University Of Cape Town

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Financial Accounting: General Accounting

Degree

This degree is designed to give students a broad understanding of accounting and provides a more practical business focus than the BCom Chartered Accountant stream and the BCom Accounting with Law stream. It serves as a basis for the opportunity to enter professional associations, such as ACCA, CIMA and SAIPA. It is designed to serve the needs of students who are not interested in doing the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) and continuing to qualify as Chartered Accountants (SA), but nonetheless appreciate the value of an accounting degree. With this qualification, you could aim to become a general manager, business advisor, accountant, tax official, accounting officer, company secretary, internal auditor and tax advisor.

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Financial Accounting: Chartered Accountant

Degree

The CA option is designed for students who intend to qualify as Chartered Accountants, registered with SAICA. Graduates become members of management teams, financial advisors, or partners in auditing practices. In addition to these streams offered by the College of Accounting, the Department of Finance and Tax offers a Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Finance with Accounting, that is also a possible route for aspiring Chartered Accountants. The first-year courses for all streams are identical so students do not have to decide between the streams until they have experienced accounting at a tertiary level. Please note that any professional qualification requires a period of practical training in addition to the academic qualification.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting

Diploma

The Advanced Diploma in Accounting is a one-year, full-time programme that replicates the final year of the BCom Financial Accounting: Chartered Accountant degree, aimed at graduates of other programmes who meet the requirements for the prescribed courses. On successful completion, students who want to pursue the CA(SA) path may apply to study the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA).

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Financial Accounting: Accounting with Law

Degree

Please note: The BCom Accounting with Law programme is no longer offered to first-time entrants as of 2023. Prospective students may still consider the Economics with Law options listed below through the faculty, aimed at students with an interest in both law and commerce. Students who want to become an attorney or advocate after completing either of these undergraduate degrees can apply to do a two-year postgraduate LLB degree in the Faculty of Law. Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Economics with Law (3-year degree) Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Economics with Law (4-year degree) The BCom Honours is offered in conjunction with the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) courses. The Honours programme includes a research component designed to supplement and enrich accounting knowledge. The broad aim of the degree is to introduce students to academic research in accounting. This programme is offered on a full-time basis.

BCom Honours in Accounting

Honours

The BCom Honours in Accounting is offered in conjunction with the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) courses. The Honours programme includes a research component designed to supplement and enrich accounting knowledge. The broad aim of the degree is to introduce students to academic research in accounting.

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA)

Diploma

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) is a one year programme that is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Completing the PGDA allows candidates to write SAICA’s Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) is a one year programme that is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Completing the PGDA allows candidates to write SAICA’s Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). UCT offers an IAC preparatory course - for more information, visit Professional Programmes (APC and IAC). The programme is only offered on a full-time study basis.

MCom in Financial Reporting, Analysis & Governance (FRAG)

Diploma

🕐 2 years

The MCom in Financial Reporting, Analysis & Governance (FRAG) is a two-year part-time programme. This qualification focuses on real-world applications and enhances the skills required to achieve leadership in accounting, corporate financial analysis, and corporate governance decision-making. Who should do this MCom [CM031ACC13]? If you are aspiring to be a Chief Financial Officer, Audit Partner, Board Member, Regulator or Academic, this qualification will equip you with the skills that will both help prepare you for those roles and set you apart from others. This qualification focuses on real-world applications and enhances the skills required to achieve leadership in accounting, corporate financial analysis, and corporate governance decision making. All course content also explores different approaches to research with a view to helping you understand the logic and rationale of different research perspectives. This enables you to undertake demanding investigations, collect, organise and analyse data, and effectively progress in the writing of your research dissertation. These are value-adding skills in all areas of business. Entrance requirements An NQF level 8 qualification in Accounting/Finance or relevant work experience in Accounting/Finance or a CA(SA). Applicants may be required to present themselves for an interview.

PhD in Accounting

Doctorate

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree under supervision and examination is by thesis alone. Potential applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree aligned with their intended area of specialisation. Acceptance into the programme is dependent on a research proposal being approved and the availability of a supervisor. Provisional candidates will be required to present the proposal to the College PhD Committee, which will decide whether the student's PhD candidacy can be confirmed. The proposal must be presented within six (6) months of first registration. A PhD thesis must be an original‚ coherent, and consistent body of work that reflects the candidate’s own efforts. The thesis may not be more than 80‚000 words. A candidate will undertake research‚ and such advanced study as may be required, under the guidance of a supervisor or supervisors appointed by the Senate. Programme start date and overall duration Once an offer has been made, you can register. International students need to comply with national regulations for visas, etc., before they are cleared for registration. Registration is an annual requirement. The annual registration also requires submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets out the expectations of both supervisor and student for the year. It is against this that your progress is assessed annually. Unbroken registration must be maintained from the first registration until graduation. If, for exceptional circumstances, your studies are interrupted, you may apply for a leave of absence - this is at the faculty’s discretion.

