Fiscal Studies

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST), in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, introduced a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Fiscal Studies in 2006. The first group will be graduating before the end of this year. The two partners will also be introducing a master’s component of the programme during the 2010/2011 academic year.

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE HONOURS DEGREE IN FISCAL STUDIES

Entry Qualifications

• Five `O’ Level passes including English and Mathematics [A,B, or C Grades]

At least two `A’ level passes At least 2 “A” level passes for non-ZIMRA      employees.

• At least 5 “O” levels including English and Mathematics and a Diploma in Taxation plus two years experience for ZIMRA employees.
• There is also provision for mature entry for persons who may not have the appropriate academic qualifications for entry but who have suitable or relevant post-school experience and who satisfy the University and the Department of their ability to complete  degree course satisfactorily.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

PART I

FIRST SEMESTER

CAC 1107 Accounting IA

CBU 1102 Business Communication

CIN 1103 Commercial Law I

CBA 1104 Principles of Microeconomics

CBU 1108 Principles of Management

CIN 1106 Quantitative Analysis for Business I

PLC 1101 Peace Leadership and Conflict Transformation I

SECOND SEMESTER

CAC 1208 Accounting IB

CIN 1204 Commercial Law II

CBA 1205 Principles of Macroeconomics

CBU 1209 Principles of Marketing

CIN 1207 Quantitative Analysis for Business II

CBU 1209 Principles of Marketing

PLC 1201 Peace Leadership and Conflict Transformation II

PART II

FIRST SEMESTER

CFI 2101 Corporate Finance I

CFS 2101 Tax Law and Practice

CAC 2106 Accounting IIA

CFS 2102 Computer Application in Revenue Management

CIN 2106 Company Law I

CFS 2103 Value Added Tax I

SECOND SEMESTER

CFI 2201 Corporate Finance II

CFS 2201 Customs Law

CFS 2202 Public Finance

CFS 2203 Economics of Taxation

CFI 2205 Research Methods in Finance and Economics

CIN 2206 Company Law II

CFS 2204 Customs Management Theory and Practice

PART III

CFS 3001 INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT

PART IV

FIRST SEMESTER

CFS 4101 Customs Management Theory and Practice

CFS 4102 International Trade

CFS 4103 Value Added Tax II

CFS 4104 Audit Practice and Investigation I

CFS 4105 Taxation Accounting

CFI 4107 Corporate Governance and Ethics

CFI 4200 Project

SECOND SEMESTER

CFS 4201 International Economics Integration

CFS 4202 Audit Practice and Investigation II

CFS 4203 Economic and Fiscal Policy

CFI 4206 Financial Modeling

CFS 4204 National Income Accounting

CFS 4205 Interpretation of Statutes and Legal Drafting

CFI 4200 Project

COURSE SYNOPSIS

PART 1

REFER TO PART 1 FOR B.COMM FINANCE (ABOVE)

PART 11

CFS 2101    TAX LAW AND PRACTICE

The course will cover topics that include tax administration, income and capital gains, deductions and capital allowances, tax accounting, computation of tax, international aspects, special tax rules for different entities, tax  planning and the computation of taxable amounts and liability.

CFS 2102    COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN REVENUE MANAGEMENT

This course seeks to introduce the students to the computer based revenue management models that can help improve the collection and management of revenue.

CFS 2201    CUSTOMS LAW

This course seeks to examine the customs law act and the regulations that govern the importation of goods.  The valuation of imported goods for customs purpose is also going to be covered.

CFS 2203    ECONOMIC OF TAXATION

The objective is to provide students with a conceptual framework for examining government taxing and to use this framework for analyzing current tax policy and proposals for reform.  The focus will be on evaluating the impact of taxation on the allocation of resources and the distribution of income.  This course is primarily designed to provide students with knowledge of Customs related laws of Zimbabwe and how it is affected by International Customs norms of standards such as the Harmonized System and the GATT valuation code.

CFS 2103    VALUE ADDED TAX I

The courses will introduce VAT Legislation and practice to students and prepare them to be able to apply the statutes to varying practical situations.

CFS 2204    CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE I

This subject introduces students to the policy and principles of customs administration and international trends that impact on customs, including social expectations, emerging technologies and the global economy.  A detailed analysis of the role and responsibilities of customs authorities is undertaken, including a historical perspective of the customs function, its evolving role in International trade and commerce and the various international conventions and agreements which impact on customs policy.

