CIS international qualifying programmes 1 to 3
CIS Professional Advanced Qualification:
Governance and Administration
SAQA ID 60655
CIS Professional Qualification: Governance and
Administration
SAQA ID 60653
CIS Professional Qualification: Management and
Administration
SAQA ID 60651
The CIS Qualifying Scheme is designed to
provide the knowledge component in the
suite of requirements that need to be met for
candidates wishing to apply for membership of
the Institute. Other requirements include proof
of personal integrity, commitment to the code
of ethics, proof of a commitment to life-long
learning, work experience and competency.
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
published Nov 2008 (vers. 1) Page 1 of 20
CIS INTERNATIONAL QUALIFYING PROGRAMME
2009 PROSPECTUS
Table of Contents and Preface
Table of Contents
PREFACE
1. CHARTERED SECRETARIES – SOUTHERN AFRICA
1.1 Background
1.2 CIS Registration
1.3 CIBM (Chartered Institute of Business Management)
1.4 Abbreviations
2. THE GRADICSA QUALIFICATION
2.1 The Purpose of the Qualification
2.2 Registration on the National Qualifications Framework
2.3 Structure of the Curriculum
2.4 Assessments Policy
3. GENERAL STUDENT INFORMATION
3.1 Delivery Methods
3.2 IT Information
3.3 Study Programme
3.4 Enrolment Procedure
3.5 Fees and Banking Details
3.6 Examination-Related Information
3.7 The Code of Conduct
3.8 Special Needs and Disabilities
3.9 Rechecking and Re-marking of Scripts
3.10 Cancellations
3.11 Failure to Pay
3.12 Study Loans
4. EXEMPTIONS AND RECOGNITION OR PRIOR LEARNING
4.1 Portfolio of Evidence
4.2 Exemption Fee
5. MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Language Policy
5.2 Forms
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
7. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
7
8
8
8
8
9
10
10
13
13
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13
13
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15
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17
CONTACT DETAILS
All enquiries should be directed to the Education and Student Affairs Department.
Tel:
011 403 2900
Fax
Fax for students outside SA
E-mail
info@icsa.co.za
011 339 5393
+27 11 339 5393
Website: www.icsa.co.za
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Head Office Physical address:
14th Floor, Sable Centre, 41 De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
Postal address: P.O. Box 221, WITS, 2015
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
published Nov 2008 (vers. 1)
CIS Professional Qualifications
PREFACE
The CIS International Qualifying Scheme – a life-long career support package
ƒ
CIS – brand name for the qualifying course of study to become a Chartered Secretary
ƒ
The Institute in Southern Africa is known as Chartered Secretaries – Southern Africa.
The CIS course of study is designed to equip them to enter the profession as a Chartered Secretary.
It is a tough and rigorous course, in keeping with the intense demands made on the Chartered
Secretary in his or her chosen specialised field, whether it be a Company Secretary, Accountant,
Accounting Officer, Administrator or Manager.
Embarking on a career as a Chartered Secretary involves a life-long career relationship between the
Institute and its students, who progress to become CIS members. The final course of study is the CIS
International Qualifying Board Examination and successful candidates become Graduates of the
Institute or GradICSA.
GradICSA is an in interim membership category of Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa and a
membership fee is payable until enough work experience has been accumulated to enable the
GradICSA to apply for an upgrade to Associate Membership (ACIS).
After completing the qualifying course of study, the GradICSA member then needs to gain specific
experience to apply to be admitted as an Associate member of the Institute or ACIS. An ACIS
Member is a Chartered Secretary. If the ACIS member has Financial Accounting III, Tax, Corporate
Law and Cost/Management Accounting, then he/she may act as an Accounting Officer (for example
for Close Corporations). Further experience at higher organisational levels enables the ACIS member
to apply to achieve the penultimate and most prestigious level of membership of the Institute – the
Fellow or FCIS.
Membership is NOT automatic and is conferred on the basis of academic accomplishment and
work experience, as well as proven personal and professional integrity.
In order to practise in one’s own business as an Accounting Officer or Governance Professional, all
Chartered Secretaries are required to apply and pay for an annually renewable practising certificate.
Personal Checklist
The Chartered Secretary is a high-level professional Administrator, alert to change, strong on people
skills and thoroughly disciplined. In addition, the Chartered Secretary has the ability to communicate
clearly with a range of senior officials and other stakeholders - including Board Directors, Customers,
Bankers, Brokers, Shareholders, Taxation and State officials. The effective Administrator will drive a
team to attend to matters affecting accounting, purchasing, manufacturing, planning, finance, risk
management, compliance, marketing, labour relations, and human resources.
Key personal attributes that a Chartered Secretary needs for success are summed up in the following
diagram:
Numeracy
Objectivity
Able to deal
with change
Discipline
Personal
Attributes
Vision
Attention to
detail
Literacy
Analytical
thinking skills
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications NQF 5 and NQF6
Career Prospects
Qualified and experienced Chartered Secretaries are in very short supply. They are in demand for
their range of skills, knowledge, work experience and values (especially integrity, professional
discipline and the willingness to maintain knowledge currency through continuing professional
development – CPD).
Chartered Secretaries command excellent salaries, but the key to getting these top jobs is appropriate
work experience and the maintenance of records of personal integrity and ability through
membership of the Institute.
Membership is vital as it provides the proof of integrity and personal good standing that the modern
employer demands – a portfolio of work evidence, supported by a record of unbroken membership,
provides a job applicant with the edge that is needed in any competitive environment. Membership
provides a record of accountability, which is priceless if they are working in the modern Corporate
Governance environment. No other degree or academic qualification can perform the same
accountability function as a professional relationship with an international, prestigious, and
professional body such as Chartered Secretaries.
CEO: Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
published Nov 2008 (vers. 1) Page 4 of 20
Chartered Secretaries Professional Qualifications
CHARTERED SECRETARIES SOUTHERN AFRICA
1.1 BACKGROUND
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators was founded in Great Britain in 1891. The
Southern African Division was the first to be formed outside the United Kingdom in 1909. Since then
our Institute has prospered and our members play a key role in the boardrooms and management
suites of Southern African businesses.
Almost ten per cent of members worldwide belong to our Division and 20 per cent of registered
students live in Southern Africa. Over the years, the Institute has always adapted to the changing
demands of business without sacrificing its high educational standards. This broad base of practical
discipline and skills has proved invaluable in both the public and private sectors.
Not only does membership of the Institute confer prestige locally but members also qualify for
membership of the Institute worldwide.
1.2 CIS REGISTRATION
All students must register with the Institute and pay the annual CIS student registration fee.
The CIS registration number is their student number. This must be used on all correspondence with
the Institute, when writing final assessments, making payments, etc
In keeping with international professional standards, each student of the Institute will be expected to:
•
automatically abide by the CIS code of conduct and code of ethics,
•
allow themselves to be disciplined by the disciplinary structures if they transgress the
professional code, and
•
record their continuing professional development and work competencies in a Portfolio of
Evidence.
1.3 CIBM (CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT)
Please refer to separate booklet for more information on the CIBM.
1.4 ABBREVIATIONS
CIS
CPD
ACIS
FCIS
CIBM
ICSA
PoE
RPL
SAQA
NQF
Name of the International Qualifying Scheme of Chartered Secretaries – (previously
known as the Chartered Institute of Secretaries – CIS)
Continuous Professional Development
Associate member of Chartered Institute of Secretaries
Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries
Chartered Institute of Business Management
Chartered Secretaries - Southern Africa – acronym no longer in use
Portfolio of Evidence
Recognition of Prior Learning
South African Qualifications Authority
National Qualifications Framework
2. THE GRADICSA QUALIFICATION
2.1 PURPOSE OF THE CIS INTERNATIONAL QUALIFYING BOARD EXAMINATION
The CIS International Qualifying Board Examination is the final examination level required for
graduation from the qualifying scheme.
Access to the International Qualifying Board Examination is via two main routes:
Route 1
13 modules as presented in the first three programmes of the CIS Qualifying Scheme. Because this
route includes THREE levels of Accounting, it enables the candidate to practise as an Accounting
Officer, but only once they have been accepted as an Associate (ACIS) or Fellow (FCIS) member of
the Institute.
Successful completion of the Board Examination does NOT automatically confer membership and
does NOT automatically result in Accounting Officer status, in terms of South Africa legislation. (See
also note on Members holding qualifications obtained outside of South Africa).
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications NQF 5 and NQF6
Chartered Secretaries who eventually qualify via this route may practise as Accounting Officers
and Governance Professionals.
Route 2
A professional qualification as approved by the Institute (e.g. the CIS IQS programmes, the ACIBM,
CA, LLB, selected B.Com degrees) for entry to the CIS International Qualifying Board Examination
provided that the student has applied and paid in full for exemption from the under-graduate CIS
qualifying programmes 1 to 3.
Approved degrees allow direct access to the Board Examination, but because they do not all have
THREE accounting levels in the course, these graduates of the Board Examination may ONLY
practise as Chartered Secretaries – Governance Professionals and may NOT practise as Accounting
Officers. They may extend their qualification and then apply to act as Accounting Officers provided
the following subjects have been passed /granted.
•
•
•
•
Accounting I, II and III
Cost and Management Accounting
Taxation
Corporate Law (except for those with a law degree).
Special Note: Students may NOT register for CIS qualifying programme subjects AND Board
Examination subjects simultaneously. All three CIS qualifying programmes will need to be
completed in full OR full exemption will need to be obtained, before students can proceed to
the Board Examinations.
Foreign Qualifications and South African Accounting Officer status
Note for students who have passed qualifications in countries other than South Africa:
In order to be able to practise as an accounting officer in South Africa, students holding
foreign qualifications will have to take the CIS courses in Accounting 3, Taxation and
Corporate Law. On successful completion of these examinations, Chartered Secretaries from
other Divisions may then apply to the Institute for a Practising Certificate.
2.2 REGISTRATION ON THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK
The qualifications are registered as follows on the National Qualifications Framework
CIS
Programme
SAQA ID
Academic
National
Qualification
Professional
Learning
Programme
ID
1
49126
60154
2
50222
60149
3
50224
60151
LEARNING PROGRAMME
QUALIFYING SCHEME)
TITLE
(OF
THE
PROFESSIONAL
CIS
Professional
Qualification:
Management
and
Administration
CIS
Professional
Qualification:
Governance
and
Administration
CIS Professional Advanced Qualification: Governance and
Administration
2.3 STRUCTURE OF THE CURRICULUM
The curriculum comprises the following modules
CIS Professional Qualification: Management and Administration
125 credits
CIS1-1
Foundations of Law (this module must be passed before students will
be permitted to write General Principles of Commercial Law
25 credits
CIS1-2
Financial Accounting I*
25 credits
CIS1-3
General Principles of Commercial Law
25 credits
CIS1-4
Communication
25 credits
CIS1-5
Economics
25 credits
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications
CIS Professional Qualification: Governance and Administration
120 credits
CIS2-1
Management Information Systems
30 credits
CIS2-2
Financial Accounting II*
30 credits
CIS2-3
Taxation*
30 credits
CIS2-4
Management Principles
30 credits
CIS Professional Advanced Qualification: Governance and Administration
120 credits
CIS3-1
Corporate Law*
30 credits
CIS3-2
Financial Accounting III*
30 credits
CIS3-3
Strategic and Operations Management*
30 credits
CIS3-4
Management Accounting*
30 credits
*indicates annual subjects that may not be taken within a semester.
Students need to be aware that the number of credits is an indication of the time required to
complete a module. For example, a 25 credit module requires 250 hours of preparation, consisting
of any combination of study time, attendance at lectures, homework assignments, exam preparation
and work experience. The Institute assumes that by the time s student writes the examination,
he/she has met these requirements.
This implies that each of the qualifications is, under normal circumstances, a one-year course.
Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the credit requirements in
terms of the amount of time and preparation required in order to complete each module.
Details of the syllabuses, the required textbooks and information on membership can be found on
the Institute’s website.
Time frames within which the CIS qualifying schemes must be completed:
Course
Exemptions
and
Recognition
of
Prior
Learning
(RPL)
CIS
qualifying
programmes
(3
programmes,
13
subjects)
Prescription
1 year
Comment
Exemptions and RPL expire after one year from date of
issue, unless they are paid for in full and incorporated into
the student credit list.
6 years
(new scheme –
as from 2006)
The three CIS qualifying programmes, encompassing 13
subjects, need to be completed within 6 years of first
registration. Students who have progressed through the old
scheme and who have been converted are allowed the
original 10-year period to complete.
A single application for an extension of 1 year is allowed at
the prescribed fee. (Please see fees list)
CIS International Must complete 4 One application for an extension of one year on this
Qualifying
Board modules in 3 prescription is allowed, at the prescribed fee. (Please see
Examinations
years.
fees list)
Applications for extensions must be made directly to the Institute Head Office.
2.4 ASSESSMENT POLICY
The design, implementation and maintenance of the assessment and qualification will take into
consideration the following guiding principles:
•
•
•
•
Assessment strategies will be in keeping with the aims and outcomes of Learning Programmes,
Standards and Qualifications.
Certificates will be issued in accordance with NQF Qualification requirements.
Assessment of Learners will include those parties who are appropriate to context and outcome,
e.g. self, peers, assessors and moderators.
There will be an external assessment verification procedure implemented to ensure consistent
assessment by all assessors for a standard or qualification.
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications NQF 5 and NQF6
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Learners and Assessors will be provided with all relevant information with reference to
assessments, e.g. required learning outcomes, assessment methods, assessment criteria,
dates, times and venues.
Learners’ records, including a database, will be maintained, compatible with the relevant
ETQA, FASSET and SAQA requirements.
Continuous assessment is the responsibility of the tuition provider with whom the student
registers for a course of study. Tuition providers must be accredited by the Institute to offer
the qualifications.
The external summative assessment is a written examination paper set to the requirements
of the Specific Outcomes of each subject. The Institute administers the examinations.
External summative assessments are conducted annually in May and October. No provision
is made for supplementary sittings.
The summative assessment is evaluated and moderated by accredited SAQA Assessors
and Moderators.
If a learner is found guilty of cheating, his/her entry to that assessment will be cancelled and
they will be barred from future assessments of the Institute. The learner will therefore also
forfeit his CIS registration. Their names will also be made available to other learning
institutions.
Please refer to paragraph 3.5: Examination Related Information for details regarding procedures.
3. GENERAL STUDENT INFORMATION
3.1 DELIVERY METHODS
The Institute does not provide tuition or tuition materials.
It is recommended that students register with an accredited tuition provider who will then supply with
the necessary study materials, course guides and tutorial support.
The Institute prescribes and recommends textbooks. These should be purchased by every student
and kept for the duration of their study programme as some textbooks are used for more than one
level of a subject.
If students choose to study independently, the responsibility lies with them to prepare themselves
adequately for the examinations.
3.2 IT INFORMATION
Students need to have access to a computer. The following list is a guideline as to the minimum
requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Intel Pentium 4 2.5Ghz / AMD Athlon XP 2000+ CPU
20 Gb hard disk
USB port and a memory “flash stick”
CD-ROM
256 Mb DDR-RAM (the bigger the memory the better)
Windows XP Professional / Windows 2000 / Windows ME Professional (for students)
(recommended) but Open Source software may also be used.
MS Office 2003/MS Office XP Professional / MS Office 2000 Professional (recommended) but
Open Source software may also be used.
V.90 56k internal modem (64 / 128K ISDN ideal)
IE v5.5 or later / Mozilla web browser
The Institute advocates that access to a computer is now essential for gaining entry to the workplace
in this profession and one of the ways to become computer-literate is to use such a computer in the
course of a student’s studies.
3.3 STUDY PROGRAMME
To prepare for any written examination, students need to work systematically towards their main goal
– namely to pass the examination. It is therefore imperative that they work according to a study
programme to ensure that they do not fall behind with the tutorial matter.
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications
3.3.1
GUIDE TO STUDY METHODS
Students should realise that the CIS qualifications are professional examinations and that what they
learn is directly relevant to their work.
No single text book, whether recommended or essential, is sufficient to prepare a student
adequately for any CIS examination – it is the student’s responsibility to use the official
syllabus outline to ensure that the required knowledge is obtained from a variety of sources.
It is in a student’s own interest to read as widely as possible. This means not only the lecture notes
of the tuition providers and/or the recommended books, but also the articles which appear in
Boardroom, in financial publications and newspapers, all of which contribute to a better
understanding of the module. Ultimate success is usually in proportion to the time and energy that
students are willing to spend on their studies.
There are a number of general approaches to study which lead to good results. Please refer to the
section on Study Information on our website for guidance regarding effective study methods.
3.3.2
READING TEXTBOOKS / STUDY GUIDES
Whichever study approach students decide to adopt in the light of their own personal needs and
situations, reading the recommended books should be an important part of any learning activity.
Planned study is usually successful study and, therefore, this principle should be applied to the
reading of recommended textbooks as well.
3.3.3
TUITION PROVIDERS
It has been proven over time that students who study with the assistance of a tuition provider do
much better in the examinations than those who choose to study on their own. A list of tuition
providers is available on the website: www.icsa.co.za.
Please note that tuition providers must be accredited by the Institute to offer any of the Institute’s
qualifications. If students register with a tuition provider who is not accredited, they will not receive a
FASSET-accredited certificate. The onus is on students to ensure that they register with an
accredited provider.
Please note that independent or self-study takes self-discipline and hard work, and cannot be
regarded as an easier option than face-to-face tuition.
3.4 ENROLMENT PROCEDURE
Important notice: for ALL registrations (student membership and examinations), the application
form, together with the proof of payment must be submitted either manually or via the online
registration facility. Separation of the form and the proof of payment will result in a failure of the
application as it cannot be processed without the proof of payment.
The onus is on the student to provide clear, irrefutable proof of payment – deposit slips should be
retained in a safe place in the event of any queries.
Students will only be allowed to write the modules for which they have registered and paid. By
signing their registration form, or submitting an online application they declare, inter alia that they
undertake to comply with the rules of the Institute.
3.4.1
Documentation
First-time enrolment
The following documents have to be submitted upon first-time enrolment:
•
•
•
•
Copy of ID
Proof of payment (for direct deposit into the Institute bank account)
Enrolment form
Admission documentation: i.e.
ƒ CIS IQS route – if this is the first enrolment, copy of the CIS Conversion letter
ƒ Exemption route – Institute exemption letter and proof of payment for the exempted subjects
Current enrolment
•
•
Proof of payment (for direct deposit into the Institute bank account or Internet transfer)
Enrolment form
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications NQF 5 and NQF6
Note: Should any of the above documents not be submitted before the closing date, enrolment is
regarded as being incomplete for the examination session. Note: proof of payment alone does not
constitute enrolment.
No student will be allowed to register for Board Examinations unless they have completed CIS
Programmes 1, 2 and 3 or have received exemption through appropriate prior learning such as
overseas qualifications and/or university degrees. There will be no exception to this policy – any
queries regarding this can be faxed to The Manager: Education and Student Affairs on 011 339 5393
3.4.1.1
Enrolment dates
Manual registrations (i.e. postal and fax) will close on the last working day of February and July
each year while online registrations close on 15th March and 15th August each year.
No late enrolment will be accepted under any circumstances!
3.4.1.2
Confirmation of enrolment
If students do not receive confirmation of documentation within 24 hours, they should contact
info@icsa.co.za or +27 11 – 403 2900.
3.5 FEES AND BANKING DETAILS
No enrolment will commence unless full payment has been received. The Institute is not an
accredited financial services provider and therefore cannot provide any form of credit or
payment plan. All fees must be paid in full before delivery of a service can take place. Official
evidence of payment must be presented (e.g. internet transfer advice or stamped bank
deposit slip).
See insert for the current year’s fees.
3.5.1
Payment methods
•
Cash: Direct deposit into the CIS bank account. The Institute does not process cash payments
at their premises under any circumstances.
•
Internet transfer into the CIS bank account.
•
Cheques: These may be deposited into the CIS bank account but there is a 10-day clearance
period: registration cannot proceed until such cheques have been cleared.
If a cheque is dishonoured by a bank, the student will not only be liable for the outstanding fees,
but will be liable for a 10 percent levy based on the value of the dishonoured cheque to cover
bank charges.
Note: if students pay any fees for registration or examinations to any tuition provider, the Institute
cannot be held responsible and will not liaise on their behalf in this regard.
Banking account details are as follows:
Account Name:
CIS
Bank:
Standard Bank
Branch Code
004805
Account Number
002898608
Deposit slips MUST reflect the full names of the student (in capital letters) as well as their student
registration number (if they have previously been issued with such a number).
3.6 EXAMINATION RELATED INFORMATION
3.6.1
Examination Sessions
Examinations sessions are held in May and October each year.
All examination papers have either a 3-hour or 4-hour limit per module – see examination advisories
that are posted to each student as well as on the website for any changes in this regard.
To be admitted to the examination venue the following documents must be produced:
•
•
Identification document
Examination confirmation letter – received from the Institute Head Office.
Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications 2009
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications
Candidates should arrive at the examination venue at least 30 minutes before the examination is
scheduled to commence. This 30-minute slot is important as it gives they time to settle down and it
allows for a 15-minute reading time. Candidates who arrive late, forfeit the reading time.
3.6.2
Timetables and Venues
Candidates must check the timetable before registering for any modules. The timetable is
published on the website. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their subject registrations
do NOT clash, to know where the venue is, to check that there has been no change in venue and to
ensure that their contact details are up to date, in the event that the Institute needs to advise any
unforeseen and unavoidable changes which impact on examinations and venues.
See insert for the current year’s timetable.
3.6.3
•
•
Postponement of examination
A candidate is allowed only one postponement per module, which is valid for 6 months.
A request for a postponement is only applicable for the following examination sitting and will not
be allowed after the closing date.
The postponement fee per module plus the postponement application form must be received not
later than 20 working days before the date of the examination sitting. (Please refer to the fees list.)
•
Payment for the postponement is compulsory, regardless of the reason (i.e. bereavement,
illness, transfer, etc.).
Should a candidate not be able to write the examinations in the following examination session, he /
she will have to re-register for the module and pay the full module fee.
3.6.4
Re-writing a failed examination
If a candidate fails the examination, he / she can enrol for that subject in the next examination sitting,
3.6.5
Examination centres
Official examination centres will be posted on the Institute’s website (www.icsa.co.za) and are also
reflected on all enrolment documents.
Special examination centres can be arranged for candidates who are not in a position to write at the
official examination centres. The candidate is responsible for the cost for a special centre, which is
currently a minimum of R550 per subject in addition to registration and examination fees. Please
note that ALL costs in excess of the amount paid per subject, will be billed to the candidate.
This includes:
•
•
ALL costs that will occur for any special examination arrangement – including costs that
exceed the quoted price.
Arranging for an approved invigilator as well as an appropriate venue.
Note: the Institute does NOT encourage the use of special centres and only agrees to these
under exceptional circumstances.
Please see insert for current fees in this regard.
Special centre forms are available from www.icsa.co.za or 011 403 2900.
3.6.6
Results
Examination results will be communicated to each student by post and will not be given over the
telephone or by e-mail.
Results are also available on the website: www.icsa.co.za
Please note that the advertised dates for the release of results are provisional – technical and
other unforeseen problems could cause delays. The Institute does not accept any
responsibility for possible delays in the release of results.
It is the responsibility of all students to check well before the release of results if their accounts are
settled with the Institute. Results will not be released if there are any queries about outstanding fees
and it is possible that in the event of such queries, results may then be available only in the third
week of the new semester irrespective of the status of such accounts.
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Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Professional Qualifications NQF 5 and NQF6
Marks
75% or more
60% to 75%
50% to 59%
38% to 49%
25% to 37%
Less than 25%
Symbols
A
B
C
D
E
F
Results
Distinction
Pass
Pass
Fail
Fail
Fail
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the results, he / she can apply for their marks to be
rechecked or for their scripts to be remarked. Application through the proper channels is required
and fees are charged for these services.
3.6.7
Past papers
Past Examination papers and recent South African papers are available free of charge in electronic
format from the website: www.icsa.co.za.
No past papers will be mailed, posted or faxed to students.
3.6.8
Examiner’s Reports
The Institute publishes detailed examiners' reports, which provide guidance as to the content and
format of answers required. They are an essential element in their study programme and the only
means of communication between examiner and student.
3.6.9
Open Book Policy
Taxation is the only Open Book Examination in the CIS Programmes 1 – 3.
ALL the other papers are conventional, closed book examinations.
Candidates writing Taxation are permitted to have with them in the assessment room and to
refer to:
•
Copies of the relevant statute without any handwritten commentary or notations.
•
Books in original form will be allowed.
•
No comments or flagging of any sort will be allowed.
•
No extra indexing except the original indexing is allowed. No highlighting will be allowed.
ACCEPTABLE PUBLICATIONS FOR THE OPEN BOOK EXAMINATIONS:
(a)
Duplication versions of the Consolidated Income Tax Act published by Kerlow.
(b)
Loose-Leaf (ring binder) version of the Income Tax Act published by either “Lex Patria”
or “Butterworths”.
(c)
The Professional Tax Handbook by E. Danziger and EM Stack, published by
“Butterworths”.
(d)
Income Tax Act published by “The Taxpayer”
(e)
SAICA Legislation Handbook by The Southern African Institute of Chartered
Accountants published by “Butterworths”.
The May and October examinations each year are based on the Income Tax Act published in the
previous year, that is legislation relevant to the year ending 28 February of the year of the
assessment. e.g. May and October 2009 examinations are based upon legislation applicable to
the tax year ending 29 February 2008.
3.6.10 Black Ball-Point ink
All examination answers must be written in black ball-point ink.
The reason for this is that many answers received are written in light colours or in pencil, and this
makes the answers difficult to mark and more importantly, the answer scripts are impossible to
photocopy for moderation and remarking purposes.
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3.7
THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Students are expected to abide by the Institute’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for
examinations. This document is available on the Institute website, on request from the examinations
department and is provided at the end of this prospectus.
3.8
SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES
The Institute will provide reasonable accommodation in the assessments for students with special
needs and disabilities. The latter must be indicated on the student’s registration application form.
The Policy on Special Needs and Disabilities is available on request from the Institute and is on the
Institute’s website.
3.9
RECHECKING AND REMARKING OF SCRIPTS
Re-checking is an administrative procedure aimed at ensuring that all questions were marked and
that the final mark was calculated correctly. A fee is charged which is refundable should the re-check
result in better marks.
Students must personally apply for each paper to be re-checked within 5 working days of the
release of the examination results. Proof of payment of the fees must accompany the application.
The results will be communicated to the student by way of the method chosen on the application
form.
Re-marking only takes place on application. A fee is charged for each paper to be re-marked. The
fee will be refunded should re-marking lead to a change in the result from a fail to a pass.
Students must personally apply for each paper to be re-marked within 5 working days of the
release of the examination results. Proof of payment of the fees must accompany the application.
The results will be communicated to the student by way of the method chosen on the application
form.
Payment for rechecking of marks and re-marking of scripts is made to:
For attention:
CIS – Manager: Education and Student Affairs:
Fax number:
011 339 5393
CIS:
Standard Bank, Braamfontein. Branch Code: 004805 Account number: 002898608
3.10
CANCELLATIONS
No cancellation, regardless of the reason, will be accepted. Students may apply to postpone their
examinations to the next examination sitting – see paragraph 3.5.2 on postponements. Thereafter
they will have to reregister and pay the prescribed fees.
3.11
FAILURE TO PAY
Failure to pay the full fees could lead to one or more of the following consequences:
•
•
•
•
•
3.12
A student not being allowed to register again, unless he or she has paid the previous year’s
fees or satisfactory arrangements have been made in this regard
The cancellation of the student's registration
A student being excluded from examinations
A student's examination results or official certificate being withheld
Legal action being taken, in which event the student will be liable for all legal costs incurred
STUDY LOANS
Study loans are offered by Edu-Loan and it must be noted that such loans are an arrangement solely
between Edu-loan and the student.
Client Service number 0860 55 55 44
Website: www.eduloan.co.za
Postal address: Edu-Loan, PO Box 5287, Weltevreden Park, 1715
Regional offices: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North
West, Western Cape.
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4. EXEMPTIONS AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
No exemption will be granted for the final 4 modules of the CIS International Qualifying Board
Examination.
However, exemption from the CIS programmes to gain entry to the Board examinations with an
alternative qualification, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce or law may be condoned.
(Please refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy on the Institute website.)
For purposes of RPL and/or exemption, the following requirements must be met.
4.1 PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
A portfolio of evidence includes:
1. CERTIFIED COPIES of any academic qualifications, skills programmes or any other formal
recognised competency.
2. A three-page maximum summarised Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. A one-page letter from their current or past employer to substantiate their work outputs,
functions, responsibilities and job description.
4. Proof of previously earned credits, where applicable.
5. Proof of R500 deposit payment.
6. Copy of ID or any other identification document
4.2 EXEMPTION FEE
The exemption fee is R500 per module to a maximum of R4 500 per application.
A deposit of R500 is required to proceed with the exemption application. This deposit is credited
against the final fee due for the total of the exemptions granted.
Students must submit exemption applications to the Head Office or through their provider if
registered with BIAC (Botswana).
The Institute will inform the student in writing of the outcome of their exemption application.
After recognition of a module, the student will then have to pay the exemption fee of R500 per
module. The deposit of R500 will be credited towards payment for the first exemption granted.
NB: Exemptions are only valid for ONE year from the date of acceptance by the ICSA.
Students MUST register for their courses within one year of their exemptions having been
processed, or else these exemptions will expire and a new application will need to be made
and paid for.
No exemption information, confirmation, policies etc. will be provided telephonically.
Exemptions will only be valid if confirmed in writing by the Institute.
NOTE: Do not register for any subject before an exemption application has been processed
as they will be liable for any fees in this regard..
5. MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 LANGUAGE POLICY
English will be utilised as the medium for examinations.
Our communication policy aims to:
•
•
•
Avoid obscure images, idioms and jargon.
Avoid inappropriate expressions or language constructions.
Avoid using demeaning or discriminatory language that makes assumptions based on age, race,
nationality, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, marital status, political conviction,
religious belief, or disability, family responsibilities or career responsibilities.
This policy is based on the principles of:
•
•
•
Equal opportunity.
Anti-discrimination – inclusive language avoids communications that harass, exclude or
discriminate against individual employees and groups in Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa.
Clarity of Expression – inclusive language avoids words or phrases that do not convey what
people intend to communicate and that can be misinterpreted or give offence.
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5.2 FORMS
All CIS International Qualifying Board Examination forms and information are available on the
website (www.icsa.co.za) but can also be requested telephonically or via E-mail or collected from the
Institute offices in Braamfontein.
NB – please remember to send in application forms together with proof of payment – for ALL
transactions. DO NOT SEPARATE PROOF OF PAYMENTS AND APPLICATION FORMS.
The application form, portfolio of evidence and proof of payment of R500 deposit must be sent to the
Manager: Education and Student Affairs. The exemption process will not begin until this deposit has
been paid and the forms lodged with Manager: Education and Student Affairs.
All enrolment and application forms can be obtained from the above fax, telephone, e-mail, postal or
web addresses.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The Institute is ONLY responsible for the syllabus and curriculum outline, as well as the
provision of a list of PRESCRIBED/ESSENTIAL textbooks, and, where possible and relevant, a
list of additional, recommended readings, conducting examinations, and the publication of the
examination results following the Institute’s quality assurance approval of the final results.
Text books are generally not sufficient reading to cover all aspects of the syllabus and it is
entirely the student’s responsibility to cover the syllabus and curriculum outcomes.
It is entirely the student’s responsibility to obtain suitable tuition for these examinations and the
Institute will not be held responsible in any way for inadequate tuition provision.
The Institute expects students to be familiar with the requirements of the syllabus and
curriculum. Students should understand that rote learning, cramming and spot learning will in
all probability lead to failure.
With regard to queries and appeals, the decision of the Chief Examiner is final.
The formal process must be used to appeal or query a result and all the costs involved in such
appeals must be paid before any appeal will be considered.
The contents, conditions and rules of this Prospectus are valid for 2009. Information in all
prospectuses, brochures, website information, and tuition provider information, published in
2008 and in prior years is no longer applicable.
The main reason for the Institute providing the CIS Qualifying Scheme and the Board
Examinations is to qualify as a Chartered Secretary. The Institute in no way claims that the
qualifying scheme takes the place of any National Qualification and in fact, the official position
of the Institute is that aspirant Chartered Secretaries should first obtain a National Qualification
and then proceed to the Board Examinations via the Exemption route. The CIS Qualifying
Scheme and the Board Examinations are professional benchmarks designed and implemented
for the sole purposes of selecting appropriate candidates who have successfully completed the
first requirements for admission to membership of the Institute. It is the policy of all tertiary
institutes to use their own exemption/credit policies and that the CIS professional qualifying
scheme and board examinations do not guarantee any access to other tertiary education
programmes. Any applications in this regard need to be made on an individual merit basis and
the Institute cannot be held responsible for any problems raised by individual tertiary
institutions regarding the NQF status of the Institute programmes.
The Chartered Institute of Business Management (CIBM) is a separate professional body and
students may apply for membership of the CIBM only after they have completed each
applicable CIS programme.
The CIS Qualifying Schemes, the Board Examinations and Membership of the Institute, do not
guarantee entry to any job nor can they be used anywhere to guarantee immigration points.
There are now more stringent requirements regarding immigration rules and a professional
qualification on its own may not be sufficient to provide the education points needed for this
purpose. “International” refers to the portability of the Membership “Chartered Secretary” and
does not describe the actual qualifying scheme in any way except as it is described in the 2006
Review.
The Student Code of Behaviour and Conduct (see Appendix) as it relates to the conduct of a
student, during the provision of tuition and during the course of examinations applies to all
students. If a student breaches this code, the student may be disciplined by a tribunal
convened by the Chief Examiner and/or his delegates. The outcome of such a tribunal could
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10.
11.
be the disbarring from any future registrations as a student and preclusion from being admitted
as a Chartered Secretary or Member of the CIBM. All fees paid to date will be forfeit.
Services will be withheld until all fees are paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to be in
possession of a valid examination registration form to be allowed entry to the examinations and
results will be withheld if any fees owing to the Institute are outstanding. The onus is on the
student to provide clear and unambiguous proof of such payments.
The Institute uses e-mail circulars as its main means of immediate communication, followed by
the website, and in the last resort, by the postal system.
PRIVATE CANDIDATES
Students registering as Private Candidates (i.e. without the services of a tuition provider) hereby
accept the conditions and take full responsibility for their examination results.
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Appendix: THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
1. INTRODUCTION
All applicants who register with the Institute for the examinations are registered as students. It is
encumbent upon students to comply with the Code of Ethics governing professional conduct and the
Code of Conduct in terms of the examinations.
PART A – THE CODE OF ETHICS
This Code demonstrates the standard of professional conduct expected of all students studying
towards their Chartered Secretaryship.
1. GENERAL FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
1.1.1 The professional ethics described in this Code are issued by the Board of Directors for the
guidance of students and to assist students to conduct themselves in a manner which the Board
considers appropriate to the profession in general and to Chartered Secretaries in particular. However,
as misconduct cannot be specifically defined for all instances, but will need to be determined in the
light of the circumstances of each individual case, it follows that the Board cannot publish lists of every
possible instance of misconduct.
1.1.2 This Code is issued by the Board to facilitate the enforcement of ethical standards through its
disciplinary procedures. Failure to observe the provisions of the Code does not (as is indicated above)
ipso facto constitute misconduct, but does mean that students may be required to justify their actions in
answer to a complaint.
1.1.3 The Articles of Association of the Institute require the observance of rules of conduct as a
condition of student registration and render students liable to disciplinary action if found guilty of
misconduct, which includes, but is not confined to, any act or default likely to bring discredit to the
student, the Institute, or the profession. Nevertheless, the Board considers it desirable to be more
explicit in particular areas.
1.1.4 Students are required to uphold the Institute's Charter and comply with its Byelaws.
1.1.5 Students are required to exercise integrity, honesty, diligence and due care in carrying out their
duties and responsibilities. They shall conduct themselves with courtesy and consideration towards all
with whom they come into contact in the course of their studies, professional work, as well as in terms
of their personal conduct in general.
1.1.6 Students shall at all times be cognisant of their responsibilities as professional persons towards
the wider community. They shall follow the guidance of this Code and, in circumstances not provided
for, should conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the profession and
the Institute.
1.1.7 If employed, students shall at all times safeguard the interests of their employers, colleagues and
clients provided that they shall not knowingly be party to any illegal or unethical activity.
1.1.8 If employed, students shall not enter into any agreement or undertake any activity which may be
in conflict with the legitimate interests of their employer or client or which would prejudice the
performance of their professional duties.
1.1.9 Students shall refrain from conduct or action, whether in their personal or professional capacity,
which detracts from the reputation of the Institute.
PART B: THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR EXAMINATIONS
1. The invigilator has authority to assign seats to candidates
2. The examination paper is in English. The answers must be written in English.
3. Candidates MUST be seated in the examination venue at least 30 minutes before the start of the
session.
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4. No books, workbooks or course material will be allowed in the examination venue other than the
material stipulated in the “Open-Book Assessment” notice
5. No materials shall be brought into the examination venue or used in the examination except
those authorised by the invigilator and specified in the “Open-Book Examinations” notice.
6. Bags, beverages, food, jackets, books and any other items identified by the Invigilator, MUST be
placed in areas designated by the invigilator.
7. No electronic or communication devices will be allowed in the examination venue, including
cell phones, laptops, pagers, etc. Programmable calculators are permitted for use in certain
module examinations and it is the candidate's responsibility to ascertain whether the use of
calculators is permitted.
8. Smoking and/or smoke breaks during the examination is/are not allowed. Except for bottled
water, no food or drink is allowed in the examination venue. Candidates with health problems
that warrant relaxation of this regulation should provide medical documentation to the invigilator
prior to the commencement of the examination. Such candidates should restrict themselves to
those items and packaging that will least distract other candidates
9. Candidates must not begin or attempt to read the examination questions until instructed to do
so.
