Bachelor of Commerce

SIT's new Bachelor of Commerce offers majors in Accounting, Management or Marketing. SIT has received strong support from local accounting firms and the local branch of NZICA in obtaining accreditation for the new degree. 

Our teaching staff have extensive business experience, combined with excellent academic backgrounds and strong links with the professions, while the Bachelor of Commerce has a strong practical and applied focus. We know that our programmes will challenge you, but that you will feel supported by us and excited about your future once you decide to study with us. Our business staff are passionate about teaching and enjoy working with students of all ages and from different cultures.

We have strong links with local businesses and focus on creating opportunities whereby our students can obtain real world experience before they graduate. An example of this is on the following link:
http://www.sit.ac.nz/pages/about/news_story_124

Year 1

Compulsory papers

ACC102 Introduction to Accounting

This paper provides students with an introduction to financial accounting statements and their associated components, ranging from small businesses to public companies.

COM140 Professional Communications
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to develop confidence and competence in oral, written, and interpersonal communication with emphasis on the communication skills students will use in the workplace and during their studies.

ECN120 Economics
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to apply elements of economic theory to contemporary issues relating to the New Zealand and world economies.

LAW110 Commercial Law
This paper provides students with basic knowledge in the field of commercial law to enable them to apply legal reasoning and to develop an organised approach to problem solving.

MAN130 Principles of Management
This paper provides students with an introduction to the principles and processes of management and how they are applied to address current issues.

MKT171 Principles of Marketing
This paper provides students with a working knowledge of fundamental marketing concepts relevant to contemporary organisations.

QNT165 Quantitative Analysis
This paper provides students with an understanding of the application of some of the statistical and mathematical techniques relevant to business contexts.

Elective Paper - one paper to be selected from the list below:

ACC103 Accounting Practices
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to process business transactions and produce financial reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and using business computer technology.  The paper also provides a foundation for more advanced accounting papers and must be completed by those students intending to major in accounting.

INF150 Principles of Business Computing
This paper provides students with foundation knowledge of current and emerging information technologies and their impact on business along with the skills to analyse business problems and recommend appropriate solutions using information technology tools.  

TSM180 Principles of Tourism
This paper provides students with an overview of the tourism industry and the factors which influence its structure and development with specific reference and applications to New Zealand.

Elective 1

An elective paper at Level 5 may be taken from a qualification other than SIT Bachelor of Commerce - to be approved by the Programme Manager (prerequisities may apply).

Year 2

ACC201 Financial Accounting

This paper provides students with an understanding of the regulatory aspects of accounting, how to critically evaluate financial information, and the concepts, techniques and problem solving skills needed for the production of financial reports for companies.

ACC202 Management Accounting
This paper provides students with an understanding of the concepts and techniques of organisational planning, decision making, costing and control.

ACC203 Business Finance
This paper provides students with a base appreciation of finance and financial markets as they relate to the business environment.  Emphasis is given to modern accounting practice in New Zealand, particularly as it relates to small and medium businesses.

ACC204 Accounting Information Systems
This paper provides students with a general understanding of roles undertaken by accountants in relation to information systems; how to analyse, synthesise and evaluate information from AIS; how controls interrelate with AIS; and a conceptual/practical understanding of IT and its application within businesses.

ACC205 Auditing
This paper provides students with an introduction to external auditors’ obligations in New Zealand and the methods by which those obligations are met. 

ACC206 Taxation
This paper provides students with an understanding of the New Zealand tax base, the principles under which tax is imposed, basic legislation relevant to fringe benefits and GST so that students will be able to apply taxation and related legislation to various situations. 

LAW210 Company Law
This paper provides students with knowledge of the legal principles and concepts relating to companies and other business vehicles and the analytical skills to apply those principles and concepts in practice.

MAN215 Organisational Behaviour
The application of a range of ideas, theories and concepts from the discipline of organisational behaviour.

MAN232 Operations Management
This paper provides students with an understanding of the management function in relation to the production of goods and services.  Students will gain knowledge of the practical realities of operations management and how it contributes to the overall management of the organisation.

MAN233 Human Resource Management
Students will understand the roles, functions and application of human resource management within contemporary New Zealand organisations.

MAN235 Employment Relations
This paper provides students with an understanding of the opportunities and risks created by the employment relations framework by developing their understanding and knowledge of the key institutions, processes and practices in contemporary employment relations in New Zealand.

MKT271 Consumer Behaviour
This paper provides students with a comprehensive knowledge base and understanding of the concepts, principles and theories of consumer behavior.  Topics include the relationship(s) between producers and consumers; the impact of situational, psychological, social and cultural elements of consumer behaviour, materialism, and the impact of technology.

MKT272 Product Management
This paper provides students with a detailed understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of product management, including new product development, branding and the role of the product manager.

MKT273  Integrated Marketing Communication
This paper provides students with a detailed understanding of core Integrated marketing communication concepts and their practical application. Marketing communication tools such as advertising, public relations, sales promotion, personal selling, direct marketing and electronic marketing are examined.  Integrated media plans will be developed and students will be encouraged to improve their IMC research, planning and presentation skills.

MKT274 Pricing and Distribution Management
This paper provides students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the external and internal factors influencing pricing and distribution decisions; formulating, implementing and monitoring pricing and distribution strategies and decisions. The skills developed include analysis of problems, problem solving, working collaboratively within groups, using and working with numerical information, using spreadsheets, negotiating, resolving conflicts and making, reporting and evaluating decisions.

RES280 Research Methods
This paper provides students with an introduction to key analytical tools used within business and the implications for managerial decision-making.  Students learn to apply appropriate research methodologies to identify and solve business related problems.

