Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Accounting

Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Accounting
NUST code:		CAC
DURATION:	4 Years
TYPE OF DEGREE:		HONOURS
CREDIT LOAD:	500
LEVEL	SADC-QF - Level 8
ACCREDITATION ORGANISATION(S):
LEARNING MODES	CONVENTIONAL (Offered in Bulawayo Only) PARALLEL (Offered in Bulawayo Only) BLOCK RELEASE (Offered in Bulawayo Only)

Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of the programme is to produce technically focused and well-rounded students with a comprehensive knowledge base for identifying, analysing, evaluating and solving problems in core areas of accounting; auditing; taxation and financial management. Students should be able to reflect on their decisions and applications in these fields to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of accounting as a practice and demonstrate initiative and responsibility, and that shall enable the development of leadership qualities.
Programme Characteristics
Areas of Study:   Accounting: Introduction to Financial Accounting, Intermediate Financial Accounting, Advanced Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting.
Auditing: Introduction to Auditing, Audit Process, Audit Skills Theory and Practice, Advanced Auditing.
Taxation: Introduction to Taxation, Taxation, Further aspects of Taxation.
Management and Cost Accounting: Principles, concepts and techniques of Management and Cost Accounting, Planning, control decision making, knowledge and understanding in behavioural aspects of Management and Cost Accounting, Strategic Management Accounting.

Accounting Information Systems: Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems, Information Systems Concepts with regard to planning, organizing, decision making and control.
Financial Management: Introduction to principles, concepts and techniques used in financial management decision making, Application of concepts and theoretical models in optimization of resources, working capital management, treasury management function etc.
Other Business Modules: Introduction to Commercial Law, Company Law, Principles of Management, Principles of Economics, Corporate finance, Quantitative Analysis for Business, Principles of Marketing, Business Communication, Peace Leadership and Conflict Transformation.
Specialist Focus:   Taxation, Auditing, Financial Management and Financial Accounting.
Orientation:    Research and innovation oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on theoretical aspects.
Distinctive Features:   The programme focuses on service-oriented mind-set, innovativeness, reliability and trustworthiness, strong organisational skills and vigilance of accountants.
Career Opportunities and Further Education
Employability:   Careers in the Accounting industry, Finance industry, Business industry and Academia.
Further Studies:   Master’s and doctoral studies in Accounting, Finance or Business programmes related to commerce.
Programme Delivery
Teaching and Learning Methods:   Lectures, tutorials, laboratory practical in computer modules, seminars, group work, industrial visits, industrial attachment, research project, individual independent study.
Assessment Methods:   Written examinations, tests, assignments, oral presentations, seminar presentations, industrial attachment report, final year research project report, continuous assessments.
Programme Competences
Generic:
Multidisciplinary: Ability to draw appropriately from multiple academic disciplines to define and solve problems based on understanding of complex phenomena
Quantitative and innovative reasoning: Capability to draw on big data and use analytics for informed decision making and strive to seek new ways of doing things
Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively and to present information orally and in writing and using ICTs to both expert and non-expert audiences
Analysis and synthesis: Capacity for analysis and synthesis using logical arguments and proven facts.
Ethical commitment: Professional integrity and awareness of impact of science and technology on society and the environment.
Entrepreneurial skills: Capability to identify and create new business ventures based on knowledge and new thinking paradigms.

Discipline specific:
Production skills: Ability to manage business related issues.
Technology development skills: Ability to develop new skills in business related field.
Problem-solving skills: Ability to solve a wide range of problems in accounting, taxation, auditing, financial management and finance field by identifying their fundamental aspects and using theoretical methods.
Analytical and computational skills: Ability to use data to analyse process performance and technological issues using appropriate IT packages.
Exit Level Outcomes
Problem solving
Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex accounting problems creatively and innovatively.
Application of Accounting knowledge
Apply knowledge of Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Financial Management fundamentals and Business skills to solve complex business problems.
Investigations and data analysis
Demonstrate competence to conduct investigations and analyse data in accounting related field.
Accounting methods, skills and tools, including information technology
Demonstrate competence to use appropriate accounting methods, skills and tools including those based on information technology.
Professional and technical communication
Demonstrate competence to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with accounting audiences and the community at large.
Sustainability and impact of accounting activity
Demonstrate critical awareness of the sustainability and impact of accounting activity on the social, industrial and physical environment.
Individual, team and multidisciplinary working
Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments.
Independent learning ability
Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well-developed learning skills.
Accounting professionalism
Demonstrate critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically and to exercise judgment and take responsibility within own limits of competence.
Accounting management
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of accounting management principles and economic decision making.

