INFORMATION BROCHURE & APPLICATION FOR. MASTER S DEGREE (MCom) COMPUTER AUDITING. Department of Accountancy Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences

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1 INFORMATION BROCHURE & APPLICATION FOR 2017 MASTER S DEGREE (MCom) COMPUTER AUDITING Department of Accountancy Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences 1

2 1. Introduction MCom (Computer Auditing) is a two year programme that starts in February MCom Computer Auditing has been developed with the help of experts from various accounting firms as well as firms in commerce and industry. The qualification builds on the learner s basic knowledge of computer auditing and related accounting and auditing principles, with the emphasis on fostering the ability of learners to research a specific field of computer auditing and then to manage at a high level the process thereof. 2. Programme details The course will be presented in four modules over two years. EF. 37 MASTER OF COMMERCE IN COMPUTER AUDITING (M3CC3Q) MCom (Computer Auditing) Part Time HEQSF LEVEL 9 HEQSF CREDITS: 180 PURPOSE: The student should develop applied specialised competence in the mastering, interpretation, understanding, analysis and application of accounting principles in the financial accounting field. Through a limited scope dissertation, a qualifying student should show evidence of independent and original scientific work. RULES OF ACCESS: A potential student should possess an honours qualification or a postgraduate diploma in a related computer auditing field, on New NQF level 8/Old NQF level 7. Alternatively any other four-year qualification on New NQF level 8/ Old NQF level 7 and related practical auditing experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Accountancy. Preparatory study and an entrance examination may be required by the Department of Accountancy. A selection process will be followed. 2

3 CURRICULUM MODULE NAME Half Semester (Q) / Semester (S) / Year module (Y) Year presented (1 or 2) Semester presented (1 or 2 / 0 if year module) MODULE CODE NEW NQF CREDITS IT Risk and Risk Management S 1 1 RSM9X01 35 System Development, Computer Security and Business Continuity S 1 2 DIC9X02 35 Audit and IT Compliance S 2 1 AIT9X01 35 Research methodology: Computer Auditing Limited scope dissertation: Computer Auditing S 1 2 RMC9X02 15 S 2 1 & 2 LSC9X01and LSC9X Programme material and lectures Most of the material needed for the course can be obtained through the internet. Selected information will be made available to learners in the weeks prior to the lecture. It is expected of students to use the material provided to comprehensively for each class and to demonstrate the level of knowledge acquired through the participation in discussions during the lectures. The level of participation and mainly the quality of the input will be judged and form part of the final course grade. Please note that class attendance is compulsory. 4. MCom Degree Coordination Head of Master s Degrees MCom Programme Coordinator (Computer Auditing) Lecturer MCom Programme Administrator Prof. D Coetsee dcoetsee@uj.ac.za Me. R. Smith rozannes@uj.ac.za Mr. J van Graan Johan.VanGraan@vodacom.co.za Me. Marlene Pienaar marlenep@uj.ac.za Please note that all enquiries and applications should be directed to Me. Pienaar. 3

4 5. Admission Requirements 1. A potential student should possess an honours qualification or a postgraduate diploma in Accounting or (Financial Management) on HEQSF level 8/NQF level 7. Alternatively any other four-year qualification with honours status on HEQSF level 8/NQF level 7 and related experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Accountancy. 2. Related work experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Accountancy will be considered. 3. A short research-orientated paper to assess your ability to write academically see details of requirements for assignments (Appendix A). 4. Adequate English language proficiency The Departmental selection process will be based on the following criteria: Your research-orientated paper (Appendix A) Your motivation for entering the programme (Appendix B) Your work experience Your previous academic history and marks obtained (Please note that the outcome of your application will be conveyed to you once the selection committee has made their decision during October 2016.) 4

5 6. Application Requirements The following documentation must be submitted electronically to the MCom course coordinator Ms. Marlene Pienaar at as from 1 June 30 September (International students need to submit before 1 August 2016). No late applications will be accepted. A Departmental Application form (Appendix B) A research-orientated paper (Appendix A) Certified copies of the following documents must accompany you application: Degree Certificate (Honours or equivalent four-year university degree) Official Academic Record Certificate of Conduct (obtained from the University where your Honours or four-year equivalent degree was completed) South African Identity document Recent CV Please take note that apart from you application form that needs to be submitted electronically to the Department of Accountancy at marlenep@uj.ac.za you also need to apply via the UJ system (see UJ website) in order for you to review your application status. Please take note of the following: 1. New Applicants Please complete both application forms (Departmental Application form as well as the UJ Application form on the web). Please upload all supporting documentation as requested for the UJ Application, otherwise the system will not complete your application process. Before you can complete the UJ Application you should pay the application fee as indicated on the web. Payment must be made into the UJ bank account: ABSA Auckland Park Account Number Reference Number: ID Number 5