PART IV

CFS 4101    CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE II

This subject introduces students to key aspects of customs policy and practice, international principles governing the assessment of import duties and other taxes, and the implementation of international agreements across a range of customs jurisdictions.  It includes a detailed analysis of particular aspects of customs management, including the classification and valuation of goods for customs purposes, international rules of origin, customs warehouses and free trade zones, transit and transshipment, excise of special import arrangements.

CFS 4102    INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The course aims to introduce the students into the main facts of the theory of international trade, as well as to demonstrate principles of applying basic models in the trade policy. The theory of trade policy under imperfect competition is being considered.

CFS 4103    VALUE ADDED TAX II

In this course students will examine selected aspects of the rules for taxing income in Zimbabwe, including tax residence and source, the taxation of interest, dividends and royalties, double taxation agreements, non resident withholding tax, foreign tax credits, foreign companies and trusts, transfer pricing and thin capitalization.  Some reference will be made to other countries, income tax regimes and also to recent international tax policy reforms and proposals.

CFS 4104    AUDIT PRACTICE AND INVESTIGATIONS I

This course will develop auditing and assurance knowledge and will examine special auditing topics such as comprehensive auditing, non-profit auditing, environment auditing and small business auditing.

CFS 4105    TAXATION ACCOUNTING

The course provides a study of the federal revenue acts as they relate primarily to individual income tax theory and practice. topical coverage includes the individual income tax return, gross income inclusions and exclusions, business expenses and retirement plans, self-employed and employee expenses, itemized and other deductions, accounting periods, accounting methods, depreciation, capital gains and losses, and payroll taxes.

CFI 4107     CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS

The course seeks to develop in students a firm understanding of the basics of Corporate Governance by getting insights in different corporate governance systems.  The course will also include issues relating to fiduciary duties, risk oversight, audits, internal controls and crisis management.

SECOND SEMESTER

CFS4201     INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

The aim of this course is to understand the changing global order by analyzing the basis of globalisation and regionalisation.  In this context, international intergration theory and practice constitute the core of the course, covering issues like customs union, common market and all other trade agreements.

CFS 4202    AUDIT PRACTICE AND INVESTIGATIONS  II.

The course examines strategic audit planning, best practices, fieldwork techniques, audit automation, innovative audit reporting and relationship with the Board and Audit Committee.

CFS 4203    ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICY

The course will examine the application of economic tools and theory to daily issues and problems in the economy of Zimbabwe.  It will include concepts on resource scarcity allocation, intervention economics and political decision making, fiscal institutions, cost-benefit analysis for public projects, privatization and economics of state enterprises.

CFI4206      FINANCIAL MODELLING

Course aims to give a pragmatic and applied approach to statistical techniques relevant to modern financial analysis.  Students will also study the fundamentals of financial innovation in quantitative finance.  This will involve exploration of major valuation techniques in a variety of contexts including equity option, currency option, fixed income and exotic derivatives.

CFS 4204    NATIONAL INCOME ACCOUNTING

The course will examine the complete circular flow model and measuring the national income. The income and expenditure approaches will be covered.

CFS 4205    INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES AND LEGAL DRAFTING

The course provides a general introduction to interpretation of statutes and fundamental rules and techniques of good drafting of pieces of legislation.  It examines both legislative process and the interpretation of statutes.  Students will study various tools of statutory interpretation, including the uses of legislative history materials and the doctrines and textual canons of statutory construction.  Practice in the drafting of basic documents encountered in the general practice of law; course may focus litigation documents, documents, or a combination thereof.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FISCAL STUDIES

This is a new programme introduced by the University under the Department of Finance to meet the following objectives:

1. 1. To provide a distinct set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that are needed to serve the diverse stakeholders in the field of public finance/revenue/economics.
2. 2. To provide internationally recognized standards for the professional development of managers in the areas of public finance/revenue/economics.
3. 3. To provide a global resource for the government and the private sector, as well as regional governments.
4. 4. To provide a knowledge-base for those students who wish to pursue further studies and research in the field of public finance/revenue/economics, particularly, trade, customs and taxes.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Fiscal Studies programme, a candidate should normally hold:

• A good honors degree in a commercial field, specifically, Fiscal; Public Finance; Public Economics; Customs; Taxation; Economics; Finance; Accounting; Business Studies; Commerce; or their equivalents; or
• · A Bachelors degree in any discipline plus an acceptable postgraduate diploma or professional qualifications from an accredited university/institution with a Fiscal-, Public Finance-, Public Economics-, Customs-, Taxation-, Business-, Finance-, Economics-, Accounting-, or Commerce-related content.  In addition, the candidate should possess relevant experience; or
• · An Honours degree in any discipline, plus extensive experience in the areas of Fiscal, Public Finance, Public Economics, Economics, Finance, or equivalents, subject to approval by the senate on approval by the faculty.

DURATION OF PROGRAMME AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS

The programme will normally be on a 24-month part-time basis, to be conducted from the National University of Science and Technology. The programme will be presented in modular format over its duration, consisting of 13 full weeks of delivery (56 contact hours per module).  Students also have to complete a research dissertation.

REGISTRATION

Registration of students shall normally be in July/August every year.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

STAGE I

CORE MODULES

CFS    5101   Public Finance and Debt Management

CFS    5102   Policy Development and Implementation

CFS    5103   Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Government Financial Management

CFS    5105  Ethics, Governance and Development

CFS    5104   Research Methodology*

* Examinable by Coursework

STAGE II

CFS 5204      Financial Econometrics and Data Analysis

CFS    5201   Revenue Forecasting, Mobilisation and Modelling

CFS    5202   International and Comparative Intellectual Property

CFS    5203   Applied Strategic Management

STAGE III

Elective Modules (To select four)**

General Fiscal Studies/Public Finance/Revenue Electives

CFS    5301   Advanced Budgeting in the Public Sector

CFS    5318  Project and Programme Planning and Management

CFS    5302   Public Sector Risk Management

CFS    5303    Service Operations Management

CFS    5304   Valuation, Pricing and Revenue Management

Customs Electives

CFS    5305   International Commercial Transactions Law

CFS    5306   Multilateral System of Trade and Relations

CFS    5307   Customs Management and Reform

CFS    5308   International Supply Chain Management

CFS    5309   Strategic Export Controls

CFS    5310   International Aviation and Space Law

CFS    5311   Non-Tariff Trade Rules

Taxes Electives

CFS    5312     Comparative Tax Policy and Reform

CFS    5313   Taxation of International Trade

CFS    5314   Environmental Taxation

CFS    5315   Toxic and Narcotic Substances

CFS    5316   International Tax Planning

CFS    5317   Taxation in a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Model

**Elective modules will be offered subject to availability of manpower and resources.

STAGE IV

CFS    5400  Dissertation

MODULE DETAILS

CORE MODULES SYNOPSES

CFS 5101    PUBLIC FINANCE AND DEBT MANAGEMENT

The thrust of the module is to develop among students an understanding and appreciation of Public Finance and Debt Management from the theoretical and practical point of view. It also enables the students to analyse the financial systems of Zimbabwe and other countries. The major aspects of the module will include sources of public revenue, public expenditure, financial administration, and budgeting principles.  For Debt Management, the major aspects will comprise corporate debt management, public debt management, origins of debt crisis, the oil price shocks, the external debt difficulties of low-income Africa, debt reduction and reconstructing.

CFS 5102    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

The course exposes students to the public policy making process, institutions and actors involved in the public policy making, the political economy of public policy making and role of private sector and non-state actors in public policy making, as well as implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policies. It includes generic policy processes as well as ways in which such processes are undertaken in different countries; managing politics and the internal and external challenges and opportunities of managing public and non-profit organisations, including organisational mission, values, communication, culture, organisational environment and the policy process, legislative-executive relations, interest group advocacy and media relations; the gap between policy and implementation and how to bridge them. Focus will also be made on different policy environments, focusing on strategies, tactics, and frameworks needed to initiate and sustain policy in authoritarian, democratic, liberal, and one-party states. Pressures from the international system and issues such as globalisation will also be addressed.

CFS 5103    FISCAL DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The course contextual framework for transfer of power from central to subnational governments, the scope and nature of fiscal decentralization, and the varied issues involved in affecting it.  Specific topics include: trends in fiscal decentralization; alternative models for structuring a multilevel public sector; expenditure assignment, revenue assignment and mobilization; local government budgeting; intergovernmental transfers, borrowing and debt, creditworthiness and the financial risks of local authorities; capacity building arrangements; “sequencing” of intergovernmental reforms, determination of “fiscal space” for local revenue mobilization; decentralization reform as a strategy for nation building; design of budget policies that support a stable macroeconomic manner; mechanisms for mobilizing revenues in an accountable, transparent manner, mechanisms to support public infrastructure development and its appropriate financing; global lessons of intergovernmental systems and fiscal decentralization.

