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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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Diploma: Office Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
35958  Diploma: Office Administration 
ORIGINATOR
Institute of Administration and Commerce (The) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
FASSET - Financial and Accounting Services SETA  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Office Administration 
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   2028-06-30  

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 
This programme provides an opportunity for the learner to acquire a range of administrative skills crucial to the successful functioning of any organisation. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Depending on the curriculum selected, students should be aware that adequate language and numeracy skills are necessary for coping with the demands of the curriculum.

Apart from the formal requirements, learners who register for entry into this qualification at level 5 should
  • Have the information-gathering, analysis and presentation skills required at exit level 4 on the NQF
  • Be able to comprehend what they have learned and to communicate it reliably, accurately, and comprehensively in the required medium of instruction
  • Be able to begin to take responsibility for their own learning and its progress within a well-structured and managed learning environment
  • Be able to evaluate their own performance 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Subfield: Financial Accounting
  • Level: NQF5 - The competent learner can understand the basic principles of accounting and apply them to the affairs of sole traders, thereby enabling the basic interpretation of financial records and statements.

    Subfield: Administrative Practice
  • Level: NQF6 - The competent learner will be thoroughly conversant with current legal and administrative principles for the proper administration of a company and close corporation and for the proper directing of a company.
  • Level: NQF6 - The competent learner will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the current legal provisions concerning Companies and Close Corporations.

    Subfield: Human Resources Management
  • Level: NQF6 - The competent learner will solve problems and achieve objectives when working with other people in an organizational context, demonstrating an understanding of human behaviour

    Subfield: Public Relations
  • Level: NQF5 - The competent learner will carry out a range of communication tasks involving the analysis, contextualisation and synthesis of written material dealing with actual communication problems, and utilise public relations principles and techniques in a practical way that will help solve particular communication problems; through creative use of ordinary channels and media of communication

    Subfield: Management
  • Level NQF5 - The competent learner will be conversant with the basic principles and practices of general management.
  • Level NQF5 - The competent learner will be able to apply management principles in a broad range of management disciplines and demonstrate an understanding of ethical codes and social responsibility
  • Level NQF6 - The competent learner will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of management as an integrated, interactive discipline making effective use of organisational resources according to best practice.

    Subfield: Law
  • Level: NQF5 - The competent learner can understand and apply the basic principles of law which affect business relationships and transactions within the scope of the administration of companies and other organisations.

    Subfield: Business and Office Administration
  • Level: NQF6 - The competent learner, with an advanced knowledge of office administration and with skills in office procedure, will perform with self-confidence the role of an executive assistant to management, or office administrator. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Subfield: Financial Accounting

    Level: NQF5
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the double entry system of accounting
  • Write up and construct journals suitable for various business enterprises.
  • Account for cash
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the accrual basis of accounting
  • Demonstrate the ability to deal with the valuation of assets
  • Prepare financial statements of a sole trader in acceptable form:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of control accounts
  • Demonstrate the ability to reconcile accounts
  • Demonstrate an understanding of departmental accounts
  • Prepare the accounts of non-profit organisations
  • Prepare financial statements from incomplete records
  • Prepare elementary cash flow statements
  • Handle elementary cash flow problems
  • Demonstrate an understanding of partnership accounting


    Subfield: Administrative Practice

    Level: NQF6
  • Form and administer a close corporation
  • Form and administer companies

    Level: NQF6
  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the Companies Act, the Close Corporations Act and the Insider Trading Act
  • Apply knowledge of relevant legislation to practical situations in the formation and management of corporate bodies
  • Provide suitable advice to corporate bodies about legislative issues affecting their operation


