[Registered Qual & Unit Std Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
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: 

Higher Certificate in Accounting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86487  Higher Certificate 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
Higher Certificate  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 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Accounting, Level 5 is to provide the learner with knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of the context and strategies relevant to basic financial and cost accounting processes. This includes the legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, basic statement analysis and other associated functions. The completion of this qualification will aid the learner to understand the importance of the correct and accurate application of appropriate accounting principles and theory.

The qualification will support those learners with no accounting knowledge to progress to a cognate Diploma and thus progress along a financial management learning and career pathway. The accounting field offers a wide range of career opportunities to suit all interests including auditing and assurance work, financial management, bank and insurance management, multinational fund management, investment analysis, financial research, portfolio management, investment analysis, corporate advising, management consulting, corporate finance, IT consulting, tax planning and advising and Human Resources (HR) and insolvency advising.

This qualification will enable the learner to:
  • Evaluate, select and apply appropriate accounting techniques and skills.
  • Communicate information coherently and reliably using appropriate format.
  • Explain and apply the main areas of accounting and associated practice.
  • Apply general principles and behaviour of working ethically in an accounting environment.
  • Explain and operate business information systems to carry out accounting practices.

    Rationale:

    Due to the recession that our economy is going through, many industries are cutting down on jobs. One area of business that is still thriving is accounting. Various businesses are realising how important it is to cut down on costs to make their business more profitable during this time of economic crisis. They also realise how important it is to have and to apply a strict set of internal financial controls and practices to make their business more efficient. The only way to ensure that both of these can happen is through stringent accounting practices.

    The area of accounting and finance is an integral and important part of any business of any size. Many directors and senior managers of successful organisations started their careers in the accounting field. The Higher Certificate in Accounting, Level 5 will assist learners to begin their careers in financial management. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4
  • Communication at NQF Level 4
  • The theoretical, practical, and academic knowledge and understanding required at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    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 institutional assessment criteria.

    This Recognition of Prior Learning may:
  • Grant admission to learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
  • Grant learners credits towards modules contained in this qualification.
  • Grant learners credits towards the achievement of the qualification.

    Access to the Qualification:

    To gain access to this qualification learners require one of the following:
  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution.
  • A Senior Certificate issued prior to 2008.
  • A Qualification at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All eight modules are at NQF Level 5 and are compulsory.

    Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Financial Accounting; 20 Credits.
  • Cost Accounting; 20 Credits.
  • Economics; 20 Credits.
  • Business Information Systems; 15 Credits.
  • Taxation; 15 Credits.
  • Auditing; 15 Credits.
  • Client Service and Ethics; 15 Credits.
  • Business Calculations; 10 Credits.

    Total: 130 credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate, select and apply appropriate accounting procedures and processes to solve clearly defined problems in an accounting environment.

    2. Communicate information coherently and reliably using the appropriate format and language.
    > Range: May include but is not limited to basic writing conventions, information and communication technologies, business information systems and reporting procedures.

    3. Explain and apply the main areas of accounting and associated practice.
    > Range: May include but is not limited to key terms, concepts, laws, principles, rules and theories of accounting.

