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POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN ACCOUNTING

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting for 2025

Why study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDip Accounting) offered at IIE MSA is a Chartered Accountancy pathway that is accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The most recent successful SAICA accreditation visit was completed in 2021.

The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting provides candidates with a thorough theoretical grounding and knowledge base in the key principles of financial accounting, taxation, management accounting & finance and lastly corporate governance and auditing. Graduates will develop a wide range of highly sought-after professional skills that are founded in the underlying theory but also in the practical hands-on application of the theoretical knowledge.

The outcomes for this Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting qualification were identified as critical to drive a successful career in accountancy, management accounting, taxation and/or internal and external auditing, providing competent highly qualified chartered accountants in the private and the public sectors. By understanding business processes in the context of the related subject disciplines, graduates will be able to solve complex business problems and meet business needs through application of legislation and sound business practice, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and International Standards of Auditing (ISAs). Graduates will also be suitably prepared to demonstrate competencies in knowledge integration, and to contribute to the economic well-being of their organisation in a responsible manner.

Career Opportunities

The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting offered at IIE MSA 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 so-called ‘board exams’.

This postgraduate diploma programme is also accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

This Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting programme offered is designed to equip students with skills required to branch into various roles such as:

  • Chartered Accountancy
  • External Auditing
  • Consulting in Taxation, Management Accounting, IFRS, Auditing, etc.
  • Finance functions, such as Financial Manager (FM), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Academia (teaching and learning, research and community-based involvement).

Programme Outline

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

  • Financial Accounting 4
  • Taxation 4
  • Management Accounting & Finance 4
  • Auditing 4

 

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What is a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting offered at IIE MSA is a SAICA-accredited qualification and successful completion qualifies students to write the Initial Test of Competence (ITC), the first of SAICA’s qualifying exams.

What is the duration of study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting?

The duration of the programme is 12 months.

What are the subjects offered as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting?

The PGDip(Accounting) comprises four compulsory full-year modules and no elective modules. Successful completion of the PGDip(Accounting) requires a pass mark of 50% or more for each module, achieved in the same exam sitting. A student who has completed the PGDip(Accounting) successfully will qualify to write SAICA’s ITC exam.

Intakes

February of each calendar year

Programme code

PDAC0801

Discuss your study options with a Student Advisor

Telephone: +27 11 950 4000
Email: enquiries@iiemsa.co.za

Contact us

011 950 4009 enquiries@iiemsa.co.za

From outside South Africa

+27 11 950 4009

Programme information

Mode of Delivery

This programme makes use of blended learning, with online teaching resources (such as Moodle, Zoom, etc.), face-to-face lectures, tutorials, presentations and discussion sessions.

Assessments

Formal assessment by means of three year tests (April, July, September) and a final examination (October) will be conducted. Various group and individual assignments, presentations, projects, quizzes, homework as well as an extensive series of integrated continuous evaluation tests (CEVs) will be used for assessment purposes.

Students are required to write all continuous evaluation tests, year tests and exams at the IIE MSA campus in Ruimsig.

Site of Delivery

The PGDip (Accounting) is currently only offered at the IIE MSA campus in Ruimsig, Johannesburg for full-time students.

Local Entry Requirements

First Attempt Students

Students from a SAICA accredited undergraduate degree:
Applicants with a SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree must have completed all 4 major 3rd year subjects - Auditing, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Finance and Taxation - in the year immediately preceding the year in which they are admitted into the PGDip (Accounting),
OR
A successfully completed accountancy bridging programme and completed all 4 major subjects - Auditing, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Finance and Taxation - in the year immediately preceding the year in which they are admitted into the PGDip (Accounting).

Repeat Attempt Students

Note:
Students who have unsuccessfully attempted their PGDip (Accounting) or equivalent once, in the year preceding registration for PGDip (Accounting) at either The IIE or any other higher education provider, will be admitted into The IIE’s PGDip (Accounting) programme on condition that their average for their first attempt of PGDip (Accounting) or equivalent was at least 40%.

Students who have unsuccessfully attempted their PGDip (Accounting) or equivalent two times or more at either The IIE or any other higher education provider, will not be admitted into The IIE’s PGDip (Accounting) programme.

International Entry Requirements

A SAQA Evaluation Certificate with NQF L7 equivalence in an appropriate field.

Please note, requirements for entry to this qualification are correct at the time of publication, however, these may change.

Award

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is awarded by The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE).

Accreditation

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). This qualification is accredited by SAQA, ID 88609 and is on NQF level 8

Apply

Applications are now open. Apply online via the IIE MSA Online Admission system. 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.

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