CFs 5105    ethics, governance and development

CFS 5104    RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The module is aimed at providing students with research skills necessary to enable them to start conceptualizing and initiating the research process toward their dissertations at the beginning of the programme.  It will also assist the students’ research activities for the rest of the courses.  The course covers: research proposals, literature review, research paradigms, research designs, data collection instruments, research instruments, methods of presentation, analysis and interpretation of research findings, focusing on the field of public finance/revenue/economics, customs and taxes.

CFS 5204    Financial Econometrics and Data Analysis

CFS 5201    REVENUE FORECASTING, MOBILISATION AND MODELLING

The course covers current practices in revenue forecasting and mobilization in different countries and regional blocs; pricing and revenue optimization and legal issues associated with different pricing strategies; influence of economic forecast errors and political institutional factors on the general fund revenue forecast errors; challenges from globalization, corporate tax competition and trade liberalization and revenue replacement principles; distinction between resource-related and other revenues.  Further, the course equips students with techniques of building models on excel, specifically: financial analysis models; sensitivity and scenario analysis; capital budgeting; bond analysis; VAR and simulation models.

CSFS 5202  INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The course enables students to be able to identify the sources of international intellectual property (IP) law and apply them to their own country’s environment. Topics include: principles and concepts of IP law, including copyright, trademark, and patent law; role of IP as a tool of world trade; role and impact of global industry and non-governmental organisations in shaping IP policy, including regulation of biotechnology, electronic commerce and impact of IP on the environment and human rights; IP rights in the international trading environment and application thereof across a range of jurisdictions and in relation to specific issues; international agreements and dispute procedures on IP; and comparative evaluative studies on implementation of particular treaties in various countries.

CFS 5103    APPLIED STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

The course aims at identifying and evaluating options for strengthening the performance of public organisations and managing changes in the public sector.  Topics include: concepts and thesis of strategic management in public sector; vision, mission and objectives; development of strategy process; strategic planning; implementation; monitoring; evaluation and taking corrective steps; management of change in organisation. It also requires students to distinguish between strategy process, strategy content and strategy context and merging the three dimensions into a comprehensive view of strategic management. It also covers advanced topics in the strategy field and challenges in strategy implementation faced when operating in the global environment.

ELECTIVE MODULES

CFS 5301    ADVANCED BUDGETING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

The course covers more advanced topics in governmental budgeting and financial management. It gives an overview of public and nonprofit budgeting systems and covers tools and techniques for budget analysis.  Further, it provides an overview of the functions, expenditures, and revenues of state and local governments. Topics include: budget structures, classification and reform, revenue forecasting, revenue estimating and tax expenditure budgets, revenue and expenditure analysis (determining the supply and demand for public fiscal resources); intergovernmental fiscal relations, debt administration, managing funds (including working capital); budgeting as a mechanism for financial planning and management; budget cycle; budget adoption and execution; analytical techniques for budgeting and financial planning; fiscal impact analysis; management information and performance evaluation systems.

CFS 5318    PROJECT AND PROGRAMME PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

CFS 5202    PUBLIC SECTOR RISK MANAGEMENT

The course provides the opportunity to view risk management strategically than more conservatively as compliance to regulations, providing effective risk management systems and tools and incorporating effective use of information and technology in managing risk.  It examines a variety of frameworks and models of risk with respect to regulation, policy, and decision-making. The aim is to enable management to effectively deal with uncertainty and its associated risk and opportunities, enhancing the capacity to build value, to deliver more effective services more efficiently and economically.  Topics include: risk assessment and analysis methodology (quantitative and qualitative); sources of risk; risk management process; identifying events; appropriate risk management strategies; control activities; information and communication tools; public sector risk structures and processes.

CFS 5303    SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

The course examines how services can be delivered in a way that is responsive to the needs of those being served and maximized the effective utilization of resources.  It addresses questions of organisational design, personnel, and operations management, inter-organisational networks, process analysis, sustaining the service organisation, services integration, improving production flows, measuring and managing for performance.

CFS 5304    VALUATION, pricing and revenue management

The course equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to determine the value of goods and services in the public sector.  It also covers valuation for taxes and customs purposes.  It also covers appreciation determining the impact of issues such as royalties and discounts on the value of goods. Specifically, it enables students to determine the customs value of imported goods under their national legislation, drawing extensively from international practice and domestic case law.  In addition, it provides the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Valuation Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Valuation Agreement), analyze adjustments required to arrive at a correct valuation for their customs administration, determine when to use a valuation method other than the transaction valuation, using acceptable WTO Valuation.

