Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Start your journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant with our Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (BCom Accounting). Join an energetic, supportive community dedicated to walking this learning journey with you and enabling your success.

The BCom Accounting provides students with a well-rounded foundational education in preparation to become a Chartered Accountant who can lead responsibly in a variety of roles in the business sector.

Our unique approach immerses you in a South African business context, evolving from a start-up to a listed company. You'll gain practical skills, applying accounting theory and legislation to real-world challenges as you progress through the programme.

Next Start Date

20 February 2025

Duration

3 Years

NQF Level

7

SAQA ID

119198

Credits

415

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About the Programme

The BCom Accounting programme is your gateway to a thriving career in finance and accounting. You will gain the financial and business expertise to progress into various operational, strategic, or future executive roles.

This transformative programme equips you with essential competencies and innovative thinking skills to master finance in the dynamic world of accounting. It prepares you to apply for accreditation with professional associations such as ACCA, CIMA, and SAIPA, and qualify as a Chartered Accountant with our SAICA Accredited CTA. 

What We Offer 

  • Flexible learning that fits around your work and life. 
  • A structured weekly journey with easy-to-follow schedules.
  • Lecturers available for guidance during the day and after hours.
  • An engaging and supportive community walking the learning journey with you.
  • Choice to write assessments online or at one of our many venues across South Africa and Namibia. 

Programme Structure

Compulsory modules are offered across five delivery themes throughout the three-year period. These are:

  • Analysis and decision-making (within the business context)
  • Financial reporting and compliance (within the business context)
  • Risk and governance (within the business context)
  • Strategy and leadership (within the business context)
  • Assurance and other engagements (outside the business context)

  • A flexible three-year degree that can be done on a full- or half-load option, allowing you to complete the programme over three or six years, with a maximum of nine years.
  • There are two intakes each year (February and July).
  • A choice between the CA or Professional Accounting stream at the end of Year One (access to the CA stream will require you to maintain a minimum average for Year One modules).

Students can complete the programme in a minimum of three or six years, and a maximum of nine years.

To complete the programme in three years, students need to dedicate about 40 hours a week to studies, just like at a contact university. We call this the full-load programme. 

If students can’t dedicate 40 hours per week for the full-load, there is the option to complete the programme over a minimum of six years on a half-load.

Semester One:
  • Digital Skills for Financial Analysis 
  • Economics and Foresight for Business Strategy 
  • Financial Reporting Principles 
  • Introduction to Law for Business 
  • Introduction to Professional Accounting Studies 
  • Mathematical Principles for Financial Analysis  

 Semester Two:   

  • Advanced Digital Skills for Financial Analysis 
  • Financial Reporting and Compliance 1B 
  • Mercantile Law 
  • Principles of Micro and Macroeconomics 
  • Statistical Principles for Financial Analysis  

Students opting for a half-load can enrol for Semester one modules by choosing one of the following options: 

Option One:

  • Digital Skills for Financial Analysis 
  • Financial Reporting Principles 
  • Introduction to Professional Accounting Studies 
  • Mathematical Principles for Financial Analysis  

Option Two: 

  • Economics and Foresight for Business Strategy 
  • Introduction to Law for Business 
  • Introduction to Professional Accounting Studies  

The progression to Semester Two modules is dependable on the specific prerequisite module conditions. 

Semester One:
  • Analysis and Decision-Making 2A
  • Applied Business Information Systems
  • Financial Reporting and Compliance 2A
  • Introduction to Risk and Governance
  • Strategy and Leadership in Value Creation 
Semester Two: 
  • Analysis and Decision-Making 2B
  • Financial Reporting and Compliance 2B
  • Risk and Governance for Complex Information Systems
  • Strategy and Leadership for Growth 

Semester One: 
  • Analysis and Decision-Making 3A
  • Financial Reporting and Compliance 3A
  • Legislative Framework for Risk and Governance
  • Strategy and Leadership for Stakeholder Engagement
  • Tax Law and Compliance 
Semester Two:  
  • Advanced Principles of Risk and Governance
  • Analysis and Decision-Making 3B
  • Auditing
  • Financial Reporting and Compliance 3B
  • Responsible Business Leadership 

  • Series of bite-sized video lectures covering every concept
  • Quizzes to test your knowledge
  • Practice questions and past tests and exams with feedback videos
  • One-on-one live online discussions
  • Weekly live online group discussions for each subject
  • Scheduled weekly online classes (option to attend class from anywhere during lunch time or early evening)
  • Mentorship from lecturers and past students
  • Start conversations, share knowledge, and build communities with other students
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Applicants require a Senior Certificate with endorsement/exemption or a National Senior Certificate with minimum pass marks for English and Mathematics.

Minimum Admission Requirements

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Candidates who matriculated in 2008 or later with a National Senior Certificate require: 

  • a minimum of 50% in four NSC 20-credit subjects,* including English (at Home Language level) as the language of instruction at Milpark Education, as certified by Umalusi.
  • A minimum mark of 60% for English at First Additional Language level will be expected where candidates did not complete English at Home Language level. *Life Orientation is not a 20 credit bearing subject.
  • A minimum mark of 50% for Mathematics or 70% for Mathematics Literacy.
  • Candidates who do not meet the Mathematics requirement but who have achieved a minimum mark of 50% or higher in any two of the following subjects may be offered admission on condition that they successfully complete the bridging programme: Economics, Business Economics, Accounting, Physical Science or Physics/Chemistry, Natural Science or Biology.

Candidates who matriculated in 2007 or earlier with a Senior Certificate

  • Candidates who have a Senior Certificate but who do not meet the matriculation endorsement/exemption requirements stated above, may apply to Universities South Africa (USAf), for mature age exemption (https://mb.usaf.ac.za/).
  • A symbol of E or higher for Mathematics on HG, or a symbol of D or higher for Mathematics on SG. Candidates who do not meet the Mathematics requirement may be offered admission on condition that they successfully complete the BCom bridging programme, if they have achieved at least a symbol of E on HG or a C on SG in any two of the following subjects: Economics, Business Economics, Accounting, Physical Science or Physics/Chemistry, Natural Science or Biology

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

  • In certain cases, admission to the BCom in Accounting may be granted through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Before applying for RPL, please review the minimum requirements here. 

Higher Certificate or Diploma

  • Candidates who have completed a relevant Higher Certificate (NQF 5) or Diploma (NQF 6) in the field of business or commerce with specialist modules in accounting, may also be admitted to the BCom degree.
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Resources and Support Information

Factsheet

Download our factsheet for everything you need to know about our BCom in Accounting.   

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RPL Requirements

Find out more about being admitted via the RPL route here.

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Textbooks

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Fees and Payment Terms

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Timetable

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Technology Requirements

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Pathway to becoming a CA

Explore your path to becoming a Chartered Accountant CA(SA).

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Distance Learning Online

Milpark’s instructor-led online programmes offer flexible learning, as well as access to all content, activities, and assessments in our virtual learning environment. You’ll receive milestones to ensure you are focused, and regular online engagement with lecturers to support your learning. For all modules, you can also attend live classes or watch recordings at your convenience and be part of the online community of students.

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Learn More

Watch our short video's below to learn more about we support your learning.

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