The Wits Post Graduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy is aligned to the professional level syllabus of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. This innovative programme is designed to reflect the changing world of commerce and to provide a firm foundation for the world of work. This includes developing the necessary skills, ethical principles and knowledge needed for decision-making in a business environment. Wits’ partnership with ACCA seeks to provide a unique strategic opportunity for accountancy students to achieve the highest standards in their professional development for a career in accounting, business leadership and finance. Post Graduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy
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The Wits Post Graduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy is aligned to the professional level syllabus of the Association of Chartered Certifi ed Accountants. This innovative programme is designed to refl ect the changing world of commerce and to provide a fi rm foundation for the world of work. This includes developing the necessary skills, ethical principles and knowledge needed for decision-making in a business environment.
Wits’ partnership with ACCA seeks to provide a unique strategic opportunity for accountancy students to achieve the highest standards in their professional development for a career in accounting, business leadership and fi nance.
Post Graduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy
About ACCA ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certifi ed Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, fi rst-choice qualifi cations to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, fi nance and management. Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. We believe that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development. We aim to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. Our values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and we ensure that, through our qualifi cations, we prepare accountants for business. We seek to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artifi cial barriers, innovating our qualifi cations and their delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers. ACCA works to strengthen a global profession based on the application of consistent standards, which we believe best supports international business and the desire of talented people to have successful, international careers. We champion the needs of small and medium sized business (SMEs) and emerging economies, and promote the value of sustainable business. To achieve this we work with global bodies such as the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and with over 80 global partnerships. Above all, we seek to bring long-term value to economies in which we develop and support professional accountants. We support our 198,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. We work through a network of 101 offi ces and centres and more than 7,291 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and infl uence.
About Wits School of AccountancyThe Wits School of Accountancy combines the highest standard of academic excellence with preparation for the real world of work. We are the leading contributor of black accountants to the South African business landscape.
We aim to be an outstanding school of choice for the education of under graduate and post graduate students offering quality teaching grounded in relevant research and scholarly activities.
Our mission is to research, conduct scholarly activities, facilitate learning and teach the practice of accountancy in all disciplines in order to ensure that our graduates are employable and will bring the highest levels of professional standards as future leaders and life-long learners in professional life.
We remain aware of the critical skills shortage which exists in the fi eld of accountancy in South Africa, and our aim is to produce well-rounded accountants who have a well rounded understanding of, and can excel in, the complex world of business. We are a school characterised by high levels of energy and a commitment to producing critical lateral thinkers who will make up tomorrow’s rank of business leaders.
The ACCA qualifi cation is an integrated qualifi cation, not only dealing with theoretical aspects of accounting, but also preparing graduates for the practical aspects of the accounting profession. The qualifi cation is based on international accounting and auditing standards and is compliant with International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
To qualify for membership of ACCA, you must complete the ACCA Qualifi cation.This consists of 14 professional examinations, an ethics module and three years’ practical experience- which can be gained either before, during or after the examinations.
The exams are divided into two levels: (1) Fundamental and (2) Professional.The Fundamental level introduces you to both fi nancial and management accounting techniques and covers the main technical areas which all accountants are expected to master. This level consists of reaching/achieving 9 exams which can be split into two modules, namely, knowledge and skills. Obtaining the fundamental level is a pre-requisite for admission to any of the professional exams. However, a person with an accountancy or business related degree from an accredited university is likely to be exempt from some or all of the exams at the Fundamental level.
The Professional level is divided into two modules; Essentials and Options. One must complete all three Essentials exams and choose two exams from the Options module. The Professional level builds on that knowledge and explores advanced skills and techniques.
** Exemptions for fundamental level available to Wits graduates.
Graduates from Wits University with a Bcom general (Major in Accounting) or BAccSci who have passed Financial Accounting III/Accounting III, Management Accounting and Finance III and Auditing III/Internal Auditing III are exempt from 8 out of the 9 Fundamental level exams.
A person with an accountancy or business-related degree from an accredited university is likely to be exempt from some or all of the exams at the Fundamental level.
The core courses (in line with the Essentials module (P1- P3)
Course Description
Governance Risk and Ethics
Corporate Reporting
Business Analysis
The objective of the course is to apply relevant knowledge, skills and to exercise professional judgement in carrying out the role of the accountant relating to governance, internal control, compliance and the management of risk within an organization, in the context of an overall ethical framework.
