Learning areas covered:

Unit 1 Communication and Managing a Team

This unit is about the fundamental skills required to operate effectively as a member of an accounting team.

The first element involves the use of different methods of communication to communicate effectively with stakeholders whilst performing accounting duties.
The second element involves the management of the work of an accounting team and assessing the work performance of the team.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element: 1.1 Communicate effectively with others
• Element: 1.2 Manage work and performance

Unit 2 Professional Ethics

This unit is about the principles of professional ethics and how an employee applies these principles in the work environment.

The elements within this unit involve the identification of the principles of ethical behaviour and the different work situations in which these principles will be applied. It also addresses the different codes of conduct which an employee in the public service must adhere to. In addition, the ethics unit addresses communication skills and critical decision-making skills whilst applying the principles of ethics.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element: 3.1 Apply general principles and procedures for ethical compliance expected within the public sector
• Element: 3.2 Develop, maintain and apply ethics in work situations

Unit 3 Economic Reporting format and SCOA Classification

This unit deals with the processing of financial transactions in terms of SCOA (Standard Chart of Accounts) and the proper maintenance of financial records.

The first element focuses on the economic reporting format.
The second element involves the processing and classification of transactions in terms of SCOA and the use of SCOA for the reporting of the economic classification.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element: 3.1 Economic reporting format
• Element: 3.2 Using SCOA to allocate transactions

Unit 4 Budget Management

This unit deals with the management of the budget through the reporting and monitoring of actual expenditure and revenue against the budget. It further deals with the impact of expenditure and revenue on the cash flow of the department.

The first element focuses on the monitoring of actuals to budget and the preparation of prescribed monthly reports as prescribed by the PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
The second element involves an understanding of payroll management, the accounting entries for payroll management and the reconciliation of payroll to the accounting system.
The third element involves an understanding of the controls required for transfer payments and the management of transfer payments.

The fourth element focuses on the management of the cash flow of the department.

• Element: 4.1 Monitoring of actual against budget
• Element: 4.2 Management of expenditure/employee costs
• Element: 4.3 Management of transfer payments
• Element: 4.4 Cash flow management

Unit 5 Accounting for Assets and Inventory

This unit is about understanding the accounting transactions and reporting of assets and inventory.

The first element involves an understanding of the role, functions and life cycle of asset management within the department, how to account for assets in the accounting records and the reconciliations required to be performed.
The second element involves an understanding of the role and functions of inventory management how to account for inventory in the accounting records and the reconciliations required to be performed.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element: 5.1 Classification, recording and disclosure of assets
• Element: 5.2 Classification, recording and disclosure of inventory

Unit 6 Financial Reporting

This unit is about understanding the concepts related to financial reporting, the preparation of financial statements in accordance with the Modified Cash Standard, analysis of financial statements, reporting of unauthorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

The first element deals with the preparation of financial statements, notes and additional disclosures in accordance with Modified Cash Standard.
The second element looks at the analysis of financial statements.
The third element deals with the identification of unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, the reporting thereof and the maintenance of appropriate records.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element: 6.1 Preparation of financial statements in accordance with the Modified Cash Standard
• Element: 6.2 Analysis of financial statements
• Element: 6.3 Unauthorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure

Unit 7 Internal Control, Internal Audit and External Audit

This unit is about understanding the functions of internal control, internal audit and external audit.

The first element deals with the principles of internal controls.
The second element deals with the role and functions of the Internal Audit.
The third element involves an understanding of the role and functions of External Audit.

Elements contained within this unit are:

• Element: 7.1 Principles of internal controls
• Element: 7.2 Internal Audit
• Element: 7.3 External Audit

Training methodology and learner support:

Credo Business College offers 3 different types of training options, which you can choose from. Credo delivers high quality courses and depending on which course you study, the training option depends on the programme and the clients’ or learners’ needs.

Training options available:

• Full-time contact classes
• Blended learning: combination of contact classes and distance learning
• Full-time distance learning

Training option 1: full-time contact classes

Full-time study means that learners attend classes on a daily basis during the day. This usually implies that our full-time learners are not employed and, as they are either recent matriculants or school leavers, they are able to attend daily classes on a full-time basis for the number of years required to complete the qualifications.

Training option 2: blended learning – combination of contact classes and distance learning

This course is presented through a combination of contact sessions (face-to-face learning) and distance learning. Learners can attend a number of classes per module. The first class is an introductory class at the start of each module. This class gives you an overview of the most important aspects of the module and gives you an idea of what to expect in the module. After each introductory class, you complete the relevant module via distance learning. Learners may have 1 to 2 additional contact classes after the introductory class. The second class is usually held two weeks prior to a learner writing a practice assessment and the third class is held prior the formal assessment. Class 2 and 3 are purely based on revision.

Training option 3: full-time distance learning

With distance learning learners can study in their own time from home or work instead of attending classes. Learners have more flexibility as they will have full-time access to credo’s online learning platform. Learners will receive study guidance in terms of unit/module notes, study plan, assignments, assignment feedback and guidance on revision.