Overview

The Margo Steele School of Accountancy (SOA) offers a SAICA-accredited programme to allow successful students access to write SAICA’s ITC board exams. This programme is an online distance course designed to reflect the changing world of information technology and putting the candidate first.

It involves two phases. The first phase is fully online and structured as short courses. The second phase is a diploma programme that is a blend of online and some face-to-face instruction and assessment.

The programme incorporates the latest teaching techniques and relevant research necessary for developing the skills to be a “difference-maker”. The programme is designed to be flexible so that candidates can balance their work and study commitments. The first phase has activities designed to promote engagement, test understanding of concepts as they are encountered and provide timeous feedback on assignments.

This is followed by an entrance exam which will give successful candidates access to Phase 2 – a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy programme.

Programme Structure:

The programme is structured to take place in two (2) phases:

• Phase 1: Completion of 3 short courses and an entrance exam
• Phase 2: Registration and completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy (Distance)

For more information, please visit: https://wits-enterprise.co.za/c/postgraduate-diploma-pgdip-in-accountancy-distance-programme

Curriculum

Phase 1: Short Courses

• Understanding the Business: Corporate Governance and Strategy
• Business Decision-Making
• Valuations

Phase 2: Degree Courses

• Understanding the Business: Corporate Governance and Strategy
• Business Decision-Making
• Valuations
• Operating Activities and Transactions
• Business Combinations and Corporate Restructurings
• Performance Management and Incentives
• Internal Transactions
• Tax
• Regulatory Environment

Candidates who have successfully completed the diploma modules must pass the following four examinations in one sitting:

• Financial Accounting IV
• Management Accounting and Finance IV
• Auditing IV
• Taxation IV

Entry Requirements

Admissions are assessed based on appropriate qualifications as well as past academic performance. An appropriate SAICA-accredited Bachelor of Commerce degree, Advanced Diploma or equivalent is required. The qualification should include sufficient and appropriate study of specialist accounting knowledge at NQF level 7 in the following disciplines:

• Financial Reporting/Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Financial Management
• Taxation and
• External auditing

Meeting the qualification requirement does not lead to automatic acceptance. A limited number of students are enrolled each year according to an analysis of their academic history, the institution's enrolment plan and the available capacity in respect of teaching infrastructure and human resources.

The academic analysis will be based on a combination of the following:

• The average mark across the major NQF 7 modules in the undergraduate degree.
• Time taken to complete the undergraduate degree.
• Any academic inactivity in accounting-related studies and
• The average mark across modules if previously attempted a PGDip (Accounting)/CTA programme.

Please note: We are not considering candidates who completed (or are in the process of completing) a SAICA-accredited bridging programme at this time.

Course Application Process

Phase 1 (Short Courses)

Applications for Phase 1 (Short Courses) of the programme are handled by Wits Enterprise. Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment.

• Please apply online through Wits Enterprise for Phase 1 of the programme: https://wits-enterprise.co.za/c/postgraduate-diploma-pgdip-in-accountancy-distance-programme

Phase 2 (Degree Courses)

Applications for Phase 2 (Degree Courses) of the programme are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). 

• Please apply online for Phase 2 of the programme.
• Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self-Service Portal.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self-Service Portal.
• Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.
• Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.