A candidate for the full-time B.Com. Accounting degree shall pursue an approved course of study for not less than four academic years (including one year of industrial attachment) each year constituting a part of the programme except those joining the programme as special entrants and would have worked for a minimum of two years who may complete the programme in two years.

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have the following qualifications:-

• Five ‘O’ level passes including English and Mathematics (A, B, or C Grades) At least two ‘A’ level passes.
• A Level passes in at least two of the following subjects: Economics, Management of Business, Accounting and Mathematics.

There is also provision for mature entry for persons who may not have the appropriate academic qualifications for entry but who have suitable or relevant post-school experience and who satisfy the University and the Department of their ability to complete a degree course satisfactorily.

COURSE SYNOPSIS

PART 1- FIRST SEMESTER

CAC 1107 Financial Accounting IA
CIN 1106 Quantitative Analysis for Business I ( Refer to Insurance.) CBU 1108 Principles of Management (Refer to Business Management) CIN 1103 Commercial Law I ( Refer to Insurance.)
CBA 1104 Micro Economics (Refer to Banking)
CBU 1102 Business Communication (Refer to Business Management)

SECOND SEMESTER

CAC 1202 Financial Accounting 1B
CIN 1207 Quantitative Analysis for Business II (Refer to Insurance) CIN 1204 Commercial Law II(Refer to Insurance)
CBA 1205 Macro Economics (Refer to Banking)
CBU 1209 Principles of Marketing (Refer to Business Management) CAC 1203 Introduction to Information Technology

PART II FIRST SEMESTER

CAC 2101 Financial Accounting IIA
CFI 2101 Corporate Finance I (Refer to Finance.)
CAC 2103 Audit Skills
CAC 2104 Information Systems
CAC 2105 Management and Cost Accounting IA
CIN 2106 Company Law I (Refer to Insurance.)

SECOND SEMESTER
CAC 2201 Financial Accounting IIB proceeding to Management and Cost Accounting II.
CFI 2201 Corporate Finance II (Refer to Finance.)
CAC 2203 Audit Process
CAC 2204 Introduction to Taxation
CAC 2205 Management and Cost Accounting IB
CIN 2206 Company Law II (Refer to Insurance.)

PART III

CAC 3001 Industrial Attachment

PART IV FIRST SEMESTER
CAC 4101 Financial Reporting CAC 4102 Taxation I
CAC 4103 Audit Skills, Theory and Practice
CAC 4104 Accounting Information Systems
CAC 4105 Management and Cost Accounting II
CAC 4006 Research Project

SECOND SEMESTER

CAC 4201 Advanced Financial Accounting
CAC 4202 Taxation II
CAC 4203 Advanced Auditing
CAC 4204 Financial Management
CAC 4205 Strategic Management Accounting
CAC 4006 Research Project

• This programme is designed to enhance and develop the knowledge and skills of accounting in public practice, industry and academia. The degree encompasses studies at an advanced level in finance and managerial accounting, auditing, corporate and international finance and investments.
• Students completing the programme would have studied all the necessary prerequisite courses to apply for associate membership of key Zimbabwean accounting professional bodies such as Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Zimbabwe, ACCA, CIMA and CFA.

OBJECTIVES

• To attain an advanced conceptual understanding of the fields of accounting and finance, complemented by a wide range of practical applications and case studies.
• To gain an insight into research methodologies and techniques which extend and support their learning.
• To expose them to the contemporary issues and problems confronting modern accountants and finance specialists.

AIMS

•  The programme is tailored to provide accounting professionals with the necessary groundwork required within the accounting field, including the latest standards that represent best practices in the industry.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• For entry into the programme, a candidate must have a good honours degree or equivalent with a pass level of 2.2 or better from a recognised university in accounting and finance related fields. Working experience would be an added advantage.

THE PROGRAMME

• Each course shall be taught for a total of 56 contact hours i.e. seven consecutive days of 8 hours each. Hence each semester shall comprise one intensive block of 28 days inclusive of weekends.
• Formal examinations shall normally be held at the end of each part of the programme.
• Candidates to be admitted to the examination must have satisfactorily attended courses of study including submission of required continuous assessment coursework. They should have also paid the required fees for the programme.
• Examinations shall normally be by way of written papers. However, examiners are at liberty to request any candidate to undergo an oral examination in addition to the written examinations.
• Coursework shall account for 30% of the overall assessment while the formal examination shall account for 70% of the overall assessment.
• The pass mark shall be 50% based on the aggregate of continuous assessment and the examination.
• Students can proceed to the next level carrying previous courses, provided they pass at least
• 50% of the courses in the preceding stage. Students who fail to meet this condition are required to repeat the failed courses prior to proceeding to the next level. Students will not be allowed to proceed to Stage III carrying a Stage I course, neither will they be allowed to proceed to Stage IV (Dissertation stage) carrying any course from the preceding stages.

FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS

• Supplementary examinations will not be offered.
•  A candidate who fails more than 50% of the courses taken in a particular semester may, on the recommendations of Senate, be granted permission to repeat the failed courses. Nevertheless, a repeat student may be exempted from re-attendance and re-examination in any course(s) in which he/she previously passed.
• A candidate who is not allowed to proceed to the subsequent part of the programme and has failed the same part of the programme twice will be required to withdraw from the programme.
• Withdraw means that the candidate must withdraw from the University. Once withdrawn, the student may not apply for readmission until a period of two years has elapsed.
• Appeals against termination of studies shall be handled in accordance with the University’s General Regulations.