    Subfield: Human Resources Management

    Level: NQF6
  • Explain the meaning and nature of Organisational Behaviour.
  • Provide an introduction to a behavioral approach to management.
  • Be aware of the complex nature of the individual in work organisations.
  • Explain main influences on behaviour in work organisations and the nature of behavioural science.
  • Outline the individual`s contribution to the organisation and the factors affecting behaviour and performance.
  • Investigate personalities and human behaviours and compare attitudes.
  • Analyse perception
  • Explain the learning process
  • Use problem solving techniques
  • Demonstrate the need for better job designs
  • Explain intrinsic and extrinsic job factors
  • Define job satisfaction and discuss the importance thereof
  • Analyse the concept of participative management
  • Discuss stress and the desire to succeed
  • Identify sources of stress in the work environment.
  • Analyse motivation and the effects on the employee in the organisation.
  • Determine goal setting
  • Identify reinforcements
  • Analyse the relationship between money motivation
  • Identify the relationship process and compare the relationship between directing and leading
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of communication in the working environment
  • Explain the meaning and nature of groups.
  • Define small groups and demonstrate and understanding of the nature of intergroup behaviour.
  • Analyse the diverse factors that arise as a result of organisational change and to investigate the principles of organisational development.
  • Linking management theory to practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues


    Subfield: Public Relations

    Level: NQF5
  • Plan a public relations programme for any given situation. This implies being able not only to interpret case material reasonably accurately, but also being able to show the reasoned and systematic application of principles and techniques in solving the communication problem inherent in the material presented.
  • Summarise the various methods open to public relations practitioners to objectively measure how particular target publics regard an organisation.
  • Identify the reasons for conducting research, both before a public relations programme has been planned (to help determine what the programme needs to address), as well as after the programme has been implemented (to measure its effectiveness in changing attitudes) must be illustrated.
  • Explain how to work with specialist research companies.
  • Distinguish clearly between the advantages and disadvantages of the independent private practitioner and the corporate practitioner employed by the organisation concerned.
  • Explain how to estimate the cost of the various aspects of the public relations function, from the setting up of the in-house department, through working with an independent consultancy to the manpower and money requirements for implementing public relations projects and programmes.
  • Explain the different nature of public relations practice in different types of organisation, in terms of the variety of social and economic contexts in which organisations operate.
  • Analyse a problem situation and provide solutions.


    Subfield: Management

    Level NQF5
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how management theories have developed
  • Explain the process of management and the environment in which it functions
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of the four main tasks of management and how they interrelate
  • Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the business environment
  • Define and explain the principles of planning
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of organizing
  • Explain the decision-making process
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and theories of leadership.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the concept of motivation.
  • Demonstrate the relevance of communication theory in management
  • Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the concept of control in management.
  • Discuss how change and conflict in organisations may be managed

    Level NQF5
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, aspects of the marketing process and the integrated marketing strategy in an organisation:
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, aspects of the operations management function in an organisation:
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, aspects of the purchasing function and activities in an organisation:
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, aspects of the financial function and management in an organisation:
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, the following aspects of the provision, development and maintenance of human resources in an organisation:
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, aspects of the public relations function in an organisation:
  • Be aware of aspects of the information function in an organisation
  • Explain, using practical, work-related examples, aspects of the social responsibility and business ethics in an organisation.

    Level NQF6
  • Effectively and efficiently use all available resources in order to maximise the organisation`s survivability, growth (future expansion), profitability.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key role played by the chief executive officer in an organisation
  • Apply organisation development (OD) principles with a view to the long-term transformation of the organisation to improve its effectiveness and adaptability.
  • Establish the extent to which the organisation has met its goals and the identification of areas which have the potential for improvement .
  • Demonstrate an understanding that the basis of all management decision-making is the access to and the use of operational and strategic information.
  • Identify and discuss issues of significance which affect the majority of organisations in Southern Africa in the present and foreseeable future.


    Subfield: Law

    Level: NQF5
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the nature, sources and classification of the law.
  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the law of contract.
  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the law of purchase and sale.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the law governing credit agreements.
  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the law of lease.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of the law of employment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the law of agency.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the law of partnership.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the law governing negotiable instruments.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the law governing securities.