CFS 5305    INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS LAW

The objective of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the legal environment in which international trade and commerce are conducted by business entities in both civil and common law countries. Both private and public law aspects of international trade and commerce will be examined.  Private law covers transactions relating to sale of goods, forms of payments, customs, shipping law, insurance law, securities over international transactions in traditional and electronic forms, and private international aspects with particular reference to dispute resolution.  Public law covers the impact of international obligations, both multilateral and bilateral, on the conduct of trade and commerce, as well as principles of international law relating to contracts and dispute settlement and arbitration.

CFS 5306    MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF TRADE AND RELATIONS

The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of GATT/WTO law in the regulation of international commerce, with particular emphasis on trade in goods, trade in services, dispute resolution, and trade facilitation.  This includes identification of GATT/WTO issues and their implications for practice; GATT/WTO law reform and implications thereof for customs law and practice; and other areas of trade law with suggestions for reform. Other topics include: economics of trade; investment issues; the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures; bilateral investment treaties; GATT/WTO rules on regional trade agreements (RTAs).

CFS 5307    CUSTOMS management and reform

The course enables students to apply contemporary administration methods and the newest management practices in practical everyday activities, analyze practical situations, evaluate arising problems and make proper decisions; use national and international networks and customs computer databases; apply special international trade customs policy, international carriage and logistics knowledge; implement contemporary customs tasks and functions and form customs strategy.  Specific topics include: comparative analysis of public administration; administrative legal relations in customs activities administration of customs; strategic development of the state; customs policy of different regional blocs; international trade; protection of intellectual property in international trade; customs strategies of different regional blocs.   Further, the course addresses issues relating to customs reform and modernization, mainly, the requirements for reform and modernization of customs structures, policies and procedures; the significance of international conventions, such as the Kyoto Convention and the role of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in supporting customs reform and modernization; the design and implementation of strategic planning for customs administration; challenges to the change process; strategic planning and change management techniques and strategies to support a reform and modernization process.

CFS 5308    INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

The course provides an understanding of the effective operation of the international supply chain and the role of customs (both for imports and exports) inside it, the needs of its component parts and the opportunities it presents for effective control and trade facilitation.  It provides a detailed study of: the WTO instruments for trade facilitation and safeguard measures; the Revised Kyoto Convention; the SAFE Framework of Standards; supply chain management; opportunities and barriers; stakeholder requirements (banking and insurance sector, importers and exporters, logistics and transportation companies, clearance agents, public, international associations and organisations, national bilateral and multilateral agencies, and the final clients); capacity to integrate customs inside the supply chain.

CFS 5309    STRATEGIC EXPORT CONTROLS

The course is designed to equip students with a comprehensive knowledge of export controls of defence and strategic goods and how these controls fit into global non-proliferation efforts of weapons of mass destruction (WMI). It covers international treaties, regimes and UN sanctions; export control administration and process; Export control legislation in various countries and their global impact; risk assessment/risk of diversion and the role of intelligence.

CFS 5310    INTERNATIONAL AVIATION AND SPACE LAW

The course examines the environment and multilateral legal principles and institutional framework within which international aviation operates. It provides an analysis and interpretation of the nature of bilateral air services agreements. Further, it examines international conventions and state practices in relation to offences against aircraft; rules relating to liability regime established by the Warsaw Convention and subsequent agreements; international standards relating to establishment and operation of airports, clearance of passengers and cargo through international airports and norms applying to customs quarantine and immigration. The course then examines the multilateral regulation governing the use of outer space for peaceful (and non-peaceful) purposes.

CFS 5311    NON-TARIFF TRADE RULES

The course focuses on current and emerging issues concerning security of the supply chain and authorized trader programs that have been legislated for in many countries.  It provides a comprehensive introduction to international supply chain concepts, benchmarking and best practice approaches to the management of supply chain issues including regulatory compliance and security. To achieve this the course requires that students be able to articulate and apply the principles contained in the World Customs Organisation’s Framework of Standards, explain issues relevant to international regulation of the supply chain, and be capable of developing and implementing a variety of compliance approaches to the regulatory requirements.

