Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting provides the knowledge and skills required within the fields of Auditing, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Finance and Taxation for admission to the professional exams to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa. The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is for learners who would like to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. The programme was designed to meet the academic requirements of the Competency Framework of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). This Competency Framework provides the academic programme requirements for entrance to the Initial Test of Competence, the first of two professional exams assessed for the Chartered Accountant qualification. This qualification is designed to graduate students with the ability to think and act strategically, professionally and ethically and to contribute meaningfully to the Accounting and Business sector. The programme design thus facilitates the development of a well-rounded Accounting practitioner. Graduates have both the theoretical depth and applied skills relevant to further study or to the world of work.

What is this Post Graduate Diploma’s accreditation status? The IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and is registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a 120-credit qualification on level 8 (SAQA ID 109416:). The IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting is also accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Who is the IIE Post Graduate Diploma aimed at? The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is for learners who would like to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. What entry requirements will I need to study this Post Graduate Diploma?

Minimum Admission Requirements Notes

Students from an IIE SAICA accredited undergraduate degree: A successfully completed, SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree at The IIE within a maximum time frame of 4 years and completed all 4 major 3rd year subjects in the year immediately preceding the year in which they are admitted into the PGDip (Accounting), OR A successfully completed accountancy bridging programme (Professional Certificate in Accountancy (PCA) and completed all 4 major subjects in the year immediately preceding the year in which they are admitted into the PGDip (Accounting). Students from SAICA accredited undergraduate degrees at another institution: A successfully completed, SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree within a maximum time frame of 4 years and completed all 4 major 3rd year subjects, with an average of 55% or more in the year immediately preceding the year in which they are admitted into the PGDip (Accounting), OR A successfully completed accountancy bridging programme and completed all 4 major subjects, with an average of 55% or more, in the year immediately preceding the year in which they are admitted into the PGDip (Accounting).

REPEAT ATTEMPT STUDENTS

Note: Students who have unsuccessfully attempted their PGDip (Accounting) or equivalent CTA three times or more at either The IIE or any other higher education provider, will not be admitted into The IIE’s PGDip (Accounting) programme – such students would first have to complete The IIE’s Professional Certificate in Accountancy (PCA) bridging course to be considered for the PGDip (Accounting) at The IIE again.

Students who attempted the IIE’s PGDip (Accounting) programme in no later than the previous two academic years but were unsuccessful in completing the programme, shall be granted provisional entry into The IIE’s 2020 PGDip (Accounting).

Senate Discretionary Admission

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Candidates must demonstrate suitability for admission in terms of Senate’s resolution 6.6 of 20 October 2005 which allows for Senate’s discretionary conditional admission (if applicable).

What is The Teaching and Learning Strategy of The IIE’s Varsity College, and how will it help prepare me for the 21st century working world? At The IIE’s Varsity College we are proud of and passionate about our shift away from the ‘traditional lecturing’ methodology to our blended-learning strategy – the VCBlend. This blended-learning strategy extends learning beyond the confines of the classroom and creates opportunities for our students to work collaboratively, with peers and their educators, to construct their understanding of concepts. Student engagement is supported by the use of a learning management system (LMS) and the online learning materials that have been developed to underpin our teaching strategy. Due to the VC Blend approach, you will be expected to spend time conducting your own research, study for assessments and work on assignments. To gain the most from the blended learning experience, VC’s Wireless classrooms and campuses, students are required to BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) such as mobile devices, netbooks, laptops or tablets, etc. so as to develop the necessary academic and digital literacies over the three years of this diploma. This student-focused approach compels our students to be accountable for their learning while developing the critical skills they will need to thrive in the rapidly changing 21st century work environment. As such, academic life for our students is dynamic, challenging and relevant. How is this Post Graduate Diploma structured? The IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting is a one-year post-graduate qualification. The academic year runs from February to November. The modules are delivered on a full-time basis with lectures and tutorials being scheduled during the day from Monday to Friday.

What will I study in this Post Graduate Diploma?

Year modules CREDIT VALUE

NQF LEVEL MODULE PURPOSE

Financial Reporting

30 8 This module on the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at an advanced level

Tax 30 8 This module focuses on the taxes and duties levied in terms of the Income Tax Act, the Estate Duty Act, and the Value-Added Tax Act

Management Accounting & Finance

30 8 This module aims to provide tools that support analytical reasoning that contributes to effective management and decision-making in the context of real-world scenarios. The module draws on a broad understanding of the economy, strategy and risk management.

Corporate Governance & Auditing

30 8 This module aims to provide a thorough knowledge and understanding of the external audit process, corporate governance and company-related legislation. The curriculum focuses on the audit process, computer auditing, the Code of Professional Conduct, the Auditing Professions Act, the Companies Act, corporate governance and sustainable businesses.

What practical and technology requirements are there for this programme? There are no practical and technology requirements for this programme, but students are expected to be able to use technology to enhance the learning experience. What must I pass in order to graduate with this Post Graduate Diploma? The IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting comprises four compulsory full-year modules and no elective modules. Successful completion of the IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting requires a pass mark of 50% or more for each module. To qualify to write SAICA’s ITC, a pass mark of 50% or more for all four modules must be achieved in the same exam sitting. How long do I have to complete this qualification? Students have a maximum of 2 years to complete this qualification. To qualify to write SAICA’s ITC, a pass mark of 50% or more for all four modules must be achieved in the same exam sitting. With what qualification will I graduate?

You will graduate with The IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting.

Career opportunities: what career areas can I pursue once I have completed this Post Graduate Diploma? The IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and successful completion qualifies students to write the Initial Test of Competence (ITC), the first of SAICA’s professional exams. This programme is designed to equip students with skills required to branch into various roles as a Chartered Accountant including:

• Public practice • Consulting in Taxation, Management Accounting, IFRS, Auditing, etc. • Finance functions, including Financial Manager (FM), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) • Academia (teaching and learning, research and community-based involvement).

Call your nearest IIE’s Varsity College campus to discuss your career options with one of our Student Advisors. PGDip(Accounting) 2019 V1 2019.12.18 Disclaimer: Please note that this fact sheet is accurate at the time of publication. The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) reserves the right to alter any of the content prior to commencement of registration due to changes in regulation, policy, market requirements or any other valid reason.

British Accreditation Council The IIE is not only accredited in South Africa but its dedication to providing quality education also led to it being accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) in 2014. The British Accreditation Council is an independent authority in the United Kingdom that accredits private providers globally, including Greece, Switzerland, Singapore, India, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates. In 2017 The IIE had its accreditation status confirmed by the BAC as an International Higher Education Institution confirming our confidence in the international comparability of our standards. “South African students need to know, when they select a private higher education institution, that the standards offered are equivalent to those of a public University. Our students get this from our extensive local accreditation and registration. The students also benefit from knowing that we meet international standards too. The IIE is accredited as an International Higher Education Institution by the British Accreditation Council. Locally and internationally we have demonstrated the quality of what we offer,” said Dr Coughlan, Director, The Independent Institute of Education. The IIE’s Varsity College students can be confident that their IIE learning experience meets international best practice standards.