    Subfield: Business and Office Administration

    Level: NQF6
  • Demonstrate an understanding of management functions and organisational structure
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of supervision
  • Demonstrate an understanding of forms of ownership
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of insurance
  • Carry out a number of human resources functions
  • Demonstrate an understanding of financial activities
  • Scan the media for relevant information
  • Carry out forms analysis


    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualifications is achieved

    Assessment is conducted in several ways:
  • Self-assessment which is carried out by the learners on a daily basis, and which improves the quality of learning and mastery;
  • Formative assessment by means of contact tuition during the course of their studies
  • Continuous assessment incorporating assignments.
  • Summative assessment by way of examinations at six monthly intervals

    The above provides for a holistic approach to assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    N/A 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    IAC Preliminary Certificate in Business Studies (NQF Level 4)
  • Open Access
  • Matric/Grade 12/Mature Age Exemption/RPL

    IAC Certificate for Office Administration (NQF Level 5)
  • Matric/Grade 12/Mature Age Exemption/RPL
  • IAC Preliminary Certificate in Business Studies

    IAC Higher Certificate for Office Administration (NQF Level 5)
  • IAC Certificate for Office Administration

    IAC Diploma for Office Administration (NQF Level 6)
  • IAC Higher Certificate for Office Administration

    In addition, there are articulation possibilities with other qualifications as indicated below:

    Subject-for-Subject Exemptions
  • Only students who have passed subjects at tertiary (post-Senior Certificate) level may apply for exemptions.
  • Only subjects examined by formal academic institutions such as universities, technikons or recognised professional bodies are considered, especially where an M+3 rating from the Human Sciences Research Council applies.
  • The examining body must be recognised by the IAC.
  • The examinations and syllabuses must be comparable both in standard and content.

    The following examining bodies are recognised:
  • Technikons (National Certificates, Diplomas and higher qualifications).
  • South African Universities (Bachelor Degrees and higher qualifications). (These universities should be affiliated to the South African Vice-Chancellors` Association - formerly the Committee of University Principals).
  • Specific recognised foreign universities, polytechnics or colleges.
  • The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB)

    The following professional institutes are recognised:
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • Institute of Bankers in South Africa (IBSA)
  • Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (Fellowship level) (ICB)
  • Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (CIS)
  • Institute of Marketing Management (IMM)
  • Institute of People Management (IPM)
  • Insurance Institute of Southern Africa (IISA)
  • South African Institute of Management (SAIM)

    Reciprocal arrangements exist with the bodies listed above.

    Exemptions are granted on a subject-for-subject basis.

    Subject exemptions must be applied for on the official IAC Subject Exemption Form and must be accompanied by:
  • Certified copies of detailed academic statements (indicating subject names, actual percentages/or an explanation of symbols)
  • The subject exemption fee(s). Exemptions will not be recorded until the student has paid the exemption fee(s).

    Note:
  • The IAC does not exempt from Level 3 (major) subjects.
  • The IAC reserves the right to request whatever information it may deem necessary to consider any subject exemption, and its decisions regarding exemptions are final.
  • The maximum number of subjects that can be exempted in a single IAC diploma is ten. NB: This exemption policy (subject-for-subject) is relevant to students with complete OR incomplete qualifications.
  • An exemption will NOT be granted where a student has written and failed the IAC examination and later claims exemption by virtue of a pass with another examining body unless permission has been obtained in writing from the Exemption Committee. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Registration with the Financial Accounting Services SETA (FASSET) is pending. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Criteria for the registration of assessors
  • A tertiary qualification with at least a fourth year in the discipline
  • Business/lecturing experience for at least five years in the discipline or field
  • At least two years` examining experience
  • Not lecturing to IAC students in the subject which he/she examines
  • Membership of the Professional Institutes in the appropriate discipline (where applicable)
  • Able to set examination papers in English
  • Available in the time cycles after the examination for marking/moderation
  • Where the examiner is an academic, the moderator should ideally be a practitioner and vice versa
  • Qualified as an assessor with the SETA (this will become a requirement, for 2003) 
    		•

    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.
     
    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.