To qualify for normal entry into the BCom Hons Degree in Accounting Programme, applicants in addition to satisfying the minimum conditions prescribed under the General Regulations and the Faculty Regulations for English Language and Mathematics, must have obtained at least two passes at ‘A ‘Level; one of the two subjects passed at ‘A’ level should be Accounting and any other Commercial subject or Mathematics.
Special entry
–Applicants who have successfully completed the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy or have otherwise obtained equivalent qualifications may apply for direct entry into Part II of the degree programme.
No applicant may complete the degree programme in less than two academic sessio
Successful completion of Industrial Attachment component at Part III level is compulsory.

The degree shall be awarded to students who have successfully completed the programme and passed the examinations in accordance with regulations set out above in the Faculty Regulations.

Duration of Programme and Delivery

The Programme consisting of module work shall normally be completed over a maximum period of 4 years both on a full-time, part-time block-release basis or parallel basis.

On both

basis

, delivery shall be allocated as follows:

Year of Study

Number of Modules

Year 1 13

Year 2 12

Year 3 Industrial Attachment

Year 4 10

Total Number of Modules 35 Modules

1 Research Project

Module delivery shall be divided into two components:

The taught component (Part I, II, III and IV) comprises of 35 core modules. The research component, in Part IV, leading to a dissertation of approximately 10, 000 words excluding appendices.

The weighting of modules shall be based on the

Notional

Study Hours (NSH) credit system which all learning activities of a student of average ability, taking place in and outside scheduled contact sessions, are taken into consideration (1 credit = 10 notional hours). A student must attain a prescribed minimum number of credits to qualify for the award of a degree or diploma.

Assessment

A candidate shall be expected to sit for

formal

written examination at the end of each semester. For a candidate to be admitted to the examination, they must have satisfactorily completed all assignments for continuous assessments. In addition, they are expected to have attended a minimum of 80% of the lectures in each module.

The taught component shall be examined by both coursework and a formal written examination. Coursework shall account for 30% of the overall assessment while the formal written examination shall account for 70% of the overall assessment.

For the taught component, the pass mark shall be 50% for all the modules.

Failure to Satisfy Examiners

A student who fails more than 50% of the modules taken in a particular part may, on the recommendations of the Senate, be granted permission to repeat the failed modules. Nevertheless, a student may be exempted from re-attendance and re-examination in any modules in which he/she previously passed.

A student who is not allowed to proceed to the subsequent Stage of the Programme and has failed the same Stage of the Programme twice shall be required to withdraw from the Programme.

A student who fails the Dissertation Stage with a mark below 40% shall be expected to apply to repeat the module.

Classification of the Degree

Students must satisfy the examiners in all the prescribed modules and in all requirements for the programmes in which they seek to be awarded the degree.

For the degree to be awarded, the minimum number of credits of 500 credits must be satisfied.

The classification of the degree shall be as follows: -

For the purposes of degree classification, the parts of the degree programmes

hall be

weighted as follows: -

Part II 30%

Part III 20%

Part IV 50%

Part I

Semester I

CAC 1101 Financial Accounting IA 10

CBU 1102 Business Communication 10

CIN 1103 Commercial Law 10

CBA 1104 Principles of Microeconomics 10

CBU 1108 Principles of Management 10

CIN 1106 Quantitative Analysis for Business II 10

CTL 1101 Conflict Transformation and Leadership 10

Semester II

CAC 1201 Financial Accounting IB 10

CBA 1205 Principles of Macroeconomics 10

CIN 1207 Quantitative Analysis for Business II 10

CBU 1209 Principles of Marketing 10

CIN 1204 Commercial Law II 10

CAC 1203 Introduction to Information Technology 10

Total Part I 130

Part II

Semester I

CAC 2101 Financial Accounting IIA 10

CAC 2103 Audit Skills 10

CAC 2105 Management and Cost Accounting IA 10

CAC 2104 Information Systems 10

CIN 2106 Company Law I 10

CFI 2101 Corporate Finance I 10

Semester II

CAC 2201 Financial Accounting IIB 10 CAC 2203 Audit Process 10

CAC 2205 Management and Cost Accounting IB 10

CAC 2204 Introduction to Taxation 10

CIN 2206 Company Law II 10

CFI 2201 Corporate Finance II 10

Total Part II 120

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Part III CAC 3001 Industrial attachment