CFS 5312    COMPARATIVE Tax policy and Reform

The course provides an overview to the principles and policies that underlie and shape tax systems and reforms.  Principles of good tax policy are explained and applied to various tax rules and tax system features.  Policy issues of key types of taxes are examined.  Students will gain a broader appreciation of the tax law beyond its technical application, as well as how tax, economic, social and environmental policies interact.  In addition, the course examines key tax policy issues that arise in different countries, with a particular focus on the design and structure of the income tax.  It will consider comparative analysis of tax systems, and tax policy principles including equity, efficiency, and ability to pay, progressivity and tax expenditures.  Specific topics include: tax rates, definition of income, personal deductions, that tax unit, taxing corporate and capital income, and tax administration and management on a comparative basis.   An understanding of fundamental tax reform will be gained through study of why major reform is often proposed, the key types of proposals and the issues that arise.

cfs 5313    taxation of international trade

The course covers: taxation regulations and practices faced by international firms (corporate tax, income tax, value added tax, tariffs); tax refunds; tariffs in free zones; taxation in Customs Union Operations; provisional importation; taxation in cross border leasing; and double taxation.

CFS 5314    ENVIRONMENTAL TAXATION

The course provides an introduction to the areas of excise law and administration which relates to the taxation of certain products or processes that impact upon the environment.  There is particular focus on the differing types of approaches to the taxation of such products and processes through the excise system, including levies, off-sets, rebates and incentives.  The course also addresses contemporary issues relating to application of environmentally based taxes, such as impact on local industry and consumers, development of environmental protection technology, and cross border issues. Specifics include: carbon taxation principles; other pollution based taxes; Kyoto Convention and taxation; motor vehicle excises; and the use of taxation incentives to achieve environmental outcomes.

CFS 5315    TOXIC AND NARCOTIC SUBSTANCES

The course covers issues relating to the importation and export of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs, and the excise and taxation infrastructure thereof.  It provides the framework for understanding the different types of alcohol and their origins, the taxation and administrative issues around the manufacture of alcohol such as blending and repackaging; the main means of taxing alcohol; the factors in setting alcohol policy; impact of alcohol tax on government, consumers and the industry; contemporary issues in alcohol policy and compliance issues.  The course also covers understanding of different types of tobacco products and their origins; excise law and administration which impact upon the manufacture and distribution of tobacco and tobacco products; the main means of taxing tobacco; impact of tobacco tax on government, consumers and industry; factors in setting tobacco tax policy; tobacco tax fraud and global compliance issues.

CFS 5316    INTERNATIONAL TAX PLANNING

The course covers the theories, doctrines and principles of international taxation; international trade and taxation principles (including internet trade and its tax liabilities); offshore activities and their tax implications; tax burden minimization; tax avoidance schemes in international trade, licensing, leasing and franchising operations as well as international double taxation avoidance treaties, and international collaborations in the field of taxes; international anti treaty-shopping provisions; comparison of different model conventions (e.g. UN and OECD); comparison of major tax jurisdiction; tax harmonization; tax havens/tax-privileged nations; and off-shore jurisdictions.

CFS 5317    TAXATION IN A COMPUTABLE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM (CGE) MODEL

The course enables students to capture many of the complex interactions between different types of taxes, and their effects upon different sectors, agents, or regions in an economy.  It enables students to understand the basic concepts and theories used in the construction of a computable general equilibrium model (or applied general equilibrium (AGE) model, then use this framework to analyze the impacts of some important taxes, such as environmental tax or goods and services tax, in an economy.  Initially, the issue of interactions (or trade-off) between different types of taxes given a particular level of taxation, will be addressed, followed by the issue of optimal level of taxation which gives rise to the concept of marginal cost of public funds. Topics include: taxation in a first best and second best economy; computable general equilibrium modelling of taxation issues (basic structure of CGE model and how taxes fit into this structure, use of CGE to analyze taxation issues relating to environmental, goods and services, and labour income tax, excess tax burden and marginal cost of public fund); empirical examples (analysis of the results from a practical CGE model of taxation).

CFS 5400    DISSERTATION

The dissertation, which is compulsory, helps students to consolidate theoretical knowledge gained in the Taught Section of the programme by completing a research project under the supervision of the Department staff and or professionals in sectors relevant to the topic being pursued.

Contact Details

Postal Address

The Chairperson

Department of Finance

National University of Science and Technology

P O Box AC 939, Ascot

Bulawayo

Zimbabwe

Tel: +263-09-282842