Monash South Africa CTA

The day time and after-hours offerings differ only in terms of the times at which contact sessions occur. In all other respects, they fall under the same qualification, run over the same period of time, require the same number of overall study hours, include the same assessments, have the same cost and allow successful students to write SAICA’s ITC.

Programme Outline

The PGDip(Accounting) comprises 4 compulsory full-year units and no elective units. Successful completion of the PGDip(Accounting) requires a pass mark of 50% or more for each unit. In order to qualify to write SAICA’s ITC, a pass mark for all 4 units must be achieved in the same year.

1. Financial Reporting
   This unit focuses on the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at an advanced level.
2. Tax
   This unit focuses on the taxes and duties levied in terms of the Income Tax Act, the Estate Duty Act, and the Value-Added Tax Act.
3. Management Accounting & Finance
   This unit aims to provide tools that support analytical reasoning that contributes to effective management and decision making in the context of real world scenarios. The unit draws on a broad understanding of the economy and risk management.
4. Corporate Governance & Auditing
   This unit 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 business.

Programme structure and Unit schedule

Students must obtain 120 credits to complete the programme.

Programme coordinator: Gareth Olivier

Programme dates: 8 February 2016 to 1 November 2016.

Further information

Programme Configuration

Each PGDip(Accounting) unit includes weekly preparation, lectures and tutorials. Contact sessions (lectures and tutorials) run for 12 – 15 hours per week and preparation time outside of class requires an additional 20 – 30 hours per week.

Assessment Design

Formative assessments are conducted over the year in the form of continuous assessment, 4 major formative assessments and final summative exams in October.

Professional and national accreditation

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

Entry requirements

Places in the PGDip(Accounting) are offered as follows:

1. Considered for acceptance – the majority of applicants fall into this category and are considered for the PGDip(Accounting) subject to the criteria in part 1 below.
2. Automatic offers – places are offered automatically to applicants who meet the requirements in part 2 below.

1. Considered for acceptanceThe majority of applicants fall into this category and are considered but are not guaranteed a place in the PGDip(Accounting).
   • 1.1 Applicants who have not previously attempted the MSA PGDip(Accounting)These are applicants who have completed a SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree but have not achieved the requirement for an automatic offer detailed in part 2.1. These applicants are considered by the Accounting Department according to the following criteria:
     • The PGDip(Accounting)’s capacity.
     • Whether the applicant has attempted CTA / PGDip(Accounting) before (generally having attempted CTA before is an advantage).
     • Whether the applicant completed the undergraduate in the prescribed time.
     • Prior marks.
     • Time gaps since the applicant last studied.
     • Whether the applicant has previously completed a CTA.
   • 1.2 Applicants who have previously attempted the MSA PGDip(Accounting)These applicants need to re-apply and are considered by the Accounting Department according to their performance in the MSA PGDip(Accounting), subject to the PGDip(Accounting)’s capacity.Even if an applicant has passed 1 or more of the PGDip(Accounting) units previously, they will have to register and pass all 4 subjects in the same year in order to qualify to write SAICA’s ITC.
2. Automatic offers
   • 2.1 Applicants who have not previously attempted the MSA 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 Monash SA PGDip(Accounting) are automatically offered a place in the MSA PGDip(Accounting).
   • 2.2 Applicants who have previously attempted the MSA PGDip(Accounting)Applicants who have passed 2 or more MSA PGDip(Accounting) units in the year preceding the repeating year are automatically offered a place in the MSA PGDip(Accounting). (These applicants do however need to re-apply.)Even if an applicant has passed 1 or more of the PGDip(Accounting) units previously, they will have to register and pass all 4 subjects in the same year in order to qualify to write SAICA’s ITC.

International students

The PGDip(Accounting) is open to all students wishing to qualify as South African Chartered Accountants.

Textbooks and other requirements

Award

Postgraduate Diplomas are awarded by Monash South Africa as a registered private higher education institution in South Africa.

The PGDip(Accounting) is registered on NQF level 7 / HEQSF level 8.

Apply

In order to avoid delays in processing applications, it is crucial to include academic transcripts from all the years of study, including those that were not successful. Having attempted CTA previously is generally an advantage, even if the attempt was unsuccessful, as there has been exposure to the syllabus.

Please note: This is a two-step application process:
Step 1: Apply online via the Monash Online Admission system which will guide you through the initial application process. Online application step by step guide (pdf, 2290Kb)
Step 2: If Step 1 is successful, you will be emailed with requirements to fill in a second online form with further details that are required by the Accounting Department.

Closing Date for Applications: The closing date for applications is Friday, 12 February 2016. For students awaiting final results or writing supplementary exams for whom there is a chance of wanting to enrol for the 2016 PGDip(Accounting), it is recommended that applications are submitted as soon as possible. Final results can then be submitted as soon they are received. There is no charge to apply and applications may be withdrawn at any point.

Outcome of applications

Depending on the application, the outcome response may be:

• The application is incomplete.
• An offer of a place in the programme.
• Notification that the application was not successful.
• The applicant has been waitlisted and a response can only be given at a later stage.

Monash South Africa’s Admissions Department is closed between 21 December 2015 and 6 January 2016.

CA Connect

Monash South Africa has partnered with CA Connect in the delivery of the PGDip(Accounting). CA Connect is a private educational venture that employs lecturers with specific skills and experience in presenting the PGDip(Accounting). CA Connect’s lecturers are Chartered Accountants who have been involved in presenting and running PGDip(Accounting)-equivalent programmes at other SAICA-accredited institutions around South Africa for a number of years and have significant involvement with education at SAICA including the development of SAICA’s ITC. Further information on CA Connect can be found at www.caconnect.co.za.