The Accounts Administration and Payroll Pathway comprises the following two programs:

• ADMN1030 – Certificate in Accounts Administration & Payroll

• ABKN2071 – Diploma in Accounting

Refer below for a detailed outline of the modules/courses contained in each Program.

ADMN1030 Certificate in Accounts Administration & Payroll

The Certificate in Accounts Administration & Payroll comprises 16 modules/courses as follows:

ABKN202 Accounting and Bookkeeping Fundamentals  

This course will provide an overview of the accounting equation and the basic principles underlying the double entry system of accounting. It will include but not be limited to the function and purpose of accounting and its key concepts, a look at the principal qualitative characteristics and their effect on financial statements, and the basic and expanded accounting equation and its connection to the double-entry method of accounting.  

ABKN152 General Journal  

This course will take a close look at the difference between the general journal and the general ledger, the chart of accounts, and fundamental rules in respect of when to debit or credit an account. It will include but not be limited to the definition and purpose of general journals, account categories, and how to prepare journal entries.  

ABKN153 General Ledger & the Trial Balance  

This course will provide an introduction to the General Ledger and the Trial Balance, and will include the process of posting source journals to the general ledger, how to calculate closing balances of general ledger accounts, as well as the purpose of a trial balance and how to prepare one.  

ABKN218 Depreciation  

This course will provide an introduction and overview of depreciation and will include but not be limited to the purpose of depreciation, how to calculate depreciation and the different calculation methods, as well as how to prepare journal entries using the straight-line method or the diminishing value method. 

ABKN106 Adjusting Entries  

This course will provide an introduction to cash basis and accruals basis accounting concepts, and will include but not be limited to an overview of adjusting entries, a look at the key adjusting entries that need to be made at the end of the financial year, and how to prepare the balance day adjustments for a range of adjusting entries.  

ABKN146 Financial Statements  

This course will take a close look at the purpose of financial statements, and will include but not be limited to the Profit & Loss Statement and the Balance Sheet and how to prepare these statements, the purpose of inventory and the two common inventory systems, how to prepare journal entries, and how to calculate the year-end stock adjustment.  

ABKN217 Accounting with MYOB  

This course will provide an overview of the MYOB Essentials accounting software package, including but not limited to understanding the chart of accounts & banking, managing contacts and managing sales within MYOB. 

ABKN103 Accounting with Xero  

This course will provide an overview of how to use Xero, including but not limited to the benefits of using Xero and cloud computing, Bank Reconciliation & Managing Accounts in Xero, Xero Sales, Invoicing, Quotes & Inventory, plus Purchase & Bills.   

ABKN133 Understanding GST  

This course will provide an introduction to Goods and Services tax (GST) and how this affects small businesses. It will include but not be limited to the key terms and basic principles of GST in New Zealand, the different methods to account for GST, how to calculate GST on sales and purchases as well as how to complete a simple GST return.  

ABKN214 Employment Law & Introduction to Payroll  

This course will take a look at seven employment law related Acts that relate to Payroll, and will include but not be limited to the fundamental payroll concepts including employer obligations, how to calculate leave entitlements and the employer's role in the ACC Scheme and KiwiSaver.

ADMG114 Managing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable & Cash Management  

This course will provide an introduction to accounts payable and receivables and the calculation of the cash conversion cycle. It will include but not be limited to the difference between cash accounting and accrual accounting, how to create journal entries and ledger entries to record a credit sale, a look at doubtful debt as well as creditor and debtor schedules.   

ABKN122 Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cashflow Management  

This course will take a close look at the preparation of budgets, forecasts and cash flow management, including but not limited to the purpose of a budget and forecast, the importance and advantages of budgeting, how to prepare a budget and how to compare actual results with analyse variances as well as a look at the cash conversion cycle.  

CITG138 Using Microsoft Excel   

This course will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of Microsoft Excel, including but not limited to the key functions within the software including formulas, functions and data manipulation, how to add content to spreadsheets as well as formatting styles.

CITG127 Introduction to Microsoft Word   

This course will provide an introduction to the basic functions and features of Microsoft Word, including but not limited to formatting features to improve the look of a short document, how to insert content into a document and how to apply document-processing techniques to manage larger documents. 

ABKN1016 Certificate in Xero Payroll

This course will provide an overview of how to use Xero Payroll, including but not limited to setting up Xero Payroll, managing Payroll items, new employees and leave requests, as well as pay runs and filing obligations.

ABKN1036 Certificate in MYOB Payroll

This course will provide an overview of how to use MYOB Payroll, including but not limited to setting up MYOB Payroll files, employee pay details, preparing and processing pays as well as managing leave and preparing payroll reports within MYOB.

ABKN2071  Diploma in Accounting

The Diploma in Accounting covers 10 core modules/courses as follows:

• Accounting with Excel

• Accounting Principles

• Advanced Accounting Principles

• Management Accounting

• Advanced Management Accounting

• Taxation

• Accounting with Xero

• Advanced Xero

• Accounting Practices

• Auditing

*You will also be required to complete a prior knowledge quiz to test your current knowledge of accounting and business. There are 40 questions in this quiz and a pass mark of 80% must be achieved to proceed.

