Head Of Department - Mr M Naidoo, BEd(Massey), DipTchg
Email to: m.naidoo@kingscollege.school.nz

"Accounting & Finance is one of the most dynamic industries today. There are great career opportunities, both here and overseas. Make sure you make the most of your skills." (Monster.co.nz)

New Zealand Businesses are facing a shortage of accounting professionals with the right skills which means a combination of technical, communication and people skills' (NZ Herald)

Why do Accounting?

Considering studying Commerce at university or going into business? Then you should study the 'language of business' Accounting, since all business people use it to communicate. It provides excellent career opportunities and a strong foundation for upward, career mobility. Accounting provides a system of measuring the monetary value of transactions in business and for individuals and provides the basis for most business decisions. In Accounting, students enjoy the challenges of learning new skills, and appreciate the relevance of the topics covered.

A school background in Accounting is useful for any person wishing to enter the world of commerce in such areas as business management, risk management, venture capitalists, banking, tourism, marketing, insurance, information technology, resource management, finance, consultancy, advisory and self-employment.

So where does Accounting lead?

The most popular stereotype which surrounds this subject is that of the single-minded "bean-counter" the accountant who is oblivious to the real world. This couldn't be further from the truth. Today's Accounting is a must subject for anyone contemplating a successful career in today's fast-paced and highly competitive global labour market.

Accounting is a core subject for almost every commerce degree in Australasia and is seen as advantageous for all university graduates- despite specialisation. If you wish to be successful - be it in science, medicine, law or commerce, eventually you will be responsible for the management of money by way of budgets and strategic decision-making. Accounting prepares you to handle these funds in a responsible and accurate manner.

Accountants enjoy one of the highest employment rates for any commerce graduate. The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) has developed a new professional membership structure which stresses communication skills, a wide general knowledge (business and society) and accounting expertise. With the popularity of double or conjoint degrees many people study Professional Accounting matched with a degree in such areas as Arts, Music, Sciences, Law and Engineering.

At Year 11, 12 and 13 two pathways will be offered, NCEA and CIE.

 
Introduction to Accounting (NCEA Level 1)

NCEA Level 1 is an introductory accounting course offering 24 credits. The course has 3 external standards worth 12 credits that covers the application and understanding of accounting concepts for small entities, financial statements for sole traders and the interpretation of accounting information. The three internal standards, worth 12 credits, cover processing financial transactions and cash management of small entities as well as making a financial decision for an individual. The course provides an excellent foundation for advanced study by developing skills in numeracy, literacy, communication, enquiry, presentation and interpretation.

Accounting (NCEA Level 2)

NCEA Level 2 is an ideal follow on from Level 1 or IGCSE, however students with no previous knowledge can begin at this level. This course focuses on practical application of processing straightforward and complex business transactions and preparation of financial statements for sole traders. A more in-depth coverage of processing, reporting, analysis and interpretation of accounting sub-systems within an entity also receives special focus.

Accounting (NCEA Level 3)

The Level 3 course focuses on application, understanding, analysis and interpretation of processing and reporting financial information of partnership and companies, which meet user needs. The course also covers manufacturing job costing, management decision making and the study of a NZ listed company’s financial reports giving advice to potential investors.

Students who have completed AS or NCEA Level 2 Accounting are best suited for this course, which also serves as an ideal preparation for the optional Scholarship exams.  The course is designed also for able students who have had no prior study of Accounting but wish to gain relevant knowledge to undertake a commerce degree at university.

Accounting (IGCSE)

IGCSE Accounting provides a beginner course that requires students to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles and purposes of accounting or an individual, business, non-trading organisation and society as a whole. It also provides an excellent foundation for advanced study by developing skills in numeracy, literacy, communication, enquiry, presentation and interpretation.

Accounting (AS)

AS Accounting forms the first half of a two-year pre-university Accounting course. This course covers basic topics such as recording business transactions, financial statements of sole traders, and year-end adjustments before moving on to demanding management accounting topics such as marginal and absorption costing, break-even analysis and job costing. There is also a significant coverage of partnerships, companies, and non-profit organisations.

Advanced Accounting (A2)

Cambridge A2 Level Accounting forms the second half of a two-year pre-university course. In addition to the topics covered at the AS level, students will move on to more demanding topics involving the issue and redemption of company shares, partnership dissolution, business purchase, company restructuring, cash flows, standard costing, process costing, budgeting and investment appraisal.