Business Broker

The purpose of the Higher Occupational Certificate: Business Broker is to prepare a learner to function as a Business Broker. Business Brokers facilitate the sale of privately held businesses, small, micro and medium enterprises, franchised businesses, new start-up ventures and newly created franchise concepts either as a going concern, sale of shares, sale of member's interest or sale of assets, addressing the purchase and transfer of the business and managing the sale process. Their expertise lies in navigating complex transactions and interpersonal relationships while maximising value for clients, guiding compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This qualification will equip learners with specialised skills to facilitate the sale of privately held businesses, franchises, and start-ups, increasing their employability in a niche market. It provides in-depth knowledge of business valuation, legal and financial compliance, and effective transaction management. Learners gain expertise in market research, strategic marketing, and relationship management, while also learning to manage a brokerage practice. This qualification enhances their ability to navigate complex business sales, contribute to the growth of the SME sector, and explore entrepreneurship, making them valuable assets in a dynamic, high-stakes field. A qualified learner will be able to: • Research and prospect the business market to introduce business brokering services to potential buyers and sellers. • Analyse businesses to determine their drivers of value and mandate businesses for sale. • Develop strategies to market the business effectively to potential buyers, which includes preparing marketing materials, crafting listings, and advertising through various business marketing channels. • Guide the parties (buyer and seller) with regards to the structure of the sale, considering legal and financial implications, and compliance, with the view to responsibly facilitate transactions that optimise both buyer and seller objectives. • Facilitate all processes to conclude the sale and transfer ownership to the buyer. • Manage a Business Brokerage Practice. Graduate attributes: • Sense of urgency • Adaptability • Effective team player • Critical thinking and • Problem solving • Practically orientated • Customer focused • Innovative • Technology inclined • Culturally sensitive

This qualification has been developed to address the need for Business Brokers that are competent to provide expert guidance in valuing and negotiating business transactions, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. Qualified Business Brokers will enhance the efficiency of the market by streamlining the buying and selling processes of businesses, which contributes to a more transparent and trustworthy business environment. The Higher Occupational Certificate: Business Broker will enhance the credibility of the profession and standardise the skills and knowledge required for the role. This qualification will attract new talent to the sector and ensure that business brokers are better equipped to navigate the complexities of valuing businesses, negotiating deals, and adhering to regulatory standards. The result would be a reliable and consistent level of service across the industry, benefiting both brokers and their clients. The qualification will also benefit the society by providing a safeguard against fraudulent practices and promoting fair dealing, protecting both buyers and sellers. Additionally, it will lead to new career opportunities, particularly for young people and those looking to transition into a new field, promoting economic inclusion and diversity within the profession. This broader representation could lead to more inclusive business practices, benefiting society as a whole. By upholding standards of financial transparency and accountability, this qualification contributes to a more efficient market by improving the accuracy of business valuations and transaction processes, ultimately fostering a more dynamic and transparent business environment. Economically, the qualification will facilitate smoother business transactions, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial to South Africa's economy. The newly developed qualification will add to the number of qualified Business Brokers which could stimulate economic growth, job creation, and wealth distribution. This, in turn, would contribute to a more vibrant and competitive business environment, ultimately supporting the country's broader economic development goals. Typical learners include people who are already working within the Business Brokering industry and those who wish to enter the field. Relevant stakeholders and representatives working in all spheres of the Business Brokering environment were consulted in the review of the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to Training: Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a qualification if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a qualification. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. RPL for credits: For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a qualification through any means of formal, informal or nonformal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA): Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a qualification through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 4 qualification.

• Apply prospecting methods, procedures or techniques to identify possible business' buyers and sellers.
• Gather and select information from a range of sources and apply processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to determine the drivers of value for a specific business that inform the business sale mandate.
• Select and apply industry specific methods, procedures and techniques to valuate and market businesses to potential buyers.
• Apply prescribed and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and industry specific practices to facilitate transactions that optimise both buyer and seller objectives.
• Apply industry specific methods, procedures and techniques to conclude the sale of a business and transfer ownership to the buyer.
• Apply prescribed and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and industry specific practices to manage a Business Brokerage Practice.