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Financial Accounting: General Accounting

Degree

This degree is designed to give students a broad understanding of accounting and provides a more practical business focus than the BCom Chartered Accountant stream and the BCom Accounting with Law stream. It serves as a basis for the opportunity to enter professional associations, such as ACCA, CIMA and SAIPA. It is designed to serve the needs of students who are not interested in doing the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) and continuing to qualify as Chartered Accountants (SA), but nonetheless appreciate the value of an accounting degree. With this qualification, you could aim to become a general manager, business advisor, accountant, tax official, accounting officer, company secretary, internal auditor and tax advisor.

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Financial Accounting: Chartered Accountant

Degree

The CA option is designed for students who intend to qualify as Chartered Accountants, registered with SAICA. Graduates become members of management teams, financial advisors, or partners in auditing practices. In addition to these streams offered by the College of Accounting, the Department of Finance and Tax offers a Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Finance with Accounting, that is also a possible route for aspiring Chartered Accountants. The first-year courses for all streams are identical so students do not have to decide between the streams until they have experienced accounting at a tertiary level. Please note that any professional qualification requires a period of practical training in addition to the academic qualification.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting

Diploma

The Advanced Diploma in Accounting is a one-year, full-time programme that replicates the final year of the BCom Financial Accounting: Chartered Accountant degree, aimed at graduates of other programmes who meet the requirements for the prescribed courses. On successful completion, students who want to pursue the CA(SA) path may apply to study the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA).

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Financial Accounting: Accounting with Law

Degree

Please note: The BCom Accounting with Law programme is no longer offered to first-time entrants as of 2023. Prospective students may still consider the Economics with Law options listed below through the faculty, aimed at students with an interest in both law and commerce. Students who want to become an attorney or advocate after completing either of these undergraduate degrees can apply to do a two-year postgraduate LLB degree in the Faculty of Law. Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Economics with Law (3-year degree) Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Economics with Law (4-year degree) The BCom Honours is offered in conjunction with the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) courses. The Honours programme includes a research component designed to supplement and enrich accounting knowledge. The broad aim of the degree is to introduce students to academic research in accounting. This programme is offered on a full-time basis.

BCom Honours in Accounting

Honours

The BCom Honours in Accounting is offered in conjunction with the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) courses. The Honours programme includes a research component designed to supplement and enrich accounting knowledge. The broad aim of the degree is to introduce students to academic research in accounting.

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA)

Diploma

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) is a one year programme that is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Completing the PGDA allows candidates to write SAICA’s Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) is a one year programme that is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Completing the PGDA allows candidates to write SAICA’s Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). UCT offers an IAC preparatory course - for more information, visit Professional Programmes (APC and IAC). The programme is only offered on a full-time study basis.

MCom in Financial Reporting, Analysis & Governance (FRAG)

Diploma

🕐 2 years

The MCom in Financial Reporting, Analysis & Governance (FRAG) is a two-year part-time programme. This qualification focuses on real-world applications and enhances the skills required to achieve leadership in accounting, corporate financial analysis, and corporate governance decision-making. Who should do this MCom [CM031ACC13]? If you are aspiring to be a Chief Financial Officer, Audit Partner, Board Member, Regulator or Academic, this qualification will equip you with the skills that will both help prepare you for those roles and set you apart from others. This qualification focuses on real-world applications and enhances the skills required to achieve leadership in accounting, corporate financial analysis, and corporate governance decision making. All course content also explores different approaches to research with a view to helping you understand the logic and rationale of different research perspectives. This enables you to undertake demanding investigations, collect, organise and analyse data, and effectively progress in the writing of your research dissertation. These are value-adding skills in all areas of business. Entrance requirements An NQF level 8 qualification in Accounting/Finance or relevant work experience in Accounting/Finance or a CA(SA). Applicants may be required to present themselves for an interview.

PhD in Accounting

Doctorate

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree under supervision and examination is by thesis alone. Potential applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree aligned with their intended area of specialisation. Acceptance into the programme is dependent on a research proposal being approved and the availability of a supervisor. Provisional candidates will be required to present the proposal to the College PhD Committee, which will decide whether the student's PhD candidacy can be confirmed. The proposal must be presented within six (6) months of first registration. A PhD thesis must be an original‚ coherent, and consistent body of work that reflects the candidate’s own efforts. The thesis may not be more than 80‚000 words. A candidate will undertake research‚ and such advanced study as may be required, under the guidance of a supervisor or supervisors appointed by the Senate. Programme start date and overall duration Once an offer has been made, you can register. International students need to comply with national regulations for visas, etc., before they are cleared for registration. Registration is an annual requirement. The annual registration also requires submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets out the expectations of both supervisor and student for the year. It is against this that your progress is assessed annually. Unbroken registration must be maintained from the first registration until graduation. If, for exceptional circumstances, your studies are interrupted, you may apply for a leave of absence - this is at the faculty’s discretion.