MARKING SCHEME

The following marking scheme shall be adopted:

80%+                    Distinction

70%-79%              Merit

60%-69%             Credit

50%-59%              Pass

Below 40%           Repeat

AWARD OF DEGREE

• To be eligible for the award of the MSc in Accounting and Finance Degree, a student must pass all the courses constituting the programme inclusive of the Dissertation.
• Candidates who pass all the taught courses of the programme, but fail the dissertation twice, shall be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance.

THE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Stage I (Core Modules)

• CAC 5101 International Financial Reporting and Analysis
• CAC 5102 Assurance and Management Control
• CAC 5103 Accounting Information Systems and Technology
• CAC 5104 International Governance and Regulation

Stage II (Core Modules)

• CAC 5201 Advanced Financial Accounting
• CAC 5202 Strategic Financial Management CAC 5203 Local and International Taxation CAC 5204 Project Management

Stage III (Core Modules)

• CAC 5301 Advanced International Financial Reporting and Analysis
• CAC 5302 Strategic Managerial Accounting and Performance Management
• CAC 5303 Corporate Finance and Financial Markets

Elective Modules (Choose only one elective)

• CAC 5304 Social Entrepreneurship
• CAC 5305 Treasury Management and Ethics
• CAC 5306 Public Sector Accounting
• CAC 5307 Municipal Accounting
• CAC 5308 Financial Markets Corporate Governance Ethics

Stage IV

• CAC 5300 Dissertation

The Post Graduate Certificate in the Theory of Accountancy (CTA) Programme presented by the National University of Science and Technology(NUST) is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Zimbabwe (ICAZ) as part of its education requirements to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

The Chartered Accountant qualification is one of the highest professional accountancy qualifications in Zimbabwe. A Chartered Accountant is an expert in the broad field of Accountancy that includes the following primary subject areas (disciplines): Financial Accounting, External Auditing, Financial Management and Taxation (split slightly differently in the new ICAZ Competency Framework). Chartered Accountants are characterised by their multi-disciplinary approach, analytical ability and systematic and logical approach to problem solving.

The successful completion of the NUST Hons and CTA Programme provides a candidate with admission to the Initial Test of Competence of the ICAZ (previously known as Part 1 of the Qualifying Examination). At postgraduate level we follow a strong student-centred approach, with great emphasis on insight, understanding, application and interdisciplinary interaction, but the successful completion of the Hons and CTA Programme depends on commitment. The Departments presenting the Accounting Sciences strive to mould our students academically in order to become professionally educated Chartered Accountants, (CA(Z)s), and Registered Auditors.

The Hons and CTA Programme is offered on a full-time basis only.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to the full- time ZCTA programme the student:-

a. Must have obtained a 2.1 or better in BComm in Accounting, or an equivalent degree and the degree must be obtained within 5 years as approved by the Faculty Board. This degree must, as a minimum, include the following 4 modules(or equivalent courses): Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting, Financial Management and Taxation, all at final year level;

AND

b.Must have obtained an average of at least 2.1 in each of Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting, Financial Management and Taxation in his/her final year. If any of the above-mentioned modules was passed by adjustment or condonement (including through the utilisation of a ‘third opportunity’ exam), then admission will be rejected;

OR

c. The modules referred to in paragraph (b) must have been passed in the immediately preceding year, or the year before that. If any of these modules were passed longer than two years ago, the percentage requirement mentioned in paragraph (b) is increased to 2.1 for each affected subject. If any of these modules were passed longer than three years ago, the student may be required to write an admission test; alternatively will be rejected.

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Compulsory modules (full-time only)

RECP671- Advanced Financial Accounting

Module Aim:
This module aims to ensure that students are able to prepare group financial statements in compliance with the regulatory framework and IFRS. In addition students should also be able to prepare financial information for selected special entities. Further it aims to ensure that students are able to evaluate accounting practice with particular reference to capital maintenance, measurement and economic substance over legal form. The changing nature of accounting information as well as current developments is also considered.

RECP672- Advanced Auditing

Module Aim:
This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the critical aspects of managing assurance engagements (including audit engagements): acceptance, planning, managing, concluding and reporting.

RECP673- Advanced Taxation

Module Aim:
This module aims to impart knowledge of the law of taxation and its application to resident and non-resident individuals and entities. In addition to that planning & administration of the tax services and corporate tax compliance matters are also covered. Also this syllabus aims to ensure that the students possess a sound knowledge of the principles of Income Tax, Value Added Tax, and Stamp Duty and are able to apply this knowledge and skills to practical situations.

RECP674- Advanced Management Accounting and Financial Management

Module Aim:
To apply relevant knowledge and skills and exercise professional judgment as expected of a senior financial executive or advisor, in taking or recommending
decisions relating to the financial management of an organisation. This module focuses on the strategic challenges confronting firms that compete in the global
economy. It provides students a forum in which they are able to apply and integrate business theories, practices and skills in a global environment. The course examines the forces that are driving firms to globalise, consequences of globalisation, and examines the managerial implications of globalisation. An understanding of management, marketing, financial and economic principles and concepts are assumed.

Assessment

Candidates must pass the four modules mentioned above to meet the requirements for the Post Graduate Certificate in Theory of Accounting. A candidate will be expected to sit for formal written examination at the end of the year. 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 modulework and a formal written examination. Modulework shall account for 30% of the overall assessment while the
formal written examination shall account for 70% of the overall assessment. The pass mark shall be 50% based on the aggregate of the module work

Test, exam and supplementary examination information (this may change for 2018)

Learners will be required to sit for five tests and one final assessment opportunity(examination) per module, all assessments will be written during the day