NQF Level: 4

SAQA ID: 73712
Learnership code: 01Q010037001204

Target Learners

Accounting technicians work in all sectors of the economy, including accountancy practice, industry and commerce, and the public sector. However, the LGAAC qualification is specifically aimed at learners who are employed in Local Government and wanting to further develop their skills in local government accounting.

Admission Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements in terms of qualifications, but learners must have a good level of literacy and numeracy and must be able to complete assessments in English.

Learners must either already be employed in a relevant Local Government finance role or be employed under the conditions of the learnership in order to participate.

Duration

Part-time

The duration of this learnership is 12 months.

Topics covered

1. Present Financial Data for Internal and External Use

  • Recognise cost centres and elements of costs and extract and code income and expenditure from orders and invoices
  • Consolidate and reconcile data from different parts of an organisation into a given format, adjusting for internal recoveries / transfers as necessary
  • Provide, in the given format, comparisons of data as requested, to include ratios and performance indicators
  • Adjust data to allow for changing price levels (inflation)
  • Prepare internal reports which identify problems and discrepancies and present to appropriate staff whilst observing confidentiality requirements
  • Prepare external reports in the given format observing confidentiality requirements
  • Identify VAT inputs and outputs and complete a VAT return

2. Computerised Accounting Software

  • Enter accounting transactions into computerised records
  • Operate a computerised accounting system including output
  • Identify the possible impact of relevant legislation and regulations

3. Maintaining financial records

  • Maintaining records relating to capital acquisition and disposal
  • Collecting and collating information for the preparation of final accounts
  • Preparing the final accounts municipalities

4. Recording and evaluating costs and revenues

  • Record and analyse information relating to direct costs and revenues
  • Record and analyse information relating to the allocation, apportionment and absorption of overhead costs
  • Prepare and evaluate estimates of costs and revenues

5. Operating a cash management and credit control system

  • Monitor and control cash receipts and payments
  • Manage cash balances
  • Assess credit risk of debtor accounts
  • Monitor and control the collection of debts

6. Professional ethics

  • This is required only for direct entrants at this level, not for those who have completed LGAC level 3 (as this unit is also covered there).
The terminology and context used within each of the above skills areas are tailored so that they are specific to the work of municipalities.
Assessment

The qualification is completed once the learner has been formally assessed by simulations set centrally by the AT(SA) and assessed by FINTAC.

Once learners have been declared competent in all appropriate units, they will be awarded the LGAAC and will have completed the qualification.

Progression

The LGAAC qualification leads to Gold (Local Government) membership of AT(SA).

Delivery

Learners need to find out if their municipality is involved in the programme. If the course is available in the department, there are 3 simple steps learners should follow to sign up:

  • Speak to their line manager and appointed LGAAC municipality champion to discuss why they want to do it and their commitment to seeing it through, and to gain approval.
  • Attend the induction session to get more information.
  • Complete the learner registration form to confirm their place on the course, and provide a copy of their ID document

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