The ‘Compt’ in the abbreviation does not mean it is a ‘Bachelor in Computer degree;’ rather, BCompt is the English translation of the original Latin phrase: Baccalaureus Computationis<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Shortened, Baccalaureus Computationis becomes ‘BCompt,’ which is the undergraduate accounting degree awarded at the exit point in many universities<\/a><\/span> across the world \u2013 South Africa inclusive.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the degree is commonly referred to as a Bachelor of Accounting Science (B.Acc.Sci.) degree. This undergraduate programme is often<\/em> the most admired degree recognised for subsequent practice as a professional in the accounting world.<\/p>\n The academic programme is offered over a 3-year period after which the successful candidate is awarded a BCompt degree which subsequently opens a pathway to an Honours, Masters, and Doctorate, respectively.<\/p>\n As a graduate who wishes to progress in the discipline, a BCompt degree becomes the foundation that equips the candidate in preparation for further professional achievements \u2013 including becoming a Chartered Accountant and as well a fellow of relevant Accounting bodies recognised in South Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n To be considered for the programme, a prospective candidate should possess a Senior Certificate with endorsement, or a National Senior Certificate granting admission to studies at bachelor level, or a relevant qualification on the NQF Level 6 category<\/span><\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Some institutions also accept students with relevant work and life experiences which can prove that they are competent enough for the academic rigour ahead. Such a prospective student will be tested under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the particular institution \u2013 and as prescribed by the Department of Education.<\/p>\n Related<\/strong>: Top 10 reasons to register for a BCompt degree today!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n A BCom degree is broader and covers many business-related fields, unlike the BCompt which is more focused on making the learner well-grounded in the accounting profession.<\/p>\n In South Africa, the BCom is the Bachelor of Commerce degree that is awarded to successful candidates upon completion of a 3-year academic programme.<\/p>\n In this case, the degree will be a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (BCom-Accounting).<\/p>\n While universities and other private institutions may have slightly different entry requirements, the common standard<\/a> <\/span>is a matric exemption, or a National Senior Certificate, or an ordinary diploma in a relevant discipline.<\/p>\n This entry requirement is typically the same as a BCompt.<\/p>\n Candidates are required to choose a specific major or ‘stream,’ which narrows down their field of study and prepares them for the world of work in the public or private sector.<\/p>\n While a BCom graduate can become a qualified accountant if he or she completes the BCom-Accounting programme, many who desire to become expert accountants choose the BCompt route.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Said otherwise, a BCom graduate<\/a><\/span> is primarily equipped with foundational business skills, even though he or she majors in accounting. The same principle applies to other candidates who choose, for instance, BCom-Marketing, BCom-Human Resource Management, BCom-Banking, or any other such courses in the Management Science faculty.<\/p>\n The career path, available opportunities, remuneration, and content of the modules are some of the points of deviation that separate a BCompt degree<\/a> from a BCom.<\/p>\n Combined, these and several other factors contribute to determining which degree a prospective candidate should choose.<\/p>\n For this article, the contents of the course and career paths are the key points of concern.<\/p>\n Candidates are required to study, turn in a prescribed number of assignments and pass the scheduled tests and examinations of several modules. These independent units of study are typically<\/em> further broken down into two \u2013 compulsory and electives.<\/p>\n That said, the number of modules and methodology of studying and passing them rests squarely with the institution in question.<\/p>\n This semblance of autonomy is no surprise considering that the Council on Higher Education<\/a><\/span> accredits different institutions according to its laid down rules \u2013 and discretion.<\/p>\n In other words, there may be slight variations from institution to institution concerning the number of courses and credits a learner is required to pass before getting the certificate.<\/p>\n In most cases (but not in all institutions), these are the modules a BCompt student is expected to get a grasp of before he\/she gets awarded the qualification.<\/p>\n BCompt Compulsory modules (to be completed over three years)<\/strong><\/p>\n Generally, though, the core modules in a BCompt<\/strong> programme are:<\/p>\n Combined, these courses should provide the student with 360 credits at the point of graduation.<\/p>\n This number of credits also differ from institution to institution. While some may require more, some demand less from their students.<\/p>\n A BCompt graduate is expected to progress towards becoming a professional accountant, a point from which he or she will gradually become a specialist in the various sub-fields like auditing, taxation, risk management, among others.<\/p>\n Armed with such advanced certifications, the BCompt graduate can then qualify as a Chartered Accountant, which is the highest professional accountancy qualification in SA. The CA qualification is prestigious and also seen as the crown jewel of the profession.