About UNISA College of Accounting Sciences

About UNISA College of Accounting Sciences

Vision

• Towards excellence in accountancy

Mission

• Maintain a market related accounting qualifications framework
• A student centered teaching and learning experience
• An enabling research and innovation environment
• Community connectivity to promote sound teaching and learning practices and relevant research
• Well governed College
• An environment where staff and students can excel

History

As the largest of Unisa’s six colleges, the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) previously catered for close to 50% of all enrolled Unisa students with enrolments escalating to more than 350 000 in 2013.

In order to address the managerial issues which arose as a result of the university-wide growth in student numbers and the rapid growth at CEMS, the college was split in two in 2013, resulting in the new College of Accounting Sciences (CAS). This new college stems from the School of Accounting Sciences (originally part of CEMS) which offers a variety of professional programmes with a tuition model that is very different to that of CEMS.

Context

The establishment of the College of Accounting Sciences signals a strong commitment by the university to contribute towards the implementation of the National Development Plan. It is now an opportune time for the college, through its teaching and learning, research and community engagement practices, to improve its standing, position and credibility in accounting sciences nationally and on the continent.
Accounting sciences, as a national priority, has the potential to alleviate poverty and reduce inequalities and unemployment through market relevant educational opportunities. Its strategic impact on corporate value creation through the teaching of financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation is evident in the number of accounting graduates produced.  The college enrols on average 40% of all accounting students of South Africa and at least 20% of accounting graduates (see table below). The college is privileged to produce over 50% of black chartered accountants and should retain this advantage and its impact on society. Therefore, the college acknowledges its responsibility to produce high quality graduates, for the various accounting professions, to protect and enhance the financial interest of the South African public.

YEARS	NATIONAL			UNISA			TOTAL MARKET	% GRADUATES PRODUCED FOR THE SECTOR
	HEADCOUNTS	GRADUATES	THROUGHPUT RATE	HEADCOUNTS	GRADUATES	THROUGHPUT RATE
2005	88062	12 267	14%	34516	2 099	6%	39%	17%
2006	94530	14 019	15%	39070	1 773	5%	41%	13%
2007	95125	14 465	15%	41618	2 087	5%	44%	14%
2008	95410	14 341	15%	44375	2 185	5%	47%	15%
2009	97613	14 591	15%	44284	2 060	5%	45%	14%
2010	93753	14 196	15%	42841	3 153	7%	46%	22%
2011	95925	14 408	15%	45422	3 043	7%	47%	21%
2012	81306	14 635	18%	33446	2 895	9%	41%	20%

Furthermore, the college will continue to value its relationships with all relevant professional bodies to retain credibility in the market as well as its accreditation. Collaborating with industry, the Auditor General and other government bodies will ensure that graduates are recognised as competent, disciplined and ethical accountants and auditors, to serve the needs of South Africa. Unisa accountants must at all times carry out their duties competently, fearlessly and in good faith.

It is against this background, and the strategic intent of the University at large, that the college defines its journey of the next five years.