Refer below for a detailed outline of what is covered in each course/module:

Accounting with Excel

CITG137  Accounting using Microsoft Excel 

This course will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of Microsoft Excel, including but not limited to the key functions within the software including formulas, functions and data manipulation, how to add content to spreadsheets as well as formatting styles. 

Accounting Principles

ABKN203 Accounting and Business 

This course provides an introduction to accounting and business in New Zealand, including but not limited to the relationship between accounting, the legal system and business, the importance of the New Zealand framework, as well as the components of the Financial Statements.  

ABKN143 Determining Profit 

This course will provide an overview of accounting for revenue and expenses, and will include but not be limited to the accounting equation, a look at revenue expenditure and capital expenditure, and the components of a classified Income Statement for a small business. 

ABKN126 Issues in Income Determination & Asset Valuation 

This course will take a look at accounting for balance sheet items that influence the Profit and Loss, and will include but not be limited to how to apply correct treatment to property, plant and equipment (PP&E), how to determine inventory valuation, and how to apply fair value to accounts receivable. 

ABKN345 Accounting Principles Assessment

Complete an assessment covering all content from the Accounting Principles program.

Advanced Accounting Principles 

ABKN124 Tracking Cash & Controlling Assets  

This course will take a look at accounting for cash, including but not limited to the importance of tracking cash for the survival of a business, how to prepare and maintain a cash tracking spreadsheet to plan cash flow, and how to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows and reconciliation to the Profit and Loss.  

ABKN149 Internal Decision Making  

This course will provide an overview of how to support business for future internal decision making, including but not limited to preparing budgets and forecasts, how to report on variances between budgeted performance and actual performance, and a look at breakeven analysis.  

ABKN109 Analysing Financial Reports  

This course provides an introduction to analysing financial reports, and will include but not be limited to the users of financial analysis, the importance of the solvency test, analysing business performance and report on trends, problems and possible remedies.  

ABKN224 NZ Financial Reporting Framework 

This course will provide an overview on reporting filing requirements for different entities, including but not limited to the Statutory Financial Reporting Framework vs the Accounting Standards Framework, how to use the New Zealand Financial Reporting framework to determine reporting assurance and filing requirements, and a look at the Appropriate Accounting Standards applied for General Purpose Financial reporting. 

ABKN346 Advanced Accounting Principles Assessment 

Complete an assessment covering all content from the Advanced Accounting Principles program. 

Management Accounting 

ABKN137 Cost Classification  

This course will provide an introduction to cost classifications in Management Accounting, including but not limited to the differences between Product costs and Period costs, management accounting vs financial accounting, and the concept of different costs for different purposes.  

ABKN138 Costing Methods  

This course will provide an introduction to variable and absorption costing methods, including but not limited to the definitions of variable and absorption costing and a look at the components that make up product and period costs for both types of costing.  

ABKN303 Product & Process Costing  

This course will provide an introduction to the two product costing systems; job order costing and job process costing. It will include but not be limited to the weighted average unit cost method and the formula to calculate it, support department cost allocation, and a look at unit cost and processing departments.   

ABKN305 Standard Costs & Variance Analysis  

This course will provide an introduction to standard costing and the importance of measuring (and reporting on) the variance between actual costs and standard costs. It will include but not be limited to the meaning of standard costing, the difference between quantity standards and cost/price standards, and a look at variance analysis.   

ABKN347 Management Accounting Assessment 

Complete an assessment covering all content from the Management Accounting program.  

Advanced Management Accounting 

ABKN304 Activity Based Costing  

This course will provide an introduction to activity based costing and how this tool is used to assign costs to cost pools. It will include but not be limited to the definition of Activity Based Costing (ABC), the advantages of using an ABC system, cost hierarchies and a look at activities and activity pools.  

ABKN121 Budgeting & CVP Analysis  

This course provides an overview of budgeting & CVP analysis, including but not limited to the key purposes of budgeting, types of Financial & Operating budgets, a look at Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis as well as the Equation Method and Contribution Margin Method.  

ABKN167 Performance Management & Measurement  

This course provides an introduction to performance management and measurement, including but not limited to the purpose of a Balanced Scorecard, a look at SMART KPIs, the benchmarking process and Performance Evaluation systems and their uses.  

ABKN306 Inventory Management & Planning  

This course will provide an introduction to inventory management and planning, including but not limited to a close look at Just In Time Inventory Management, Economic Order Quantity Inventory Management, the Reorder Point formula, and how to make pricing decisions.   

ABKG176 Management Accounting: Budgeting  

This course will provide an introduction to the use of budgeting for planning, coordinating and authorising the activities of an organisation, and for controlling costs. It will include but not be limited to how to improve the performance of an organisation by setting targets, constructing achievable plans and monitoring results.  

ABKG180 Management Accounting: Decision and Control  

This course will provide an introduction to the use of budgeting for planning, coordinating and authorising the activities of an organisation, and for controlling costs. It will include but not be limited to how to improve the performance of an organisation by setting targets, constructing achievable plans and monitoring results.  

