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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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
36213	National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
ORIGINATOR
SGB HET Accountancy and Financial Management
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		Finance, Economics and Accounting
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	251	Level 5	NQF Level 05	Regular-Unit Stds Based
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 replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
20364	Diploma: Registered Accounting Technician	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	240	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

This Qualification is designed to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to be appointed as Financial Accounting Technicians who have an important role to play, either as support staff to the Accountant, where they provide Accounting and Financial Management support in the field of Accounting and Financial Management in medium to large organisations or by assuming the role of Accountant in a smaller organisation, where an outsourced registered Chartered Accountant provides the service of supervision and monitoring. The National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting: Level 5 is for individuals who, for whatever reason, are unable to continue or do not wish to continue with their studies to become Registered Chartered Accountants. Financial Accounting Technicians are in very short supply, as all organisations need to be provided with the type of work they do. In most cases, the Financial Accounting Technician can provide a full Accounting service to a small organisation, under supervision of an off-site Chartered Accountant. Whilst it is clearly important that the learner should be competent in using modern information technology, most of the Unit Standards for Accounting in this Qualification avoid reference to specific methods of processing data. The knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required by the learner are defined in terms of outcomes rather than processes. In the case of basic Bookkeeping, for instance, it is important that a learner understands and is able to apply the double-entry system even though a standard computer package might be used in practice for most routine tasks. A competent learner must understand the manual procedures in order to deal with any errors, even if he/she does not perform the manual procedures him/herself. The National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting; Level 5 is designed to provide learners with those competencies rather than proficiency in using software packages, which are used commercially to perform routine Accounting functions. This Qualification is designed with the objective of encouraging the widest possible access to the Accounting profession and Accounting Qualifications. Accounting Qualifications have traditionally been pursued by a variety of individuals including those who are not at the time employed in an Accounting function, e.g. the unemployed, those temporarily out of the employment market and those seeking to change their occupation. This Qualification and the Assessment Criteria and guidelines which accompany them have been designed to ensure that access to NQF registered Qualifications in Accounting is not limited to those who are employed in an Accounting function. The National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting: Level 5 can be seen as a first Qualification in a long line of Accounting Qualifications offered by a wide range of professional Accounting bodies and tertiary institutions at various levels on the NQF. Successful completion of this Qualification will give the learner the knowledge and skills required not only to perform his/her Accounting job efficiently, but also to proceed on a path of life-long learning with one of the Qualifications at NQF Level 6 Rationale This Qualification has been developed as a coherent set of "generic" competences in Accounting so that it applies to a wide range of different types of Accounting jobs in a variety of organisations. Transferable core competences for broadly defined areas of Accounting activity have been identified and included in this Qualification as they apply to all employees involved in an Accounting role in any organisation. Some of the individual competencies, particularly those in large organisations relating to a specific job in the field have also been included in the Qualification, where these might have a broader applicability for learners. One of the primary reasons why businesses fail is because inadequate control is maintained over the financial affairs of the company with costs being allowed to exceed budget and income, as well as inadequate record keeping of creditors and debtors, for example. This Qualification aims at equipping learners to perform the Accounting function in small organisations and to provide support to Accountants and Financial Managers in medium and large organisations so that the Accounting and Financial management functions can be more effectively performed to avoid those and other problems. Learners completing this qualification will be able to be employed as Financial Accounting Technicians who do work that requires fundamental knowledge of and the application of basic Bookkeeping and Accounting procedures in a variety of situations. They require a range of skills and the ability to apply essential methods and procedures within the limits of their authority. Their work roles are in general Accounting and Financial Management where they lend support to the Accountant and/or the Financial Manager of medium to large organisations. They also perform a wide range of Accounting and Financial Management tasks independently in small companies but under the indirect supervision of an external Accountant in terms of legal requirements, in different industries and in commercial and industrial organisations. The National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting: Level 5 is a first step for learners who Have attained an FETC and who wish to proceed on a path of life-long learning specialising in Accountancy. Have performed an Accounting and/or Bookkeeping function in their organisation for some time without a formal Qualification in Accounting. Were previously disadvantaged and who were unable to engage in learning in the Higher Education band. Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of the Accounting profession so that they can become knowledge workers in the sector. Are contracted in a learnership agreement in the Accounting sector. Have recently taken up a position as a support staff member in an Accounting section of a medium to large organisation. Have not yet acquired the skills and competencies required for learning as Chartered Accountants. The National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting: Level 5 is a Qualification that rewards the learner for the knowledge, skills attitudes and values that have been mastered through awarding him/her with a nationally recognised Qualification that formally recognises those competencies. It is flexible enough to accommodate both learners in formal education and learners already employed in the Accounting support field. It aims to develop informed and skilled learners in Accounting and Financial Management, which is a vital sector in business, commerce and industry. The Qualification at this level is the start of a career path in Accountancy and/or Financial Management and is generic enough to allow maximum mobility within the Accounting and Financial Management sectors. Skills, knowledge, values and attitudes reflected in the Qualification are building blocks that can be developed further in Accounting or Financial Management Qualifications at Level 6. The intention is to: Promote the development of knowledge and skills that are required in the Accounting and financial management fields. Release the potential of people. Provide opportunities for people to move up the value chain. Provide opportunities for life long learning for people who work at the lower levels in the Accounting sectors and even in more senior levels in the Bookkeeping sector.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is presumed that learners entering this Qualification have achieved a Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) with Accounting at NQF Level 4, or an Accounting Qualification registered at NQF level 4. Recognition of Prior Learning This Qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through a process of RPL. Recognition of Prior Learning means a comparison of the learner`s previous learning howsoever obtained, against the learning outcomes required for this Qualification in terms of the Specific Outcomes of the constituent Unit Standards and the Exit Level Outcomes of the Qualification as a whole and crediting the learner with the knowledge and skills and competencies already mastered. The learner will be credited with the Unit Standards already mastered and will not need to prove competence in them again. If competence can be shown in all the outcomes, the complete Qualification can be awarded to the candidate. Procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning A learner requesting RPL will have an initial informal discussion with a registered assessor to establish if there is a likely case for RPL. The basis for RPL will be that the learner has already mastered the some or all of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values contained in the Qualification and can demonstrate the required competence. The learner will be expected to present evidence that the outcomes have been covered to the required level. The main sources of evidence of competence are: Evidence from prior achievement. Evidence from performance in the workplace. Evidence from performance in specifically set activities. A combination of the above sources of evidence is likely and where possible this should be collected in the candidate`s Accounting environment. Regardless of the source of evidence, the assessment should be checked bearing in mind the following non-negotiables: Validity - does the evidence relate to the specific outcomes to be assessed. Authenticity - can the evidence be attributed to the learner. Sufficiency - is there enough evidence to meet all the criteria needed to certify the learner as competent. Currency - is the evidence related to current competence. The assessor applying RPL could use any of the following tools and techniques to assess competence: Performance of an Accounting task in the workplace Questioning the learner about the task Written evidence that the learner is able to undertake the task in terms of previous work experience Simulation of an Accounting task Case studies Preparation of written reports Evidence from workplace appraisal Interpretation of Accounting information Evidence of minutes, notes and working papers relating to meetings Verification of completed work Training records Testimonials In-company short courses Certificates and Qualification The learner could be required to prepare a portfolio, which will comprise a collection of evidence of prior learning.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

Y

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The qualifying learner will be able to: 1. Process documents relating to goods and services supplied and received 2. Maintain records relating to capital acquisition and disposal 3. Input, store and output data 4. Provide costing reports 5. Highlight trends in costs and make suggestions for the reduction of costs and adding value to the organisation 6. Prepare cost estimates for work activities and projects 7. Contribute to the planning and conducting of an audit 8. Classify and record Accounting and non-financial data. 9. Take responsibility for the management of cash and credit. 10. Perform tax computations, prepare returns for business and individuals and submit all required tax returns Depending on the electives chosen learners will also be able to: 1. Administer the estate of deceased persons. 2. Assist with the winding up of an insolvent estate and the liquidation of a company within the context of financial management. 3. Interpret statutes and the basic structures of the South African legal system within the context of the Accounting profession.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Process documents relating to goods and services supplied and received. Payments are received, recorded and receipts issued according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. Authorised payments are prepared according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. Payments are made and recorded according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. Bank transactions are balanced according to accepted accounting practice. Ledger balances, control accounts, and an initial trial balance are drafted according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. 2. Maintain records relating to capital acquisition and disposal. Income and receipts are recorded according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. Information for the preparation of final accounts is collected and collated according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. The extended trial balance is prepared according to accepted accounting practice and organisational policy. The structure and purpose of financial statements from various organisations are interpreted and understood and explained with examples. Close corporation, limited company, sole trader and partnership year end financial statements are drafted from a trial balance according to accepted accounting practice. Periodic performance reports, reports and returns for outside agencies and VAT returns are prepared and presented as required. 