Akademia has just received the news that the Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation programme will be accredited by the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT). According to Nikki Kennedy, programme coordinator, this accreditation follows after months of discussion with SAIT as well as an intensive accreditation process. The positive outcome of this application was announced on 9 May.

Dr Rachel Maritz, dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, explains that it is important to Akademia that both programmes are practice-oriented and relevant. She also says that professional accreditation, like that of the Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation by SAIT, is evidence that this programme is aligned with critical industry standards and requirements. “This accreditation is further evidence that this institution equips his students for the workplace and consequently offers the opportunity to contribute productively to their community,” Maritz says.

In turn, Kennedy explains that this accreditation holds various advantages for both the institution and students. For Akademia as an independent higher education institution this accreditation speaks directly to the quality of education that happens in this field, as well as the expansion of this institution’s status as study home regarding businesses partners like SAIT.

“The accreditation of academic programmes offers Akademia the opportunity to be judged by independent professional bodies. This assessment ensures that the programme is aligned with the expectations of the world of practice,” says Kennedy. She adds that the accreditation offers students in this programme a great deal of reassurance. The latter refers to the official recognition that the programme meets the high and very specific operational requirements and thus paves the way for students to acquire SAIT membership. Membership requires students to, as prescribed by SAIT, gain relevant practical experience and successfully pass the final entrance exam.

According to Kennedy the Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation, that is presented via the institution’s after-hours distance model, is a perfect fit for persons that want to specialise in the field of taxation or that already works in the field. This programme can be completed in a scope of one to three years. This programme enables students to take their full place in the work environment by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to, as a tax expert, ensure organisational and individual compliance with the requirements of the South African Revenue Service and the National Treasury.

The following programmes in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences also has official accreditation by other professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants (CIMA), the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), the Southern African Institute for Business Accountants (SAIBA), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI).

• BCom (Management Accounting)

• BCom (Financial Planning)

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