The department has been present for the 60 years of the university’s existence and is held in in high esteem, particularly since gaining SAICA accreditation for its four year BCom (Accounting Science) degree.

The Departmental vision and mission statements dovetail eloquently with those of the faculty and Institution.

The Department prepares students for graduation in the following degrees

Chartered Accountancy Programme known as BCom (Accounting Science) – This 4 year degree forms part of the undergraduate academic route of becoming a chartered accountant and is accredited by SAICA.

Non SAICA Accredited Accountancy Programme known as BCom (Accounting) The aim of this degree is to prepare accounting students for the accounting profession outside of the SAICA stable.

BCom (Management Information Systems known as BCom (MIS) – Aimed at those who want to use technology to enhance business performance.

By the end of the 2021 academic year we aim to offer:

A PGDA (Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting) and BCom (Accounting) Honours degree. – Upon passing the PGDA students are entitled to write SAICA’s ITC (Initial Test of Competency) whilst the NQF Level 8 Honours degree may articulate to an MCom.

Higher Certificate in Accounting offered at our Richards Bay campus. The purpose of the programme is to provide a structured qualification (at NQF level 5) for students wishing to work as bookkeepers and junior accountants. The programme aims to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and application of accounting principles.

Service Subject Modules

Service subject modules from first to third year level refer to accounting as a module presented as part of the curricula of a wide range of other degrees housed in the Faculty and some in the Faculty of Education.

The Department currently has a staff complement (academic and administrative) of 18 (1 Administrative and one in Richards Bay). The majority of the academic personnel hold relevant professional financial qualifications (CA(SA)’s, SAIPA designations and are members of ACCA, IRBA and CIMA) in addition to their academic qualifications.

Purpose and Rationale

The 4-Year Bachelor of Commerce Extended Degree is an alternative access programme, i.e. in providing alternative access in the fields of Accounting, Economics, Business Management and Human Resource Management. Students are given foundational provision covering relevant academic skills together with subject-related themes, required to facilitate learning in the regular modules of Bachelor of Commerce degree programmes. It is designed to develop competencies of students in language and numeracy and at the same time giving additional support by way of small group tutorials/lectures, for students to cope with the regular BCom modules. The combination of foundational modules enables students to develop a comprehensive perspective and effective strategies for adjusting to, and meeting the demands of, the higher education environment with the aim of being successful in the chosen Bachelor of Commerce programme.

BCom 4-Year Extended Degree: General Information

BCOM: ACCOUNTING SCIENCE (2ADEG3)

Purpose and rationale of the qualification

The degree, BCom (Accounting Science) is designed for students who plan careers as Chartered Accountants. The degree will prepare the students for postgraduate accounting studies and their training contracts.

The programme is designed in consultation with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and recognised by them as a requirement to practice as a chartered accountant.  This qualification requires a thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of the profession or career concerned and the ability to apply these to professional or career contexts.  The programme also serves as basis for entry into several postgraduate study opportunities.

NOTE: The curriculum below allows admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Science programme. It is recommended for students who intend writing the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Exit-level Outcomes

The proposed curriculum will be informed by the “Conceptual Framework” which prescribes pervasive and discipline specific skills. The programme will meet the following outcomes and competencies:

• Pervasive skills will be inculcated by exposing students to the professional skills and personal attributes required by aspirant accountants. Professional ethics will not only be part of the curriculum but be entrenched by encouraging responsible behavioral patterns.
• A study of the structure and working of the business world including the economic and other problems which arise in business.
• An inter-disciplinary study of economics, accounting, statistics, law and ethics which concentrates on the application of appropriate concepts and techniques towards the understanding, analysis and solution of problems in a business environment.
• A study of the scientific approach to management problems and use of current quantitative and computer techniques in those areas in business management formerly considered to be largely matters of opinion and judgment.
• Ultimately specialising in each of the areas of Financial Accounting, Auditing, Financial Management, Management Accounting and Taxation enabling articulation to an accredited post graduate program.

General information

Academic Structure:  Accounting Science (2ADEG3)

BCom: Accounting (2ADEG1)

The purpose of this qualification is to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge base for identifying, analysing, evaluating and solving problems in the following underlying core modules: accounting; auditing; taxation and financial management.

Students should be able to reflect on their decisions and applications in these fields to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of accounting as a practice.

Academic Structure:

Welcome to the Department of Accounting and Auditing

Purpose:

The aim of this qualification is to prepare graduates with the basic knowledge and skills required for students who enter the field of economics or business with the necessary knowledge and skills to create intellectual property, to produce knowledge products and to create value for their employers at production, research, innovation and managerial platforms.

The Bachelor of Commerce focuses on the factors that drive economic behaviour at both an individual and organisational level. The qualification will equip the graduates with the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills to effectively identify issues, source information and find efficient and practical solutions. It will empower graduates with foundational, practical and reflexive competence at a graduate-level to enable them to pursue careers in the local, national, regional and global business and public sector economic environments. The qualification has been tailored in consultation with representatives from leading organisations and HEI’s, ensuring graduates with an industry-relevant degree.

This qualification is a generic Bachelor of Commerce as it focuses on four core disciplines, namely accountancy, economics, business management and human resource management allowing students to graduate with an option of proceeding to higher degrees in one of two core commerce knowledge fields. It offers a wide range of specialisations which offer the student relevant knowledge and skills applicable in specific business and/or commercial niches in which they might wish to be employed or study further. This structure provides the student with the opportunity to tailor his/her learning to different contexts and different environments while ensuring a knowledge of the theory, principles and core elements in the relevant chosen discipline area. The qualification will enable the student to develop his/her intellectual capacity to understand the economic and business environment.

Rationale:

South Africa, as is the case with all developing countries, is faced with a shortage of skilled labour, particularly in the fields of entrepreneurship and management. Knowledge and skills in these areas and particularly in financial management are required to ensure the sustainability of business enterprises. This qualification will help students to develop that knowledge and those skills.  Successful students will have the knowledge and skills to compete successfully in the global business environment both nationally and internationally.   The qualification will give access to higher levels of learning. The qualification addresses the country’s need for competent middle and senior managers in both the public and private sectors.

Exit level outcomes

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of general principles and theories of business and their application in business and commerce.
• Demonstrate technical and communication skills and knowledge that are appropriate in the area(s) of their chosen specialisation.
• Display a continuing professional approach to work, community responsibilities and personal development.
• Solve problems in business and commerce.
• Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in organisations to create the opportunity to develop as a leader in a multi-disciplinary environment.

BCom degree: General information

Higher Certificate in Accounting (2AHCR1)

Purpose:

The qualification concentrates on acquiring basic knowledge and skills and its implementation in a practical environment.  The course is suitable for those seeking employment as a Data Capturer, Administration Assistant, Bookkeeper, Junior Accountant, Municipal Clerk, Clerk in Banking or another commercial sector.

This a 1-year qualification aimed at producing people capable of performing activities in the following areas:  Accounting assistants and junior bookkeepers and accounting technicians.

General Information

Academic Structure: 

Bachelor of Commerce in Management Information Systems