3. Input, store and output data. Risk to data held on a computer system is minimised through the application of safety precautions. Information technology is used as an essential tool when undertaking Accounting activities. 4. Provide costing reports. Comparisons on cost versus income are made to assist with financial management of the organisation. Information relating to direct costs is recorded and analysed according to organisational policy and procedures. Overhead costs are allocated , apportioned and recommendations on absorption made to aid effective financial management of the organisation. Standard cost reports are prepared and presented within an Accounting environment. 5. Contribute to the planning and conducting of an audit. Information is collected and analysed to assist in highlighting trends in costs and to make suggestions for the reduction of costs and adding value to the organisation. Forecasts of income and expenditure are produced to assist with budgeting. Performance is monitored against budgets so that assistance can be given with planning and allocation of resources 6. Information is analysed to identify current costs and future trends in order to recommend ways to improve cost ratios and revenue generation. 6. Prepare cost estimates for work activities and projects. Cost estimates for operations are prepared for a quarter, half-year and the financial year. Possible exigencies are anticipated and listed in case they occur so that timeous planning can be done to keep ,the budget on track. 7. Contribute to the planning and conducting of an audit. Related draft reports are prepared within a supervised environment so as to assist with the audit Work activities within the Accounting environment are coordinated with a focus on responsibility for the planning and monitoring of work activities, Contingencies and any problems or queries relating to the audit are dealt with Accounting systems are monitored and reviewed to ensure that they enable the prevention of fraud within the system. 8. Classify and record Accounting and non-financial data. Accounting and non-financial data required for the accounting function is recognised, measured, classified and recorded so that the required reports can be drawn up and recommendations made. 9. Take responsibility for the management of cash and credit Cash expenditure is monitored and controlled according to accounting principles and organisational procedures Responsibility is taken for the monitoring, controlling and managing of credit granted to and by the organisation and appropriate recommendations made when problems are encountered Debts are controlled and kept within organisational limits with appropriate action taken with problem debtors. 10. Perform tax computations, prepare returns for business and individuals and submit all required tax returns Tax computations are performed for the organisation and employees according to the relevant current tax tables The relevant tax returns for business and individuals are prepared and submitted by due date. These include provisional tax returns and Secondary Tax on Company (STC) returns, SITE and PAYE returns Laws relating to estate duty are interpreted and applied where necessary to taxes levied Gross income of employees is calculated so that the correct SITE and PAYE deductions may be made Income exempt from tax is determined and deductions and allowances calculated in order to determine the employees portion of taxable income Advice is given to employees on suitable ways to structure their salary packages for maximum tax efficiency related to their personal circumstances. Electives 1. Administer the estate of deceased persons Laws and statutes applying to the estates of deceased persons are interpreted correctly and applied to an estate. The estate is administered and wound up using the applicable laws, statutes and regulations. 2. Assist with the winding up of an insolvent estate and the liquidation of a company within the context of financial management Laws and statutes applying to an insolvent estate are interpreted correctly and applied to an estate. The estate is administered and wound up using the applicable laws, statutes and regulations Laws and statutes applying to the liquidation of an insolvent company are interpreted correctly and applied to an insolvent company An insolvent company is liquidated and the necessary payments made and returns completed. 3. Interpret statutes and the basic structures of the South African legal system within the context of the Accounting profession Statutes and legislation which apply to the South African Accounting profession are identified and their implication for Accounting practice explained The basic structures of the South African legal system are understood and the way in which they impinge on the members of the accounting profession explained with examples. Integrated Assessment Considerable variations exist in the opportunities available to learners for the demonstration of competence in the workplace. In very large organisations, departments may carry out highly specialised functions, which mean that staff may be exposed to a very narrow range of activities. In small organisations, the work of learners may be more varied. In some organisations, job rotation may be built into the system permitting the learner to demonstrate competence in a range of functions. Assessment for this Accounting Qualification must take into account this variety and must provide opportunities for all candidates to demonstrate competence within a reasonable timescale whatever their circumstances. Where the learner is not currently employed, the assessor should simulate the work environment as realistically as possible. Evidence of competence can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, however the following guidelines need to be borne in mind when learners are assessed: All the Specific Outcomes in the Unit Standards and the Exit Level Outcomes must be assessed The evidence of competence must relate clearly to the Unit Standards and exit level Outcomes The evidence should cover the range of contexts for the Unit Standards and Exit level Outcomes. In circumstances where it is not possible to assess performance across the whole range of situations, the collection of supplementary evidence should ensure that the full range is covered. Assessors must be able to distinguish between those who are competent and those who are not yet competent. The assessment methods must be capable of verification. Assessors should design assessment tools and conduct assessments against the Unit Standards specified in the Qualification as well as the exit level outcomes in an integrated way. Assessment of competence will be done through a combination of formative and summative assessment tools, techniques and procedures, which do not discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way. Formative assessment will integrate theory with practice. A final summative assessment combining theory and practical competencies will be done through learners writing a series of Examinations covering all learning areas.