Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting

Why study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDip (Accounting)) offered at IIE MSA is a Chartered Accountancy pathway that is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The most recent successful SAICA accreditation visit was completed in October 2018.

This programme equips students with:

• A focus on core competencies required to be a Chartered Accountant (South Africa).
• Development of critical thinking skills.
• Professional Development (soft skills, people management, exposure to IT and the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI), presentation and communication skills, project management).
• Practical hands-on focus and incorporation of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
• A lifelong learning approach with the eye on continued readiness for the workplace, which is very dynamic and ever-changing.
• Creating an increased awareness of the larger community within which the Accountant functions with the eye on community involvement.

Career Opportunities

The PGDip (Accounting) offered at IIE MSA has been 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 so-called ‘board exams’.

This programme is also accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

This programme offered is designed to equip students with skills required to branch into various roles such as:

• Chartered Accountancy
• External Auditing
• Consulting in Taxation, Management Accounting, IFRS, Auditing, etc.
• Finance functions, such as Financial Manager (FM), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Academia (teaching and learning, research and community-based involvement).

Programme Outline

The PGDip (Accounting) comprises four compulsory full-year modules and no elective modules. Successful completion of the PGDip (Accounting) requires a pass mark of 50% or more for each module. In order 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.

• Financial Reporting (ZPG4016 – 30 credits)
  This module on the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at an advanced level.

• Tax (ZPG4017 – 30 credits)
  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 (ZPG4018 – 30 credits)
  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 (ZPG 4019 – 30 credits)
  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.

Programme information

Mode of Delivery

This programme makes use of blended learning, with online teaching resources (such as Moodle, Zoom, etc.) being used mostly for flexible students and face-to-face lectures and tutorials, presentations and discussion sessions more focused on full-time students. Both modes of delivery convey the same content and quality of learning

Assessments

Formal assessment by means of three year tests (April, July, September) and a final examination (October) will be conducted. Various group and individual assignments, presentations, projects, quizzes, homework as well as an extensive series of integrated continuous evaluation tests (CEVs) will be used for assessment purposes. The quantity of assessments differs for full-time and flexible students, to ensure maximum flexibility in the assessment process.

Site of Delivery

Full-time: The PGDip (Accounting) is currently only offered at the IIE MSA campus in Ruimsig, Johannesburg for full-time students.
Flexible: The programme is offered mostly online for flexible students (90%+ online).
Full-time and flexible: All year tests and examinations are currently written at the IIE MSA campus.
Please watch this space for exciting new developments.

Local Entry Requirements

First-time applicants for PGDip (Accounting)

• Applicants who have successfully completed their SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree with 55% or more in all 4 major 3rd year subjects in the year immediately preceding the year in which they begin the PGDip (Accounting) are automatically offered a place in the programme.