__________________________________________________________________________

Part IV

Semester I

CAC 4101 Financial Reporting 10

CAC 4102 Taxation I 10

CAC 4103 Audit Skills, Theory and Practice 10

CAC 4104 Accounting Information Systems 10

CAC 4105 Management and Cost Accounting IB 10

Semester II

CAC 4201 Advanced Financial Accounting 10

CAC 4202 Taxation II 10

CAC 4203 Advanced Auditing 10

CAC 4204 Financial Management 10

CAC 4205 Strategic Management Accounting 10

CAC 4006 Research Project 20

Total Part IV 130

_______________________________________________________________________________

Total Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Accounting credits 500

_______________________________________________________________________________

Pre-requisites

A student must have passed Financial Accounting IACAC 1101 and IB CAC 1201 before proceeding to Financial Accounting IIACAC 2101 and IIB CAC 2201 respectively.

A student must have passed Financial Accounting IIACAC 2101 and IIB CAC 2201 before proceeding to Financial Reporting CAC 4101 and Advanced Financial Accounting CAC 4201.

A student must have passed Audit Skills CAC 2103 and Audit Process CAC 2203 before proceeding to Audit Skills Theory and Practice CAC 4103, and Advanced Auditing CAC 4203.

A student must have passed Management Accounting IA and IB before proceeding to Management and Cost Accounting II CAC 4105 and Strategic Management Accounting CAC 4205.

Part I

CAC 1101 Financial Accounting IA [10 credits]

The module is designed for those students with “A”Level Accounting. The module focuses on principles and techniques of Financial Accounting and their application to the preparation of financial statements of sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and non-profit making organisations culminating in analysis and interpretation of financial data.

CAC 1202 Financial Accounting IB [10 credits]

The module builds on the foundation laid in Financial Accounting IA. The module aims at developing a thorough understanding of the practical framework of Accounting and an ability to prepare, analyse and interpret financial statements. It covers the following areas of study: Accounting for limited companies, published accounts analysis and interpretation of final accounts, cash flow statements as well as latest developments of IAS applications in relationship to the areas covered.

CAC 1203 Introduction to Information Technology [10 credits]

The module introduces students to the role of computers in the business world and builds on the uses of different application packages in their field of study. It covers the following; basic fundamental concepts, management’s need for information and types of systems, transaction processing as well as an industry specific project.

Part II

CAC 2101 Financial Accounting IIA [10 credits]

The module builds on the foundation laid in Financial Accounting IA and B. The module aims at providing students with knowledge of Accounting as related to partnership, Accounting for specialised transactions, interpretation of financial statements, published accounts etc.

CAC 2201 Financial Accounting IIB [10 credits]

A continuation of Financial Accounting IIA. The module aims at helping students develop a thorough understanding of the practical framework of Accounting and imbibe an ability to apply the International Accounting Standards (IAS),Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe and GAAP.

CAC 2103 Audit Skills [10 credits]

The module is meant to provide an understanding of the nature, purpose and scope of Auditing, principles of Auditing and application of ISA. It also addresses the role of the external Audit, planning, current issues in Auditing and its regulatory framework.

CAC 2203 Audit Process [10 credits]

The module focuses on the performing of the Audit process and its application in the context of the regulatory framework and for business control and development.

CAC 2104 Information Systems [10 credits]

The module is a continuation of Introduction to Information Technology. It aims at strengthening the understanding, use of computers, fundamental concepts, information system concepts, types of systems, transaction processing etc.

CAC 2204 Introduction to Taxation [10 credits]

The module introduces students to the role of tax in an economy and goes on to the applications of the Income Tax and Finance Acts sections relevant to the taxation of an individual in respect of employment income. It also covers taxation of estates, tax administration and allowable deductions as well as the third schedule of the Income Tax Act.

CAC 2105 Management and Cost Accounting IA [10 credits]

The module aims at providing an understanding of the principles, concepts and techniques of Management and Cost Accounting and helps students develop an ability to apply this knowledge to practical situations related to cost ascertainment, cost control and planning.

