in Accounting.

    Focus areas are:
    Financial accounting, Cost Analysis, Economics, Statistics, Commercial Law, plus six electives: This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the Athabasca University in terms of the following: Financial Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Business Mathematics, Economics, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Taxation.
  • Country: USA.
  • Institution: PENN Foster College.
  • Qualification Title: Accounting Associate Degree.

    Focus areas are:
    Basic skills assessment, Information literacy, Introduction to business, Art appreciation, Mathematics for Business and Finance, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, English, Principles of Management, Economics, Financial Management, Cost accounting, Computer applications in accounting.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the Penn Foster College in terms of the following modules: Financial accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Business Mathematics, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Computer skills. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Financial Markets, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Accountancy, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma Financial Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.