Accounting & Financial Services

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA)

Study the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and take the next step toward the Chartered Accountant pathway in South Africa. This SAICA-endorsed PGDA strengthens your technical depth in financial reporting, auditing, taxation and management accounting. It gives you the advanced academic base needed for SAICA training and prepares you for professional assessments.

When you study with Boston, you build the discipline and analytical clarity needed for high level accounting work. You work with complex information, apply ethical judgement and tackle integrated scenarios that reflect real business environments.

This PGDA supports your readiness for the SAICA Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) and professional practice by embedding the “CA of the Future” competency framework, and lays the foundation for steady progression into the CA career route.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is also endorsed by the South African Institute of Tax (SAIT), which opens the path to SAIT’s highest professional designation: Tax Adviser South Africa (TA(SA)).

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting

Time to Complete

1 Year (min) - 2 Years (max)

Study Options

Full-time, Part-time or Flexi-time - via online learning (ODeL)

Credits

120

NQF Level

8

SAQA ID

122741

Field of Study

Accounting & Financial Services

Further Study Options:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
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Entry Requirements

Primary Entry Pathway

SAICA-endorsed Bachelor’s Degree (e.g., Boston BAcc) with a minimum 60% average across all third-year modules. The third year must be completed within one academic year (allowing two years to enrol) OR two consecutive academic years (allowing one year to enrol).

Candidates Not Meeting the Primary Entry Requirements

Time limit not met: Candidates must register for all third-year Boston BAcc modules for non-degree purposes to meet the completion duration requirement.
60% average not met: Candidates must register for relevant Boston BAcc third-year modules (those with an average below 60%) for non-degree purposes and achieve the required 60% average before admission.

Alternative Entry Pathway

SAICA-endorsed Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7, 120 credits) with a 60% average, with the same requirements as above, will enable entry.

Need More Information?

See the Fact Sheet for detailed entry requirements.

This programme is offered by Boston City Campus in the distance mode of education with support provided at Learner Support Centres. Apply to register at any Boston City Campus Learner Support Centre nationwide.

All modules are compulsory and must be passed

Career Opportunities in Accounting and Financial Services

Graduates can pursue roles such as:

  • Audit manager
  • Accountant in practice
  • Financial Manager
  • Management Consultant
  • Financial Advisor
  • Internal Auditor
  • Tax Specialist
  • Cost and Management Accountant
  • Credit Analyst
  • Tax Accountant
  • Budget Analyst
  • Business Manager
  • Banking
  • Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))
Some roles may require additional professional registration, supervised experience, or regulatory exams.

Download Fact Sheet

Download CA(SA) Roadmap
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Year 1 of 1

  • Advanced Financial Accounting, including IFRS and Group Statements
  • Advanced Management Accounting and Finance
  • Advanced Auditing and Governance
  • Advanced Taxation
  • Capstone

Year 1 of 2

  • Advanced Management Accounting and Finance
  • Advanced Auditing and Governance

Year 2 of 2

  • Advanced Financial Accounting, including IFRS and Group Statements
  • Advanced Taxation
  • Capstone

Please refer to the Fact Sheet for details on assessment strategies.

On completion of the programme, graduates will have the necessary knowledge and practical skills required to:

  • Conceptualise and solve complex accounting problems in an entity’s individual financial statements and group financial statements in terms of International Financial Reporting Standards.
    Develop and demonstrate the cognitive ability to provide divergent insights, rigorous interpretations and robust solutions to practical problems through critically applying cost and financial decision-making management techniques.
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the statutory environment that governs the audit profession including the formulation of audit procedures by critically evaluating an entity’s internal control – and risk environment.
  • Critically assess and apply tax legislation based on an advanced understanding of the tax consequences for individuals, companies and distinctive tax matters in terms of the South African tax legislative framework.
  • Identify and appropriately address ethical issues by applying advanced knowledge of ethical principles embedded in and required of a Chartered Accountant.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate the complexities of accounting standards, audit procedures, tax legislation and cost and financial management techniques.
  • Critically review, evaluate, present and communicate information effectively to a range of audiences by developing appropriate responses through problem-solving and decision-making.

BOSTON POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME

On successful completion, the Learner will be issued a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting SAQA 122741, NQF 8, minimum 120 credits from Boston City Campus