ABKN348 Advanced Management Accounting Assessment 

Complete an assessment covering all content from the Advanced Management Accounting program. 

Taxation 

ABKN160 Introduction to Income Taxation  

This course will provide an introduction to accounting for taxation and residency requirements for taxation, as well the determination of business income and which business income is assessable for income tax. It will include but not be limited to the purpose and the main objectives of taxation, the tax obligations for residents, non-residents and transitional residence, a look at assessable income and how to compare the tax requirements between employees and contractors.  

ABKN156 GST  

This course provides an overview of Goods & Services Tax (GST), including but not limited to the meaning of GST, how to apply basic rules and obligations of GST, a look at GST adjustments and how to fully complete a GST return.   

ABKN132 Company Taxation  

This course will provide an introduction to companies from a taxation point of view, including but not limited to how losses are generated and how these can be carried forward/utilised, the importance of shareholder continuity, a look at dividends and imputation credits.  

ABKN158 Look Through Companies  

This course will provide an overview of Look through Companies (LTC), including but not limited to the impact of electing to be an LTC for tax purposes, when and why an LTC may be used, and how the loss limitation rule applies to restrict losses from being passed onto the shareholders.   

ABKN315 Fringe Benefit Tax  

This course will provide an overview of the different types of benefits that are included in the fringe benefits tax regime, including but not limited to the purpose of the fringe benefits system, how to calculate the taxable value of various fringe benefits, and how to complete a quarterly FBT taxable value calculation sheet (IR 427) and quarterly FBT return (IR 420).  

ABKN349 Taxation Assessment 

Complete an assessment covering all content from the Taxation program. 

Accounting with Xero

This course will provide an overview of how to use Xero, including but not limited to the benefits of using Xero and cloud computing, Bank Reconciliation & Managing Accounts in Xero, Xero Sales, Invoicing, Quotes & Inventory, plus Purchase & Bills.    

ABKN292 Certificate in Xero Assessment 

Complete a practical case study based assessment within Xero. 

Advanced Xero

This course will provide an advanced look at Xero, including but not limited to Aged Receivables & Payables in Xero, Managing Fixed Assets, Budgeting, Report preparation and anaylsis and how to make the most of Xero. 

ABKN293 Advanced Certificate in Xero Assessment 

Complete a practical case study based assessment within Xero. 

Accounting Practices 

ABKN154 SPFR Framework For For-Profit Entities Part 1  

This course will take a look at putting accounting principles into practice using the Special Purpose Financial Reporting Framework for For-Profit Entities (SPFR for FPEs). It will include but not be limited to the reporting requirements for revenue, inventories, property, plant & equipment, as well as the reporting requirements for intangible assets and the impairment of assets.  

ABKN173 SPFR Framework For For-Profit Entities Part 2  

This course will take a look at putting accounting principles into practice using the Special Purpose Financial Reporting Framework for For-Profit Entities (SPFR for FPEs). It will include but not be limited to the reporting requirements for financial instruments, provisions and contingencies, leases, as well as the reporting requirements for employee benefits and equity.  

ABKN112 SPFR Framework For For-Profit Entities Part 3  

This course will take a look at putting accounting principles into practice using the Special Purpose Financial Reporting Framework for For-Profit Entities (SPFR for FPEs). It will include but not be limited to the reporting requirements for income taxes, GST, related party transactions and recognising events after balance date and their reporting requirements.   

ABKN110 Verification, Completeness & Justification  

This course will provide an overview of the processes and tools that ensure the values in the Financial Statements are justified, including but not limited to the purpose of workpapers, balance sheet validation documents and referencing protocols.  

ABKN226 Accounting for a Full Year Case Study  

This course will take a close look at a case study and the process of importing a trial balance into Xero. It will include but not be limited to how to prepare a full accounting analysis for the case study given and how to enter a trial balance and chart of accounts into Xero to prepare draft financial statements.  

ABKN227 Looking Forward Case Study  

This course will take a look at how to prepare horizontal and ratio analysis, budget analysis, and forecasts, including how to create a two-year forecast using an Excel template and how to construct a Brief Management Report.  

ABKG181 Financial Statements of Limited Companies  

This course will provide an introduction to drafting, analysis and interpretation of financial statements of limited companies, including but not limited to identifying and recording transactions in accounts and ledgers following the principles of double-entry bookkeeping, and drafting the financial statements of unincorporated organisations from the accounts and records prepared.  

ABKG184 Accounting Systems & Controls  

This course will take a look at the role of the accounting function in an organisation and the importance of internal controls in minimising the risk of loss, and will include an evaluation of an accounting system to identify weaknesses and assess the impact of those weaknesses on the operation of the organisation.  

ABKN350 Accounting Practices Assessment 

Complete an assessment covering all content from the Accounting Practices program. 

Auditing

ABKG187  External Auditing  

This course will take a look at external audits of financial statements, including but not limited to the concept of assurance and the objective of audits conducted under International Standards on Auditing (ISA).