The objective of the course is to apply knowledge, skills and to exercise professional judgement in the application and evaluation of fi nancial reporting principles and practices in a range of business contexts and situations. The course takes accountancy to greater depth and contextualizes the role of the accountant as a professional steward and adviser/analyst by initially exploring the wider professional duties and responsibilities of the accountant to the stakeholders of an organisation.
The objective of the course is to apply relevant knowledge, skills, and to exercise professional judgement in assessing strategic position, determining strategic choice, and implementing strategic action through benefi cial business process and structural change; coordinating knowledge systems and information technology and by effectively managing processes, projects, and people within fi nancial and other resource constraints.
Exams
9 Fundamental Exams(Pre-requisite for professional exam) 5 Professional Exams
Only 2 of these exams need to be undertaken
(P1) Governance Risk and Ethics
(P2) Corporate reporting(P3) Business analysis
Modeule1:Knowledge Essentials OptionsModeule2:
Skills
(P4) Advanced Financial Management
(P5) Advanced Performance management
(P6) Advanced Taxation (P7) Advanced Audit and
Assurance
2. Post graduate diploma in accountancy structure
The Post Graduate Diploma In Specialised Accountancy (PGDIP SPA) is fully aligned to the ACCA Professional level exams. The programme is designed to include three core courses (in line with the Essentials module (P1- P3)) and two elective courses (in line with the options module (P4-P7)) in which the syllabus and learning objectives of the programme are designed to prepare students for the ACCA Professional level exams. The postgraduate programme is the fi rst of its kind, in a South African context, to be housed within a South African University. The diploma will be offered both on a full time (1 year) programme and part time (2 year) programme depending on the number of applications received. Below is some information on the courses offered.
Elective courses (in line with the options module (P4-P7)
Course Description
Advanced Financial Management
Advanced Performance Management
Advanced Taxation
Advanced Audit and Assurance
The objective of the course is to apply relevant knowledge, skills and to exercise professional judgement as expected of a senior fi nancial executive or advisor, in taking or recommending decisions relating to the fi nancial management of an organization in private and public sectors
The objective of the course is to apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgement in selecting and applying strategic management accounting techniques in different business contexts and to contribute to the evaluation of the performance of an organization and its strategic development.
The objective of the course is to apply relevant knowledge, skills and to exercise professional judgement in providing relevant information and advice to individuals and businesses on the impact of the major taxes on fi nancial decisions and situations.
The objective of the course is to analyse, evaluate and conclude on the assurance engagements in the context of best practice and current developments. The Advanced Audit and Assurance syllabus is essentially divided into seven areas.
Note: Candidates will have to register for both Governance Risk and Ethics and Business analysis modules concurrently as there will be integration between these modules.
3. Eligibility
The minimum requirements before a candidate may apply for admission into the Post Graduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy are:
a) A Bachelor in Commerce General (Major in Accounting) graduate who passed Accounting III, Management Accounting and Finance III, and Auditing III/Internal Auditing III or
b) A Bachelor of Accounting Science graduate who passed Financial Accounting III, Management Accounting and Finance III, and Auditing III/ Internal Auditing III or
c) Any other undergraduate degree if the candidate has displayed relevant skills and competencies satisfi ed to the PGDIP co-ordinator.
Factors that may be taken into consideration are the passing of professional examinations by recognised IFAC accountancy bodies. There are a limited number of places available. Applicants who meet the minimum application criteria are NOT guaranteed admission to the degree. Other factors and criteria will be considered during the application process. An interview could be called for if the programme coordinator so determines. Applications will be reviewed by the programme coordinator on an individual basis for all applicants. Admission into any of the core and elective modules will also depend on whether the course coordinator is satisfi ed with the exit level outcomes of the undergraduate course taken by the applicant.
4. Application procedure
Prospective students are required to apply online:
TO APPLY ONLINE PLEASE VISIT www.wits.ac.za/applicationsTO UPLOAD DOCUMENTS OR VIEW YOUR APPLICATION STATUS PLEASE VISIT https://self-service.wits.ac.zaFOR POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION CLOSING DATES PLEASE VISIT www.wits.ac.za/prospective/postgraduate/applications/11578/closingdates.html