    4. Apply general principles and behaviour of working ethically in an accounting environment.

    5. Explain and operate business information systems to carry out accounting practices.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification aims to address all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify problems that can occur in the financial management of businesses.
  • Distinguish between the types of accounting practices available.
  • Identify appropriate accounting applications and procedures to solve the problems.
  • Explain and apply the legal requirements of financial accounting in general.
  • Explain the consequences of non-compliance with financial and accounting legislation and regulations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Describe information reporting procedures for decision making purposes.
  • Apply quality control measures to business financial information systems.
  • Report on the basic financial position of an organisation.
  • Prepare and disseminate financial and accounting information.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply internal financial accounting policy and practices.
  • Explain the practices associated with financial and cost accounting.
  • Perform basic financial accounting practices.
  • Analyse basic financial statements.
  • Analyse the basic cost accounting system.
  • Monitor the implementation of financial policy.
  • Analyse budgeting procedures for an organisation.
  • Apply the basic framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements.
  • Sketch the business cycle as it applies to accounting practices.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify, explain and employ the fundamental principles of ethical behaviour in an accounting environment.
  • Analyse the components of ethical behaviour and explain their importance.
  • Explain and distinguish between the types of unethical behaviour.
    > (Range: Ethical behaviour includes self, employees and clients).
  • Explain the process of dealing with unethical behaviour.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Explain and apply information management security practices for an organisation.
  • Describe operational and managerial roles of an information system in an accounting environment.
  • Explain how an information system is used to support end-user accounting applications.
  • Utilise computer hardware and software for processing accounting transactions and communication information.
  • Analyse an organisation's internal financial reporting requirements.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged. Learning, teaching and assessment are in line with each other.

    The term 'Integrated assessment' implies that theoretical and practical components are assessed together. During integrated assessments the assessor makes use of formative and summative assessment methods and assesses combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

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

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A general comparison with similar programmes/courses/qualifications internationally revealed that the range of competencies is well articulated worldwide. It is increasingly evident that there is a worldwide need for formally trained accounting practitioners across all sectors and industries.

    Comparisons of this qualification have been made with the following foreign qualifications:

    Home Learning College, United Kingdom: AAT Level 2 Certificate for Accounting Technicians:

    Units:
  • Introduction, Business Accounting.
  • Double Entry Bookkeeping.
  • Day Books.
  • VAT.
  • The Cash Book and Petty Cash Book.
  • Control Accounts.
  • Reconciliations.
  • Journals and the Trial Balance.
  • The Banking System.
  • Credit Control, Bad Debts, Communications.
  • Business Law.

    The Higher Certificate in Accounting, Level 5 offers courses at a higher level than those of the Home Learning College qualification, e.g., it offers Accounting, not Bookkeeping.

    Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland: Higher Certificate in Accounting - SG108:

    Subjects:
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Management Accounting.
  • Information Technology.
  • Communications and Interpersonal Skills.
  • Marketing.
  • Law.
  • Economics.
  • Modern Business Management.

    The majority of the subjects offered in the above Irish institution articulate with the competencies contained in this South African qualification and in many cases are identical. However, the Institute of Technology course includes 'Marketing' which is not included in the South African qualification.

    FTMS Global Academy, Singapore: Diploma in Accounting and Finance:

    Course Modules:
  • Microeconomics.
  • Business Law.
  • Financial Management.
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting I.
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting II.
  • Costing.
  • Business Information Systems
  • Introduction to Financial Reporting and Audit.
  • Business Mathematics and Statistics.
  • Management.

    The FTMS Global Academy Course in content, compares favourably with the South African qualification Modules. However, it must be noted that it is offered as a Diploma rather than a Higher Certificate. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Advanced Certificate or Diploma at NQF Level 6. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • External examiners and moderators are appointed to validate learner assessments. The appointment of individuals in this capacity is governed by specific regulations and individuals are selected for appointment against the set of criteria. Qualifications, as well as industry and academic experience in the subject field, are evaluated.
  • External examiners and moderators contribute predominantly to the quality assurance process through input delivered on the standard of examinations utilised at the end of the academic period which depends on whether the subject offered is assessed as a year course or semester course.
  • Akademia Konkordia appoints moderators and external examiners who are experts and specialists in applicable fields as assessors.
  • Examination papers and memoranda are given to the relevant person to evaluate before examinations. Scripts are marked by the examiners and then given to the relevant person for moderation. Papers of learners who fail are referred to the relevant moderator for a final decision. Examiners and moderators confirm the final marks.
  • The external examiners and moderators evaluate every theory paper of the final examinations when the subject is completed. During their experiential learning period the learner's evaluation forms (logbooks) are completed by the mentors from the industry and related organisations.
  • Specialists and experts in the industry will assess the practical and experiential learning component on the completion thereof. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at least one NQF level higher than the level of this qualification. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    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.