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Unit Standards used in this Qualification are those developed by the ACFIST SGB and registered on the NQF. Those Unit Standards were compared with the Standards of Competence of the United Kingdom Lead Body for Accountants (January 2000) and a 100% match was found. The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA), based in the United Kingdom, has evaluated this Qualification and successful learners may apply for membership of this body. The IFA is the largest non-chartered body of Professional Accountants in the United Kingdom and is represented in over 80 countries worldwide.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This Qualification articulates horizontally with the Qualifications offered by CIMA, IPFA, CIGA, IMFO and the ICB and in particular with the: Certificate in Business Accounting: Level 5. Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The Qualification articulates vertically with the following Qualifications: CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting. National Diploma in Management Accounting: Level 6. Qualifications of other professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Learners will be able to apply for Fellow membership of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Ltd, the largest professional body in the world offering Qualifications at NQF levels 3, 4 and 5.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant EQTA. Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant EQTA. Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant EQTA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below. Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant EQTA. Formative assessment will be conducted internally by the provider with moderation being done by the relevant ETQA.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Anyone performing assessment to determine competence for this Qualification should: Hold a Qualification in Accounting or Management Accounting that is registered at NQF Level 6 or above. Be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. Be currently employed in the Accounting or a related Financial Management field. Be a current member of a professional body in the Accounting field.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. This qualification replaces 20364: Diploma: Registered Accounting Technician, NQF Level 5, 240 credits.

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	13018	Contribute to the Implementation of auditing procedures	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	12
Core	12999	Contribute to the management of costs and the enhancement of value	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	13000	Contribute to the planning and allocation of resources within an accounting framework	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	13015	Draft financial statements	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	12
Core	12983	Interpret statutes and provide basic information on South African legislation as it relates to the accounting function	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	12995	Maintain financial records and prepare general ledger accounts	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	12
Core	12989	Make and record payments	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	13014	Manage accounting systems	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	13016	Operate a cash management and credit control system	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	13019	Prepare business tax returns	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	12
Core	12997	Prepare financial reports and returns	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	12990	Prepare ledger balances and an initial trial balance	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	13020	Prepare personal tax returns	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	12998	Produce spreadsheets using accounting related information technology	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	12988	Record income and receipts	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	12996	Record, analyse and prepare cost information	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	12994	Supply costing information for management control	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	12991	Work with information technology in an accounting environment	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Core	13025	Determine what is taxable income	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	16
Core	12975	Interpret and apply the laws and procedures related to taxes levied	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	8
Core	12976	Interpret and apply the laws and procedures relating to the duty which is levied on the estates of deceased persons	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	8
Core	12935	Recognise, measure, classify and record financial and non-financial data	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	8
Fundamental	8662	Analyse and communicate workplace data	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Fundamental	8647	Apply workplace communication skills	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Fundamental	8648	Demonstrate an understanding of professional values and ethics	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Elective	12992	Achieve personal effectiveness in an accounting environment	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Elective	12982	Administer and wind up insolvent estates	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Elective	12981	Administer and wind up the of estates of deceased persons	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Elective	12945	Design, evaluate and apply cost management systems and techniques in the business environment	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	12
Elective	13067	Evaluate and advise on costing and cost management information for material, labour and overheads	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Elective	13066	Evaluate and provide costing and cost management information	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	6
Elective	13069	Provide costing information on the management of accounting information systems	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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

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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.