NQF Level: 4

SAQA ID: 77143
Learnership code: 01Q010038001204

Target Learners

Level 4 – Advanced Certificate: Accounting Technician is the second level of the AT(SA) Accounting Qualification. It introduces you to more complex accounting tasks, such as maintaining cost accounting records and the preparation of reports and returns. This course is perfect if you’ve completed Level 3, or you’re already at a more intermediate level and looking to develop existing accounting skills.

Admission Requirements

Learners must either have completed the Certificate: Accounting Technician at NQF level 3 or have relevant accounting work experience, and show competence in communication and mathematics at NQF level 3.

Learners must 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 is variable, depending on the learners’ progress and previous experience, but it is likely to take between one year and eighteen months.

Topics covered

  • Preparation of final accounts for sole traders, developing your understanding of accounting systems and the environment and principles under which organisations operate.
  • Accounting adjustments and accounting for fixed assets.

  • Legal requirements and preparation of partnership accounts, showing division of profits after adjusting for interest on capital, interest on drawings and any salaries due to each partner.
  • Preparation of final accounts for partnerships and developing skills in restructuring accounting information.
  • Preparing final accounts for sole traders, including the accounting treatment required to incorporate accruals and prepayments, provision for depreciation, irrecoverable debts and allowance for doubtful debts.

  • Principles of managing cash balances and deficits within an organisation.
  • Advising on options available for raising finance and on investment of surplus cash, without detriment to the cash flow of normal business activities or risk to the organisation’s on-going liquidity.

  • Identifying why cost-accounting is an important tool for an organisation.
  • Different approaches to cost accounting and making informed and reasoned judgements to guide management and help decision making.

  • Understanding current VAT regulations and building your knowledge of VAT registration requirements, different VAT schemes available, penalties for non-compliance and the different types of classification of supplies.
  • Performing the calculations needed to complete a VAT return.
  • Submitting completed documentation in a timely manner while maintaining an effective working relationship with the relevant tax authority.

  • How to use software for recording data in rows and columns, perform calculations with numerical data and present information using charts and graphs.

  • Importance of ethical duties and how to work within the code to ensure that the public can gain confidence in accounting practices or functions.
  • Protecting your and your organisation’s professional reputation and integrity.
Assessment

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

  • Computer based assessments (CBAs) set and marked centrally by the AT(SA).
  • Skills tests (and a case study project) 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 FET Advanced Certificate: Accounting Technician qualification.

Progression

The Advanced Certificate: Accounting Technician qualification leads to the Higher Certificate: Accounting, which is registered at level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). It also leads to membership of AT(SA) at the Gold membership level.

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