6 2. Previous Students: Applicants who have studied previously at this institution are also required to complete both application forms stating your UJ student number on the UJ application form. An official Academic Record and ID document must be submitted even if you have studied at this university. You do not have to pay the UJ application fee as requested on the UJ application form. 3. International Students: Applicants need to comply with additional requirements and therefore you must please contact the International Office ( / ) or visit the UJ website. Before applying you must have your degree evaluated by SAQA. Note that your application will not be considered if your degree has not been evaluated by SAQA. Application for International students is from 1 June August IMPORTANT NOTICE No applications will be accepted unless all relevant documentation has been received with your application. 7. A final thought We hope that this course will address your requirements and that it will assist in forming a solid foundation for a future career in the field of financial accounting. Any concerns or issues should be addressed without hesitation to The Head of the MCom Programme, Prof. D. Coetsee via the course administrator Me. M Pienaar at marlenep@uj.ac.za or /3047. This course is dynamic and will be adapted as and when necessary - we must never stop learning from each other! 6

7 Short research-orientated paper Appendix A 1. Purpose As part of the application for this programme it is expected of the applicant to submit a short paper of 2500 words (Arial / New Times Roman, Font size 12, Line spacing 1.5 cm). The short assignment assesses the applicant s level of academic writing abilities and his/her willingness to learn and use referencing techniques. This is a very important consideration keeping in mind the limited scope dissertation as partial fulfilment. The purpose of the short paper as part of the selection process for entry into the Master s programme is to minimize the intake of students who will most likely fail to finish their limited scope dissertation within the required time of 3 years. 2. Requirements In the short assignment it will be expected of the applicant to: Identify an issue or problem relevant to his/her field of application. In taxation it could be an evaluation of a relevant tax case, in accounting it might be an issue regarding a specific standard or a new development and in computer auditing any auditing issue that involves the application of computers. Identify the method or structure that will be applied to resolve the issue. In this instance it will consist of a literature review and the applicant s own arguments to resolve the issue. Discuss and resolve the identified issue in the content of the short paper. Use appropriate referencing techniques for all material used. 3. Referencing Guidelines In text referencing e.g. (Smith, 2009) where the information in the brackets includes information about the author and the year in which the document consulted was published are used to reference where the thoughts of other authors have been used or for direct citations (instances where the direct words of other authors are used). Direct quotes must be included in quotation marks. For guidelines see All references consulted need to be listed at the end of the assignment in the form of a reference list. The reference list should be in a consistent form based on the nature of the applicable source such as indicated below: 7

8 Reference list examples: An Article: Walton, P. (2006). Fair value and executory contracts: moving the borders in international financial reporting. Accounting and Business Research, 36(4): A Book: Watts, R. L. & Zimmerman, J. L. (1986). Positive Accounting Theory. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall. A Standard: International Accounting Standards Board (IASB): IAS 39: Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. London: IASB Case Law: Port Elizabeth Electric Tramway Co Ltd v CIR, 1936, CPD 241, 8 SATC 13. An Internet Reference: Blake, N. (1999b). The promise of mobile technologies for education. Edulink, (3)2. Available from: (Accessed 8 February 2001). The following link leads to an abridged version for Referencing Techniques on the university library website. Please take note that the Department of Accountancy uses the Harvard method of referencing. 08%20Harvard%20Method%20 and%20apa%20style.pdf. 4. Plagiarism Each assignment will be submitted online to an online anti-plagiarism program that will monitor the prevalence of plagiarism (unrightfully portraying the work of another author as your own without due respect) in the document. The Department of Accountancy supports the university policy of zero tolerance towards plagiarism and holds the right to refuse any student access to the Masters programme in the event of discovering that the prospective student has committed plagiarism. 8

9 Appendix B MCOM COMPUTER AUDITING APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 2017 Special note: All Information on the application form will be treated as strictly confidential. PERSONAL PARTICULARS Surname Full names Telephone Home Cell Address Postal Address Code: Work Address Code: Higher education training (Please start with your highest qualification) Degree University Year Started Year Completed Professional Qualification 9

10 Please state actual average obtained with your Honours or related degree. % % WORK EXPERIENCE Current Previous Previous Employer Position Number of years employed Years of experience Submit ALL relevant documents (see Application Requirements p. 5 ) together with the following certified copies to Me. Pienaar before 30 September International students should submit their application forms before 01 August NB! No applications will be considered unless all certified copies as stated below are attached to the application form. Degree Certificate (Honours / Four year University Degree) An official academic record Certificate of conduct (obtained from the university where you completed this degree - it might be stated on your academic record). Copy of your ID. (Drivers licence are not acceptable) Me. M Pienaar: marlenep@uj.ac.za 10

11 Please write a motivation indicating why we should accept you on the MCom Programme. DECISION (OFFICE USE ONLY Accepted for MCom Computer Auditing Reason Rejected: 11