Aims and Objectives

Following the University transformation into a Comprehensive Institution in 2010 in terms of the Department of Education directive, the department of Accounting and Auditing at university of Venda is mandated to offer academic and career-focused general degrees, certificates and short courses in accounting and related disciplines mainly to promote entrepreneurial, rural and regional development in Southern Africa.

Community Engagement Activities

The department makes a positive contribution to the University and Vhembe district local community at large in a variety of ways. These include volunteering for participating in local councils, schools and University community engagement committees. The department is currently developing a program to offer workshops and practical training on financial literacy to SMMEs/Cooperatives in Vhembe District in Limpopo Province.

Similar activities have been undertaken at individual levels in the past. However, in line with current university policy on community engagement, projects or activities like these must be officially registered.

Currently the department offers four qualifications:

• To be admitted to any programme of study, a National School Certificate applicant must have a minimum achievement rating of 3(40%) in English.
• To be admitted to an undergraduate degree programme , the applicant must have an NSC, with minimum achievement rating 4 or above (50% or above) in four recognized NSC 20 credit subjects with School and programme specific requirements as follows:

BACHELOR DEGREES*

Admission Criteria

For admission to both BACHELOR OF COMMERCE IN ACCOUNTING (BCOMAC) and COST AND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING (BCOMCM), potential students must comply with the following minimum requirements:

• NSC with Bachelor’s endorsement or grade 12 certificate with exemption
• Minimum Admission Points System (APS) of 26 excluding Life Orientation. Due to limited spaces available for the programme, applicants with an APS score of more than 26 will be given priority during selection stage.
• Minimum achievement level of 3 (40%-49%) or above in English and Mathematics OR Accounting.
  • At the dean’s discretion, Mathematical Literacy at rating 5 or above may be considered. However, Mathematics is strongly recommended as opposed to Mathematical Literacy. If accepted with Mathematical Literacy, students will have to do Business Mathematics (MAT05463 and MAT0544) and as a result, the degree will be completed in four (4) years instead of three (3) years.
  Applicants with an APS of 23 or less than 26 will be considered for Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) extended (four-year) degree programme.

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting – BCOMAC (Accounting)

The four subjects for admission must include Mathematics OR Accounting, and any of the following 20 credit subjects will be an added advantage: Accounting, Economics, Business Studies and Information Technology.

Bachelor of Commerce in Cost and Management Accounting (BCOMCM)

The four subjects for admission must include Mathematics OR Accounting, and any of the following 20 credit subjects will be an added advantage: Accounting, Economics, Business Studies and Information Technology.

* NB: Both degree programmes are accredited by the Department of Education through the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and SAQA. Like many other general or major BCOM (Accounting) degree programmes in universities in South Africa, University of Venda BCOM (Accounting) degree is currently not accredited by SAICA. However, on completion of the BCOM (Accounting) programme you can pursue an Honours programme OR a CA (SA) qualification if you choose to do so. In the case of a CA (SA) qualification you will be required to first do a one year post-graduate bridging diploma at any other institution that offers a SAICA accredited programme in Accounting (CTA), such as UNISA.
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (Accounting and Cost and Management Accounting)
(Old Matriculation Certificate route)
A candidate wishing to register for the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Cost and Management Accounting must have obtained Matriculation Exemption with at least an E-symbol (Standard Grade) or F-symbol (Higher Grade) in English, and a D-symbol (Standard Grade) or E-symbol (Higher Grade) in Mathematics or Accounting.

As above, the four subjects for admission must include Mathematics OR Accounting and any of the following 20 credit subjects will be an added advantage: Accounting, Economics, Business Studies and Information Technology.

HONOURS DEGREES

In addition to local content, the materials used are partly based on the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to allow students flexibility to register with other Accounting professional bodies if they want to in addition to pursuing their honours degree qualification. The qualifications and their respective admission requirements are as stated below:

i. Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Financial Accounting)
BCom (Accounting) or an equivalent approved degree in Accounting, with an average pass mark of 60% in External Financial Reporting (ACC 3541) and Managerial Accounting and Finance (ACC 3641) or equivalent thereof in content.

ii. Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Cost and Management Accounting)
BCom (Cost and Management Accounting) or an equivalent approved degree in Accounting, with an average pass mark of 60% in Techniques and Applications (ACC 3542) and Costing and Control (ACC 3642).

Research is still on a small scale mainly focusing on current financial issues, small and medium enterprises, accounting education, taxation, auditing, financial literacy and presentation of papers at local and international conferences.

The following is a list of staff members and their contact details: