PDA MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

Intro to the course:

This course offers you an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required for a cost or management accounting support role within an organisation.  You will have the opportunity to develop ICT knowledge and skills, in relation to using current cost accounting techniques.  You will also develop skills in preparing financial information for use in decision making within an organisation.

You will have an opportunity to develop a variety of core skills: communication, numeracy, information and communication technology and problem solving.

The PDA will provide you with a vehicle to formalise your skills or as a CPD tool.

Specific aims of the award are:

• develop technical and administrative knowledge relevant to current cost and management accounting practice
• develop skills in maintaining a working accounting system for classifying and recording cost accounting information
• develop skills using commercially produced accounting software to record cost and management accounting transaction and prepare reports
• develop skills in preparing meaningful and well-presented cost and management accounting information which can be used for decision making within the organisation in a timely manner
• prepare candidates for employment in an accounting or financial administration role

Who is the course for?

The PDA Management Accounting at SCQF Level 7 is suitable for a wide range of candidates including:

• candidates employed in the accounting sector who wish to enhance their career prospects
• candidates in employment seeking a vehicle for CPD
• adult returners to education
• candidates undertaking HNC Accounting

What will I study?

The course consists of two HN Units:

• cost accounting
• management accounting using information technology

Next Step Course Options

Candidates who successfully complete this PDA may undertake further related PDAs or HN Units to build up their qualifications towards a full HNC Accounting.  

How will I be assessed?

The  units are assessed using secure SQA assessments that involve open and closed book assessments.

Why should I choose this course?

Candidates undertaking this PDA will also be able to build up their qualification towards a full HNC by undertaking further PDAs and HN Units or both.  The PDA is suited to candidates wishing to study on a part-time basis whilst in employment in the sector. It is also appropriate for adult returners to education who do not wish to commit to a full-time HNC programme of study but seek to gain skills in cost and management accounting.

Where can this course lead?

This course will prepare candidates for employment within the accounting and business services sector.  The type of positions which may be taken up by candidates include:

• accounting assistants
• financial administrators

What are the entry requirements?

Access to the award will be at the discretion of the centre.  In general, entry is open to any candidate who can demonstrate, by formal qualification or experience, a reasonable expectation of successfully completing the award.  It would be beneficial for candidates to be competent in Communication, Numeracy and IT.

What are the interview arrangements?

Candidates will be invited to an informal information and enrolment session.  No formal interview.