CAC 2205 Management and Cost Accounting IB [10 credits]

The module is a continuation of Management and Cost Accounting IA. It is designed to equip students with a thorough and comprehensive knowledge related to Accounting techniques in planning, control decision making under various conditions and implementation of management policies.

Part III

CAC 3001 Industrial Attachment [120 credits]

Part IV

CAC 4101 Financial Reporting [10 credits]

The module focuses on Accounting Theory and current issues relating to financial reporting. It concentrates on the role of Accounting Theory, users and objectives of corporate reports, Accounting for price level changes, analysis and interpretation of financial statements, cash flow statements and application of International Accounting Standards.

CAC 4201 Advanced Financial Accounting [10 credits]

The module is a continuation of the Financial Reporting and Financial Accounting II modules. It aims at students having a thorough knowledge of Advanced Accounting principles and practices as they apply to the rapidly changing international business environment. It focuses on Group Financial Statements, Accounting for Foreign Currency Transactions, Valuation of businesses, Re-organisations, Mergers and Takeovers and Deferred taxation.

CAC4102 Taxation I [10 credits]

The module introduces individual Taxation, culminating in the computation of tax payable by individuals in employment, as well as the tax position of landlords. Aspects of taxation such as PAYE and Double Taxation agreements are covered. Administration provisions of the Income Tax Act are also dealt with.

CAC 4202 Taxation II [10 credits]

The module deals with the taxation of persons other than individuals, including businesses, companies, trusts and deceased estates. Taxes other than income tax are dealt with viz. Capital Gains Tax, Indirect Taxes, tax planning, tax incentives as well as capital allowances relating to growth points, export processing zones and farmers are an integral element.

CAC 4103Audit Skills, Theory and Practice [10 credits]

The module builds on the basic principles and techniques acquired in Part II of the Auditing modules. It seeks to consolidate students’ grasp of Auditing theory and the latest Auditing techniques and practices as enunciated in the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).It also covers Computer Auditing.

CAC 4203 Advanced Auditing [10 credits]

The module is a continuation of the Part II and CAC 4103 Auditing modules. The module seeks to provide a comprehensive knowledge of the financial reporting provisions of the Companies Act Chapter24:03 and focuses on Auditing issues and disclosure aspects of Financial Statements and specialised Audits and Investigations.

CAC 4104 Accounting Information Systems I [10 credits]

The module builds on the information systems acquired in Part II. It seeks to consolidate the developments, installation and management of Information Systems. It emphasises on the understanding of Information Technology and information systems concepts with regard to planning, organising, controlling and decision making of an organisation as well as use of information technology tools.

CAC 4204 Financial Management [10 credits]

The module focuses on the principles, concept and techniques used in making financial management decisions. It aims at ensuring that the students understand the concepts and applications behind theoretical models, select the techniques most appropriate to optimise the employment of resources, treasury management function, working capital etc.

CAC 4105 Management and Cost Accounting II [10 credits]

The module is a continuation of the Management and Cost Accounting IB (CAC 2205) at Part II level and seeks to consolidate students’ knowledge and understanding in behavioural aspects of Management and Cost Accounting, covering Management & Cost Accounting, Budgetary Control, Standard Costing and current issues in Management Accounting.

CAC 4205 Strategic Management Accounting [10 credits]

The module is a continuation of the Management and Cost Accounting II(CAC 4105) and discusses the characteristics of strategic Management Accounting decision including performance evaluation, control quantitative etechniques, TQM, ABC and non-financial performance measures.

CAC 4006 Research Project [20 credits]

The purpose of the project is to develop the students’ research skills and analytical skills, with a strong emphasis on research skills.

Modules Offered to other Departments

CAC 1107 Accounting IA [10 credits]

The module is designed for students without “A”level Accounting. It introduces students to basic principles, concepts and techniques of Accounting in general. The module focuses on the use of Accounting information by managers. The module covers the following areas Accounting cycle, Accounting as an Information system, trial balance, preparation of financial statements for individual companies, non-profit making organisations as well as Accounting ratios.

CAC 1208 Accounting IB [10 credits]

The module aims at equipping students with basic Management Accounting techniques in planning, control and decision making. It is intended for non-accounting professionals and covers the following areas: relationship of Cost and Management Accounting to other branches of Accounting, cost classification, stock valuation, material and labour costing, cash budgets etc.