TSM285 Tourism Industry Management
This paper provides students with the ability to establish and develop tourism ventures in New Zealand and an understanding of the operational issues in managing tourism ventures.

Elective

Up to three elective papers at Level 6 may be taken from qualifications other than SIT Bachelor of Commerce - to be approved by the Programme Manager (prerequisities may apply).

In order to meet NZICA requirements students planning to qualify as Chartered Accountants (CA) or Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA) should select the following elective papers: ACC205 Auditing, ACC206 Taxation and LAW210 Company Law 

Year 3

ACC301 Advanced Financial Reporting
This paper provides students with sufficient theoretical understanding of New Zealand’s financial reporting environment, and sufficient technical skills, to prepare complex financial statements that comply with generally accepted accounting practices. 

ACC302 Advanced Management Accounting
This paper provides students with advanced concepts and skills to be able to provide and evaluate accounting information that contributes to organisational success.

ACC304 Accounting Dissertation
This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct advanced research into an aspect of accounting theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge learnt in accounting papers.

CON359 Contemporary Issues
This paper provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of various marketing / management / accounting  theories and practices applicable to profit and/or non-profit organisations, which reflect the key contemporary issues faced by organisations. Students will be able to identify, consolidate and evaluate strategic issues studied in earlier parts of the degree and within the current business environment.

ICE360 Industry Consultation
This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct research into an aspect of accounting / management / marketing theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge obtained in previous papers. The paper also links the research that students have undertaken to a related applied project. A key aim is to enable students to reflect critically on the relationship between their academic study and industry practice. The chosen topic must take into account a real need identified by the student’s employer or other beneficiary.

The project forms the final component of the programme and requires students to produce work of the highest quality as evidence of their development.

The Industry Consultation paper concludes with a presentation and defence before a panel composed of the programme manager, a representative of the employer or project beneficiary, and the supervisor.

MAN334 Strategic Management
This paper provides students with an insight into how to think strategically in order to gain strategic advantage and to add value to an organisation.  Students apply strategic management principles to simulated and actual business situations to develop their critical thinking skills.

MAN336 Management Dissertation
This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct advanced research into an aspect of management theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge learnt in management papers.

ETH360 Business Ethics
This paper aims to provide participants with an understanding of ethical reasoning. Participants will learn to identify ethical issues and evaluate ethical theories as they are applied to various contexts with a particular emphasis on business.

Elective     
Up to four elective papers at Level 7 may be taken from qualifications other than SIT Bachelor of Commerce - to be approved by the Programme Manager (prerequisities may apply).

Bachelor of Commerce graduates have a sound understanding and awareness of the New Zealand business environment alongside practical skills that will add value to a business, either as an employer, employee or business owner.

• Accounting majors can find careers in financial accounting, financial management, corporate accounting, taxation, auditing and business consulting. Students can apply to become members of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
• Management majors can find careers in production management, supply chain or logistics management, human resources management, project management or general management (after obtaining relevant experience in the business environment).
• Marketing majors can find careers in marketing and sales management, product management, merchandising, services marketing, market research, brand management, customer services management, key account management or general management (after obtaining relevant experience within a sales and marketing environment).

Applicants will have evidence of the achievement of a minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from the approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects.  Plus a minimum of 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in mathematics.  Plus a minimum of eight credits at Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori of which four credits must be in reading and four credits must be in witing.

Entry may also be granted to mature applicants who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience, or completion of an external or overseas qualification which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications as approved by the Head of Faculty, or equivalent mathematics qualifications, either New Zealand Diploma in Business paper 430 Quantitative Business Methods or an overseas paper that NZQA recognises as being equivalent to the New Zealand Diploma in Business paper 430 Quantitative Business Methods.

In addition, the following requirements apply to applicants in all admissions categories.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be expected to have completed the Certificate in Intensive English Language (Level 3) or its equivalent; or have an IELTS score of 6.0 across all four bands (or equivalent international English assessment score), or have gained grades of B or better in a minimum of three New Zealand Diploma in Business papers.

The head of faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the programme. If there are more applicants than places available, students will be selected primarily on academic ability.

All enrolments in the Bachelor of Commerce are at the discretion of the programme manager in consultation with the head of faculty and teaching staff, as required. 

Additional Criteria
A student who has successfully completed a minimum of three papers in the New Zealand Diploma in Business may transfer their enrolment and be admitted onto the Bachelor of Commerce programme.  The programme manager will advise according to the current cross credit schedules.

Provisional Part time Admission
An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more year one papers. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for admission by mature entry. 

Click here to download the 2013 timetable (PDF file).

Every candidate for the qualification of the Bachelor of Commerce is required to follow to the satisfaction of the Board of Studies, a programme of study for a minimum period of three years. Each year of study comprises two 17-week semesters.

Programmes of study for the Bachelor of Commerce are made up of clusters of papers taken at the appropriate levels as outlined in the programme schedule.

The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 360 credits for successful completion of the qualification.

Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which may be required to be satisfied by students.

Candidates may withdraw without penalty, provided they do so before the approved withdrawal date for the programme. Refunds and other financial arrangements attached to the SIT Zero Fees Scheme are detailed on the application form, and in the SIT Student Handbook and Policies and Procedures Manual of the QMS.

In order to be awarded the Bachelor of Commerce, the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the programme schedule.

A student completing the Bachelor of Commerce will normally be expected to complete the three-year programme (full-time equivalent) within 10 years.

Notwithstanding the requirements set out above, the Head of Faculty with the approval and recommendation of the Board of Studies may allow a student a longer period to complete the programme.

Specific programme completion requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accounting, management and marketing, and the Bachelor of Commerce – Double Majors in two of accounting, management and marketing, can be found in the curriculum document.

To download key dates for 2014 click here