Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL| Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

From 2023, UCOL and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consists of 120 Credits. The course includes:

Your studies will differ according to your chosen area of focus - Accounting or Leadership and Management.

UCOL | Te Pūkenga Wairarapa only offers the Leadership and Management strand.

CORE COURSES

Business Environments (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse environmental influences on a business entity. The course covers:

External environments - government policy, legislation, common law, economic dynamics, technology, sustainable management, and social trends
Internal environments - systems, structure, resources, and organisational culture
Economics - the principles of scarcity, and supply and demand
Risk management and creating a risk management plan
Legal principles assessed using a problem-solving methodology
Business Functions (15 Credits)
Learn to apply knowledge of core business functions for operational efficiency and effectiveness. The course covers:

Accounting principles and practices
Operations - layout, workflow, productivity
Human resource management - estimating staff requirements, recruitment and selection, and renumeration
Sales and marketing - forecasting, internal marketing, marketing communications
Skills for managing learning and performance
Organisations in a New Zealand Context (15 Credits)
Review and analyse business entities from a range of perspectives in a New Zealand context. The course covers:

Communication
Internal and external stakeholders
Risks
Bi-cultural partnership (as embedded in the Treaty of Waitangi)
Regional considerations and partnerships
Ethical behaviour including widely accepted standards relating to obeying the law, being honest in dealings, showing respect for individuals, contracts, and societal standards and institutions' environmental, community and sustainability expectations
Culturally appropriate interpretations wider than just ethnicity
Understanding Change (15 Credits)
Learn how to contribute to innovation and change in organisations. The course covers:

Innovation in an operational context
Management of sustainability
Analysis of the impact of sustainability on business entities
Implementation of change
Application of professional and ethical behaviour in a socially and culturally appropriate manner
Professional attitudes, qualities and behaviours
Perspectives on ethics
Problem-solving and decision making
Communication
Accounting Focus
Person using calculator


Analysis of Financial Information (15 Credits)
Learn to calculate, analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision-making for a business entity and evaluate debtor risk. The course covers:

Purpose and users of financial analysis, limitations/assumptions
Calculation and analysis of financial ratios
Interpret financial information to inform decision-making- include analytics
Formulate recommendations
Accounts receivable management
Action plan around debtor risk, including options and recommendations
Applied Accounting (15 Credits)
Learn to record and process a wide range of financial transactions manually and using software. Students will act in accordance with the accounting profession’s Code of Ethics to research and communicate technical financial information for a business entity’s performance.

Budgets for Planning and Control (15 Credits)
Learn to prepare budgets and use budgets to monitor business performance for a business entity, and determine internal controls to minimise financial risk.

Preparation of budgets
Sensitivity analysis
Flexible budgets Variance reporting / communicationImpact on business performance
Internal controls
Identification and measurement of risks
Risk management Bank reconciliations
External environment
Introduction to Accounting and Taxation (15 Credits)
Learn to apply accounting concepts and standards to prepare financial statements for a business entity and apply tax rules. The course covers:

Income statements
Balance day adjustments
Trial balance
Statement of changes in equity
Cash flow
Going concern, periodic and historic cost
Income statement and balance sheet with adjustments
GST calculations and adjustments
Family assistance scheme
Student loans
Tax Credits
Individual tax returns
Kiwi Saver scheme
Employer obligations and calculations
Employee and independent contractor
Payment and due date of taxes


Leadership and Management Focus
Two people having a discussion

Business Planning (15 Credits)
Learn to formulate a business plan. The course covers strategic, tactical and operational aspects, and managing change such as workplace culture and gap analysis.

Leadership (15 Credits)
Learn to apply leadership skills to achieve organisational outcomes and change. The course covers the concept of leadership and:

Negotiation
Achieving desired outcomes and change
Evaluating successful leadership in self and others
Nature and complexity of leading change
Leadership and its influence on success within an organisation
Managing Projects (15 Credits)
Learn to effectively manage a project. The course covers:

Planning
Execution
Monitoring and control
Implications on workplace culture
Project closeout
Project management phases in regard to documentation and collation of useful information
Identification and management of project variances
Operations Management and Compliance (15 Credits)
Learn to apply techniques to improve operational management and compliance. The course will cover internal and external drivers such as legislation, government policy, quality management systems within a business, and the policies and procedures of a business.

On completion of this programme you will be ready to take on a range of careers and will have the skills and knowledge to be employed in a variety of business entities in roles such as:

Accounts assistant
Accounts payable administrator
Accounting technician
Finance administrator
Human resource manager
Management assistant
Middle management role
Operations leader
Payroll administrator
Team leader
To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Managers and Accountants, see careers.govt.nz

Education pathway
In just one year, you will gain an industry-valued business qualification that will also serve as an ideal stepping stone for further business degree studies. This diploma provides one year of credit toward UCOL’s Bachelor of Applied Management degree.