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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate: Accountancy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90736  Higher Certificate: Accountancy 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   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 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with a foundational insight into the world of accounting, adding value to their school education and giving them an opportunity to become more employable. The qualification also aims to address the critical shortage of bookkeepers and other qualified support staff within accounting departments in business and other organisations in South Africa.

In addition the aim of this Qualification is to introduce learners to fundamental knowledge in the field of Accountancy and to equip learners with specific skills in order to be competent in performing accounting related services (manual and computerised) and act as bookkeepers.

Rationale:
This Higher Certificate: Accountancy places a strong focus on the world of accounting. It is designed to equip learners with a range of knowledge and practical skills, which will form the basis for commencing a career in an accounting-related context in business. It also provides a basis for progressing to higher level academic qualifications. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners who register for this programme are assumed to have:
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
  • Capacity to do self study and complete written assignments.
  • Ability to communicate in English (read, write and speak).
  • Ability to manage their time.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL can be used to:
  • Grant admission to the qualification to learners who do not meet the entry requirements.
  • Grant credits towards the qualification.
    In all cases, RPL will be considered in accordance with South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) and institutional policies.

    Access to the qualification:
    The access requirement for the qualification is one of the following:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC).
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4.
  • A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA.
  • Any Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of the following NQF Level 5 modules:

    Essentials of Accounting - Basic Bookkeeping, 15 Credits.
    Essentials of Accounting - Financial Statements, 15 Credits.
    Fundamentals of Management Accounting - Cost Classification, 12 Credits.
    Fundamentals of Management Accounting - Cost Determination, 12 Credits.
    Business Communication, 12 Credits.
    Business Writing, 12 Credits.
    Computerized Accounting Applications - Accounting, 9 Credits.
    Computerized Accounting Applications - Payroll, 9 Credits.
    Computing Concepts 1, 12 Credits.
    Computing Concepts 2, 12 Credits.

    Total Number of credits = 120. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Upon completion of a Higher Certificate in Accountancy, the qualifying learners will be able to:
    1. Classify, record, implement and maintain basic accounting systems.
    2. Apply, implement and maintain the basic principles in cost and management accounting systems.
    3. Use basic computer software.
    4. Determine and calculate Value Added Tax (VAT) payable.
    5. Determine and calculate Pay as You Earn, Unemployed Fund and Skills Development Levy payable.
    6. Use appropriate communication skills.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field outcomes are addressed in the qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Source documents are correctly prepared for data capturing.
  • Sorted documents are correctly recorded in the relevant books of prime-entry.
  • Financial statements are prepared for the small business entities according to professional requirements.
  • Data is captured correctly on a computerised accounting software package.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Inventory systems are correctly administered.
  • Costs of manufactured products are correctly determined.
  • Basic costing systems are correctly operated.
  • A cash budget is correctly drawn up.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Data printouts are correctly prepared.
  • Basic spreadsheets are correctly produced.
  • Data is captured correctly on a computerised accounting software package.
  • Data is captured correctly on a computerised payroll software package.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Value Added Tax is calculated correctly.
  • A VAT return is accurately prepared.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • PAYE, UIF and SDL payable by employees is calculated.
  • The relevant official form is accurately prepared.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Communication is maintained fluently and accurately, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of basic communication theory with sensitivity to traditional communication barriers and culture.
  • Office documentation is prepared in a variety of modes and genres taking cognizance of audience, purpose, register and style.
  • Oral and written presentations are prepared, demonstrating competence in the use of relevant software programme/s and in a range of communication skills relating to non-verbal communication, reading, and writing, listening and speaking.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Regular assessments of the holistic skills of learners will be performed. The essence of the assessment approach will be developmental, and for this reason formative assessment, which will incorporate written tutorials, short assignments, presentations and regular class tests, will play a major role. All of these are directly linked to the theory and skills related to the exit level outcomes.

    All formative assessment tasks are internally moderated and all summative, exit level assessment tasks are externally moderated by suitably qualified experienced subject specialists. All assessment decisions and moderation judgments must be clearly motivated and recorded. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Higher Certificate in Accounting is comparable to Higher Certificate programmes in Business and Accountancy in many countries. However, comparison has been done with the following Irish Qualifications.

    The Ireland, Institute of Technology offers a Certificate in Accounting.

    Modules:

    Year 1:
    Financial Accounting, Business Administration, Law, Math and Research Methods.

    Year 2:
    Information Systems, Economics, Management Accounting, Communications and Personal Finance.

    The Dublin Business School (Tallaght) offers a Higher Certificate in Business - Accounting.

    Modules (all core):

    Year 1:
    Introduction to Accounting, Business Communications, Business Computing, Inside Business, Introduction to Business Mathematics, Introduction to Marketing.

    Year 2:
    Entrepreneurship; Organisational Behaviour; Basic Economics for Business; Computer Based Business Modelling; Financial Information for Planning and Control; Accounting Theory and Practice.

    The Limerick Institute of Technology offers a Higher Certificate in Business in Accounting and Finance.

    The programme provides learners with a thorough knowledge of theory and methods used in all Accounting and Finance sectors, preparing them for further professional accountancy qualifications. The programme consists of accountancy themes supported by the study of foundation subjects, including: Economics, Management, Marketing, Law, and Information Technology.

    Conclusion:
    The Higher Certificate: Accountancy, Level 5, has similar content to those with which the comparison ha been made and all prepare learners to be involved in financial management at an entry level in any business or commercial sector. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates vertically with:
  • Advanced Certificate Accounting, at NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma: Accountancy, at NQF Level 6.

    This Qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Higher Certificate: Financial Management at NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate: Generic Management at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All final assessment instruments are presented to the external moderator for approval and verification. A percentage of all assessment evidences is presented for moderation and feedback and adjustments as required, supervised by the respective qualification coordinator. Feedback from internal and external moderators informs teaching and learning interactions. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at least one NQF Level higher than that of this qualification.
    All assessors should have practical experience in the areas being assessed and should preferably have practical experience in the areas being assessed. 

    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. Nelson Mandela University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.