CAC 2106 Accounting IIA [10 credits]

The purpose of the module is to build on topics encountered in Accounting IA and B which were tailored for future managers, rather than accountants. Topics shall include contract accounts, standard costing, profit volume analysis, introduction to partnership accounts etc.

CAC 2206 Accounting IIB [10 credits]

The modules hall introduce group accounts and cash flow statements. Further topics include accounting for the issue and redemption of shares, business valuations and financial statements analysis.

Modules offered by other Departments

CBA 1105 Microeconomics [10 Credits]

This module shall study markets and the decision making embedded therein. It shall discuss standard economic arguments that free markets work “best", the conditions under which these arguments are most believable, and policy options when these conditions are not met. The module shall examine both competitive markets, for which basic models of supply and demand are most appropriate, and markets in which agents act strategically, for which game theory is the more appropriate tool. The module shall cover, inter alia, economic theory and the market economy, consumer theory, choice under uncertainty, production and costs, efficiency and trade, market equilibrium, game theory and imperfect competition.

CBU 1108 Principles of Management [10 Credits]

History and development of management thought, functions of management, organisational structures, decision making, communication, centralisation and decentralisation, delegation, leadership and motivation, controlling budgeting and non-budgetary controls.

CBU 1102 Business Communication [10 Credits]

General comprehension and expression, report writing, comprehension of ideas, development of different styles and the use of English in a business setting, communicating skills, letter writing, committee documents, use of questionnaires, note taking, and summarising.

CIN 1109 Commercial Law [10 Credits]

The module introduces students to the basic legal principles governing the business environment. Focus shall be placed on definition of contracts, requirements of a contract, breach of a contract, remedies for breach of contracts, law of agency, contract of sale, law of business organisations and insurance contract.

CIN 1106 Quantitative Analysis for Business I [10 Credits]

The module introduces students to the mathematical tools relevant for application to the business environment. Students shall be expected to recognise the value of quantitative methods in analysing data and interpreting it in order to make relevant business decisions.

CMK 1209 Principles of Marketing [10 Credits]

Marketing functions; the environment of marketing; marketing information systems and marketing research; the marketing mix; consumer behaviour; the social responsibility of marketing; public policy with respect to marketing practices.

CFI 2101 Corporate Finance I [10 Credits]

The aim of the module is to identify the objective that Corporate Finance managers pursue or ought to pursue in order to satisfy the needs of corporate stakeholders and to develop, in students, concepts and corporate analytical tools that shall enable them to meet this objective. To this end, the course shall cover the following critical areas: Goals of a firm and the agency theory; Time value concepts and valuation of bonds and shares; Capital Budgeting under certainty; Operating and financial leverage; Introduction to portfolio theory and capital asset pricing; the stock market and other sources of long-term capital; innovations in Corporate Finance.

CFI 2201 Corporate Finance II [10 Credits]

The aim of the module is to develop, further, in students, concepts and corporate financial analytical tools. The areas covered shall include the following: Introduction to capital structure theory and practice; Cost of capital and valuation; Introduction to capital budgeting under uncertainty; Dividend policy theory and practice; Corporate working capital management; and innovations in corporate finance.

CIN1109 Commercial Law [10 Credits]

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the basic legal principles governing the business environment. Focus shall be placed on: definition of contracts, requirements of a contract, breach of contract, remedies for breach of contracts, law of agency, contract of sale, law of business organizations and insurance contract.

CIN 1106 Quantitative Analysis for BusinessI [10 Credits]

CIN1106 is a quantitative reasoning module for student in the Faculty of Commerce. It covers the techniques business students are most likely to use in future modules and in business related research. The topics covered are useful in economics, finance, accounting, risk, marketing and personnel management and in tandem with international developments in these areas. Students shall learn a variety of problem-solving strategies that are applicable in a wide range of business environments. Specific topics include matrix algebra, linear programming, index numbers, calculus, decision making in business and an introduction to financial mathematics.

CIN 1207 – Quantitative Analysis for Business II [10 Credits]

CIN 1207 is an introductory module in business statistics designed especially for students majoring in Commerce. It covers the techniques business students are most likely to use in their future modules. The module covers descriptive and inferential statistics with business applications to analyse management and organizational problems. Students shall learn to apply statistical analysis techniques to practical problems that firms in the real-world face. Specific topics include: measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability theory and distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, regression analysis and correlation analysis