Unisa Courses: Course in Practical Municipal Accounting

QUALIFICATION CODE: 75450
MODULE CODES: MUFA01C & MUFA02D

Objective
The Centre for Accounting Studies at Unisa developed a short learning program focusing on municipal finance and accounting aimed at officials that is theoretically founded, practical based with formal assessment.
The objective of this course is to provide competencies (knowledge, skills and values) to municipal financial staff in respect of legislative requirements, financial and accounting principles, key operating activities and efficiency, as well as the accounting process up to the presentation of annual financial statements.

Who should enrol for this course?
The target audience for this course are people who are municipal financial officials in South Africa and/or interested in municipal finance and accounting. Students must have access to a computer and e-mail.
Language
The course is presented in English.
Duration
The duration of the course is one year (two modules - one module per semester).
Prerequisite
Both modules are offered every semester, but Module 1 is a prerequisite for Module 2.

Registration requirements

• Students must have access to a computer and e-mail as all study material will be communicated in electronic format.
• A senior certificate or equivalent qualification or equivalent work experience.

Registration dates

• First semester:            1 December 2010 – 28 January 2011
• Second semester:       1 May 2011 – 15 July 2011

Curriculum
Module 1:   MUFA01C (Municipal Accounting Framework)
·           Legislative framework for municipal accounting
·           Municipal accounting principles and practices
·           The budgeting process (Operating and Capital)
·           Budgetary control
·           The accounting process
·           Cash management
·           Supply chain management


Module 2:   MUFA02D (Practical Municipal Accounting)

·           Income and expenditure transactions
·           Capital transactions        
·           Financial statements – preliminary work
·           Year end adjustment entries
·           Statement of financial performance
·           Statement of financial position
·           Statement of changes in net assets
·           Cash flow statement
·           Analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
Fees
The course fee of R4800 (R2400 per module (MUFA01C / MUFA02D)) is payable as follows:

• Semester 1:    R2 400 (payable by 28 January 2011)
• Semester 2:    R2 400 (payable by 15 July 2011)

Method of tuition and examination

• The theoretical content will be communicated in electronic format via myUnisa and e-mail. Students who require hard copies of study material must print it at their own cost.
• Two assignments will be set per module and the final competency test is a two-hour examination for each module.
• A two-hour examination will take place in May/June 2011 for the first semester registrations and October/November 2011 for second semester registrations.

Credits / Standard of the course
NQF level 5
12 credits
Enquiries (Registrations, study material, administrative queries):
Stephanie Gobe
Tel no:             (012) 429 4737 (8am-1pm)
Fax no:            (012) 429 3831
E-mail:             gobes@unisa.ac.za
Further information regarding contents of the course is obtainable from:
Prof D Scott
Tel no:             (012) 429 4450 (8am-1pm)
Fax no:            (012) 429 3424
E-mail:             scottd@unisa.ac.za