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n There is a caveat to this, however.<\/p>\n Students who complete the BCompt degree will be required to also register for and complete a Certificate in Theory of Accounting (CTA) programme, or an equivalent qualification.<\/p>\n Upon the completion of a CTA or an equivalent qualification, the student will be eligible to enter a three-year learnership with a registered training office.<\/p>\n During this learnership, students will complete two Qualifying Examinations, namely the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) and the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).<\/p>\n Candidates must pass a CTA or an equivalent qualification to qualify for entry to the ITC.<\/p>\n To qualify for entry to the APC, candidates must successfully complete the ITC, complete a minimum of 20 months of a registered training contract (accredited training office) and successfully complete a professional programme with a registered provider.<\/p>\n On passing the qualifying examinations (ITC and APC), and having completed their learnerships, students will be eligible to register as Chartered Accountants with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)<\/p>\n To become a true professional who possesses the requisite skills, certification, and accreditation a qualified accountant should have, the graduate will naturally be expected to sit for these exams and pass them creditably.<\/p>\n Similar to the BCompt degree, students studying for a BCom degree are expected to pass several modules after turning in assignments, sitting for tests and examinations throughout a 3-year period of study.<\/p>\n The stream (or major) an undergraduate student<\/a><\/span> finally settles for is the crucial determiner that will form the basis of modules he or she is expected to study.<\/p>\n Again, there are some differences, with respect to the modules the student is expected to study and pass. These differences distinguish diverse BCom-awarding institutions, in this respect.<\/p>\n The table below shows the compulsory courses outlined in a typical<\/em> BCom-Accounting (BCom Acc) degree programme.<\/p>\n At the end of the programme, a successful student would have amassed 360 credits from the modules highlighted above.<\/p>\n Like the BCompt, the number of credits obtainable differs from institution to institution.<\/p>\n Have you read<\/strong>: Poor access to higher education in South Africa is a disaster in waiting<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Currently, in South Africa, a Bcom Accounting degree opens a pathway for the graduate to seek further education.<\/p>\n The new graduate will have to enrol for a BCom Hons (Accounting) degree, which serves as a bridging programme towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.<\/p>\n Some institutions offer this Honours degree in three principal specialisations: Taxation, Financial Management, and Internal Auditing.<\/p>\n The graduate can progress by first signing up to a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Science programme, commonly called a CTA (Certificate in the Theory of Accounting).<\/p>\n Subsequently, the candidate can progress to become a CA after completing the mandatory three years\u2019 worth of Articleship (learnership). The Articleship is a hands-on training phase that allows students to take on real accounting assignments for real employers.<\/p>\n Such ‘apprenticeship’ is commonly undertaken at a registered Chartered Accounting firm (or other places where day-to-day accounting is practised).<\/p>\n This phase of studying involves an orientation programme, training, exams, and more.<\/p>\n Read also<\/strong>: What is an MBA; How Does it Work in South Africa?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the event the BCompt or BCom graduate chooses to not pursue higher academic goals by registering for an Honours degree or a postgraduate degree, he or she will still earn a decent salary and be qualified to work in different industries and departments in the private and public sectors, respectively.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, presenting the BCompt qualification to potential employers shows that you possess a strong understanding in the discipline, having spent your first three years as an undergraduate absorbing foundational accounting knowledge at a CHE-accredited higher institution<\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It also shows that you have the relevant technical, systematic, and analytical abilities, as well as a logical approach to problem-solving in an accounting environment.<\/p>\n This is a multi-disciplinary approach that sets the BCompt degree holder (with a CA) apart from other accountants who did not follow that path.<\/p>\n It also explains why they are relatively<\/em> more sought-after than a BCom Acc graduate.<\/p>\n Want to become the accountant of your dreams? Register for a world-class BCompt degree here<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"BCompt](\"https:\/\/www.regenesys.net\/reginsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BCompt-3.webp\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat is a BCom degree?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The differences between a Bcompt and a BCom degree in South Africa<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Contents of the course \u2013 BCompt <\/strong><\/h4>\n
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![\"Bcompt](\"https:\/\/www.regenesys.net\/reginsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Banner_01.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCareer path \u2013 BCompt<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Contents of the course \u2013 BCom<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Career path \u2013 BCom<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h4>\n