Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Southern Institute of Technology

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Accounting is to give people who already have a degree, or extensive business experience, an opportunity to extend their knowledge in accounting, without having to complete a degree.

This programme is suitable for those who have an existing qualification and want to add accounting to their skill-set. It requires completion of Bachelor of Commerce second year pre-requisite papers for both financial and management accounting (compulsory).

Our teaching staff have extensive business experience, combined with excellent academic backgrounds and strong links with the professions, while our programmes have a strong practical and applied focus. We know that our programmes will challenge you, but that you will feel supported by us and excited about your future once you decide to study with us. Our business staff are passionate about teaching and enjoy working with students of all ages and from different cultures.

Course Content

Compulsory papers

• ACC601 Financial Accounting
• ACC602 Management Accounting
• ACC701 Advanced Financial Reporting
• ACC702 Advanced Management Accounting

At least 45 credits must be taken from the following list of papers

• ACC704 Applied Research Project - Accounting - 30 credits (by Programme Leader approval only)
• ACC705 Auditing
• CON759 Contemporary Issues
• ETH760 Business Ethics
• IBS790 International Business
• WPE700 Workplace Experience

Balance of credits may be taken from the following list of papers (Up to 15 credits)

• ACC502 Introduction to Accounting
• ACC503 Accounting Practices
• ACC504 Introduction to Budgeting & Taxation
• ACC505 Analysis of Financial Information
• ACC603 Business Finance
• ACC604 Accounting Information Systems
• ACC606 Taxation
• LAW510 Commercial Law
• LAW610 Company Law

If a Level 5 paper is selected it must be taken before relevant Level 6 and 7 papers.

Career Opportunities

Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Accounting, will have developed skills and knowledge in the area of accounting. The programme provides the theoretical, practical and professional skills appropriate for employment in a range of accounting areas or further study in the many industries.

Graduates will be able to work in a range of accounting disciplines including financial accounting, financial management, corporate accounting, taxation, auditing, and business consulting in many industries.

Satisfactory Completion

Every candidate for the qualification of Graduate Diploma in Accounting is required to follow to the satisfaction of the Board of Studies, a programme of study for a minimum period of one year. Each year of study comprises two 17-week semesters.

The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 120 credits for successful completion of the qualification.

Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which may be required to be satisfied by students.

In order to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Accounting, the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the programme schedule.

A student completing the graduate diplomas will normally be expected to complete the one year programme (full-time equivalent) within four years.

Notwithstanding the requirements set out above, the Head of Faculty with the approval and recommendation of the Board of Studies may allow a student a longer period to complete the programme.