Appendix 3: Professional competency areas and learning outcomes (detailed)
PCA01: Intellectual skills
Intellectual skills enable a professional accountant to evaluate data and information, apply critical thinking to solve problems, make decisions and exercise good judgment in complex organisational situations.
Learning outcomes
At a minimum, graduates are expected to be able to:
| LO1 | Evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives through research, integration, and analysis |
| LO2 | Apply critical thinking skills to identify and solve problems, inform judgments, make decisions, reach well-reasoned conclusions and make recommendations where applicable |
PCA02: Interpersonal and communication skills
Interpersonal and communication skills enable a professional accountant to work with others for the common good of the organisation, receive and transmit information, form reasoned judgments and make decisions effectively.
Learning outcomes
At a minimum, graduates are expected to be able to:
| LO1 | Demonstrate an understanding of collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork when working towards organisational goals |
| LO2 | Communicate clearly and concisely when presenting, discussing and reporting knowledge and ideas in formal and informal situations |
| LO3 | Demonstrate an awareness of cultural and language differences in all communication |
| LO4 | Apply active listening and effective interviewing techniques |
| LO5 | Apply negotiation skills to reach solutions and agreements |
PCA03: Personal skills
Personal skills relate to the attitudes and behaviour of professional accountants. Developing these skills helps individual learning and personal improvement.
Learning outcomes
At a minimum, graduates are expected to be able to:
| LO1 | Set high personal standards of performance and monitor through reflective activity and feedback from others |
| LO2 | Manage time and resources to achieve academic, personal and/or professional commitments |
| LO3 | Anticipate challenges and plan potential solutions |
| LO4 | Apply an open mind to new opportunities |
| LO5 | Identify the potential impact of personal and organisational bias |
| LO6 | Identify the implications of professional values, ethics and attitudes in decision making |
PCA04: Ethical principles, professional values and integrity
An understanding of ethical and professional values and attitudes is an important element in the development of accounting professionals. It's expected that higher education providers' programs will pay attention to the fundamental ethical values of integrity, objectivity and confidentiality, as well as professional competence and due care.
Learning outcomes
At a minimum, graduates are expected to be able to:
| LO1 | Explain the nature of ethics |
| LO2 | Explain the advantages and disadvantages of rules-based and principles-based approaches to ethics |
| LO3 | Identify threats to compliance with the fundamental principles of ethics |
| LO4 | Explain the role and importance of ethics within the profession and in relation to the concept of social responsibility |
| LO5 | Explain the role and importance of ethics in relation to business and good governance |
| LO6 | Explain the interrelationship of ethics and law, including the relationship between laws, regulations and the public interest |