Overview

The PGDip Specialised Accountancy in the field of Integrated Thinking and Value Creation views ‘the business’ within the context of broader society, rather than merely as a profit-driven entity bound by short-term financial incentives. It is with this in mind that Prof. Mervyn King is calling for the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to become that of a Chief Value Officer (CVO).

This new role requires a thorough understanding of the following topics:

• Stakeholder inclusivity
• Environmental responsibility
• Long-term sustainability

The Postgraduate Diploma consists of four short courses.

• The first course is an integrated thinking-themed course that examines integrated thinking and value creation in a practical context with a focus on how the CVO, either in a dedicated role or in some other executive capacity, could be expected to oversee the management of multiple types of capital.
• The second course is a governance-themed course that covers outcomes-based governance and its application to emerging issues such as COVID and climate change. The course considers the drivers and consequences of good governance and how an outcomes-based approach to governance is essential for effective multi-capital management, stakeholder engagement and long-term value creation.
• The third course in the CVO programme is an assurance-themed course which deals with, inter alia, the nature and emergence of combined assurance, the role of external assurors in the preparation of integrated reports and the relevance of assurance for the broader value creation.
• The fourth course in the programme deals with the ethical behaviours expected from accounting professionals. Like finance and accounting, ethics has become an essential business function and organisations establish business ethics to promote integrity among their employees and gain trust from their shareholders.

Students enrolled for the postgraduate diploma must complete all four courses, each of which includes assessments. 

Course lecturers and course input

Some of the leading minds in the topics covered have provided input into, and lecture on the courses, including academics from the Wits School of Accountancy and topic experts from the profession and business. These include:

• Professor Mervyn King
• Professor Warren Maroun, Wits
• Adjunct Professor Yvette Lange, Wits
• Associate Professor Danielle Cerbone, Wits
• Adjunct Professor Zubair WadeeZubair Wadee, Wits

Curriculum

Diploma course codes

• ACCN5048A: Outcomes-based Corporate Governance 
• ACCN5032A: Integrated Thinking and Value Creation 
• CCN5033A: Sustainability Assurance
• ACCN5034A: Codes of Professional Conduct for Professional Accountants

Part-Time students will pick up any 2 modules in the first year and the remaining 2 in the second. Full-Time students complete all 4 courses in one year.

Entry Requirements

The following persons may be admitted by the Senate as a candidate:

• a graduate holding a Bachelor of Accountancy of this or any other university;
• a graduate holding a Bachelor of Accounting Science with Honours of this or any other university;
• a graduate holding a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours of this or any other university;
• a graduate holding a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Accounting Science of this or any other university and has 5 years practical experience at a managerial or executive level;
• a graduate holding a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Accounting Science of this or any other university, whom the Senate has specially exempted from the Honours qualification on the ground of her/his exceptional distinction or experience.

In addition to the above, with the exception of (d) above, a candidate should have at least 3 years of practical experience at a managerial or executive level.

Candidates must also have an accounting-related professional designation from the following bodies:

• SAICA
• ACCA
• SAIPA
• SAIBA/CIBA
• CIMA
• Others would be considered on a case-by-case basis, if requested

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.