10. No loose papers will be handed to candidates. Candidates must indicate rough work on
examination papers/answer sheets
11. Important: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that any loose answer sheets or additional
answer books are clearly marked and bound together.
12. Answer numbers must be entered on the front page of the answer books in the sequence
answered.
13. Candidates may not borrow anything or receive assistance from other candidates during the
course of the examination.
14. Candidates are not allowed to communicate with one another in any manner whatsoever during
the examination.
15. Unless in distress, candidates are not allowed to visit the cloakroom during an examination
session. In such cases, an invigilator will accompany the candidate. The examination book must
be handed to the invigilator before leaving the room. Only one candidate will be permitted to
leave the room at any one time
16. Candidates must remain seated during the examination period. A Candidate needing to speak
to the invigilator (e.g. to ask for additional paper or to request permission to leave the
examination room for any reason) should indicate this by raising his or her hand.
17. Questions concerning possible errors, ambiguities or omissions in the examination paper must
be directed to the invigilator who will investigate them through the proper channels. The
invigilator is not permitted to answer questions other than those concerning the examination
paper, as mentioned above.
18. To ensure minimal disruption at the beginning and end of the examination, Candidates MUST
remain seated at their desks for the first 30 minutes and the final 15 minutes of the examination.
19. It is the responsibility of the candidate to make sure s/he hands in their examination script to the
invigilator before leaving the venue
20. Candidates who leave before the examination is over, must hand in all work and notes made
during the examination.
21. No additional time to complete the examination will be granted to candidates
22. Candidates are expected to complete their examinations in an honest and straightforward
manner.
23. Any incident of violation of the examination protocol, will be investigated thoroughly and the
Candidate will face serious consequences and if found guilty of such a transgression, barred
from all further ICSA examinations.
24. As these examinations are PRIMARILY intended for obtaining membership of the Institute and
thereby applying to become, Chartered Secretaries, ANY proven dishonesty will result in the
candidate being prevented from being granted Membership on the basis of impaired personal
integrity.
STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
The disciplinary procedure of the Institute relates to conduct with respect to examinations.
Note: In all disciplinary matters, the student shall have the right of appeal and the right to
representation.
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3.1 Introduction
A case for disciplinary action shall exist if a student is alleged to have:
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
interfered or attempted to interfere with an employee of the Institute in the performance of
his/her duties;
wilfully damaged or defaced Institute property or treated, as their own, the property of the
Institute or of an employee and/or student of the Institute;
broken the Code of Conduct in such a way as to bring disrepute upon the Institute;
broken a published rule of the Institute.
3.2 Summary Procedure
Allegations of misconduct as described above should be made to the Chief Examiner who will then
convene a review panel. If the review panel believes that there is a case for the student to answer
then the review panel will interview the student and will be accompanied by the Examinations Officer
or another senior officer of the Institute. At this interview the student may be accompanied by a
friend or representative. If the review panel considers it appropriate to do so, and if the student
agrees, the matter may be dealt with summarily, without recourse to a disciplinary committee.
In dealing with a matter summarily, the review panel will consider written and/or oral evidence. The
review panel will find the student guilty of misconduct only if, on the evidence provided he/she is
satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the student’s guilt. If a finding of guilt is made, the review panel
may impose any of the penalties set out in Section 4 of these procedures, other than disbarment
from the Institute.
At the termination of the proceedings, the review panel will arrange for a short report to be written. In
the event of a finding of guilt, the report will set out the misconduct alleged, a brief summary of
evidence received, the grounds for the finding of guilt, the penalty imposed, and the factors taken
into account when deciding the penalty. A copy of the report will be sent to the student and will be
circulated, at the review panel’s discretion to appropriate members of the Institute staff.
3.3 Referral to a Disciplinary Committee
If the review panel does not consider it appropriate to deal with the matter summarily, or if the
student does not agree to its being dealt with in this way, then it shall be referred to a Disciplinary
Committee.
The membership of the Committee shall be:
•
•
•
•
•
Chair (a member of the Board of the Institute)
Secretary (a member of the review panel)
Two staff members from the Institute
Two staff members from the College at which the student is enrolled (if applicable)
The Quality Assurance Manager (present in an advisory, non-voting capacity)
3.4 Penalties
A student found guilty of misconduct may be:
•
•
•
•
•
Absolutely discharged, which means that although the student may be technically guilty of the
misconduct alleged, no blame should be attached to his or her actions;
Admonished;
Cautioned and put on report which means that no penalty is imposed, but if the student is found
guilty of misconduct on a subsequent occasion in the following twelve months, or some other
specified period, there will be consideration of both offences;
Conditionally discharged, which means that no penalty is imposed, subject to the student
fulfilling certain stipulated conditions including future good behaviour over the following twelve
months or some other specified period. If the conditions are not met, a penalty may be imposed
following a further hearing;
Excluded from the Institute for a fixed period of time, up to a maximum of twelve months. A
student who is excluded from the Institute has restricted rights to enter Institute premises, and to
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•
•
participate in Institute activities. The terms of the exclusion will be notified to the student in
writing. An order of exclusion may include a requirement that the student shall have no contact
with a named person or persons;
Suspended from the Institute for a fixed period of time, up to a maximum of twelve months. A
student who is suspended is prohibited from entering Institute premises, and from participating in
Institute activities. The terms of the suspension will be notified to the student in writing. An order
of suspension may include a requirement that the student shall have no contact with a named
person or persons;
Disbarred from the Institute which means that the student may not complete the qualification.
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