NQF level: 5

SAQA ID: 80189
Learnership code: 01Q010039001205

Target Learners

The final level, Level 5 – Certificate: Accounting covers higher level accounting tasks, including drafting financial statements, managing budgets and evaluating financial performance. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in areas from tax to auditing and credit control.

A perfect progression if you have already completed Levels 3 and 4, or you are at a more advanced stage in your career and want a qualification to give you the confidence and proof that you have the skills to do the job.

Admission Requirements

Learners must have completed the Advanced Certificate: Accounting Technician at NQF Level 4. Learners must also have a good level of literacy and numeracy and must be able to complete assessments in English.

Learners must be employed (previously or for the purposes of this learnership) in order to participate in this learnership.

Duration

Part-time

The duration of this learnership is variable, depending on the learners’ progress and previous experience, but it is likely to take between one year and eighteen months.

Topics covered

  • The external reporting environment for limited companies and groups which need to publish accounts
  • Principles of consolidated accounts, and analysis and interpretation of financial statements
  • Preparing a range of financial statements and identifying an organisation’s financial position.

  • Forecasting and preparing budgets.
  • Prepare a range of budgets, analyse variances and make recommendations for improving organisational performance.

  • Monitoring and managing of financial performance.
  • Analyse information on income and expenditure to make reasoned judgements to support the decision making process.

  • Evaluation of an accounting system, with particular reference to internal controls, ethical considerations and the prevention of fraud.
  • Make recommendations for improvements supported by a clear rationale of the impact upon the organisation and a cost benefit analysis.

Option 1: Credit management and control

  • Principles of credit management in an organisation, advising on the granting of credit, setting credit limits, collection of monies owed and the likelihood of receipt of payment.
  • Advising on debt management and ways to minimise risk to the organisation.

Option 2: Personal tax

  • How Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax is applied to income.
  • Calculating Income Tax liabilities and income from all sources.
  • Applying relevant allowances, deductions and reliefs to prepare accurate Income Tax computations.

Option 3: Business tax

  • Preparing tax returns for sole traders, partnerships and incorporated businesses. You’ll recognise trading profits, make adjustments and apply current relevant legislation.

Option 4: External auditing

  • Legislative and professional requirements, and how to act as part of an audit team in planning and conducting an external audit.
  • Drafting working papers and a final audit report.
Assessment

The qualification is completed once the learner has been formally assessed by three means:

  • Computer based assessments (CBAs) set and marked centrally by the AT(SA).
  • Simulations (and a case study project) set centrally by the AT(SA) and assessed by FINTAC.
  • Work-based evidence.

Once learners have been declared competent in all appropriate units, they will be awarded the Higher Certificate: Accounting qualification.

Progression

Once you have achieved this level, you will be the proud owner of the AT(SA) Accounting Qualification. With evidence of one year’s past relevant work experience – attained while you were training – you will be able to apply to become a Platinum member of AT(SA).

Delivery

The AT(SA) courses can be delivered at a location of your choice or tailored to your company’s needs.  As registered learnerships, the AT(SA) qualifications enjoy all the benefits of SETA funding, tax rebates and government incentives.

Download PDF