This qualification is intended for people looking to enter or further develop their knowledge and skills in a business field.
The qualification will provide Aotearoa New Zealand with graduates who can contribute to the achievement of operational objectives for an entity, in an ethical and inclusive manner.
Depending on the strand achieved, graduates will be able to apply business principles and practices to support innovation, performance, and change across operational functions in Accounting, Administration and Technology, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Sales, or Project Management.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Analyse the operational impact of internal and external environments on an entity to inform decision-making.
- Apply knowledge of business principles and practices and contribute operationally to support innovation, performance, and organisational change in an entity.
- Develop and maintain operational business relationships with stakeholders to support the performance of an entity.
- Communicate clear and concise business information with internal and external stakeholders to meet operational objectives of an entity.
- Evaluate how Te Tiriti o Waitangi is reflected in an entity's operations and relationships, and recommend operational activities and approaches to strengthen bi-cultural engagement
- Apply ethical and inclusive practices to contribute to the performance of an entity.

Graduates of the Accounting strand will also be able to:
- Record and process a wide range of financial transactions, including the use of appropriate dedicated accounting software.
- Apply tax rules for individuals and small businesses to ensure compliance.
- Apply accounting concepts and standards to prepare financial statements and reports.
- Interpret and communicate financial and non-financial information to a variety of internal and external stakeholders to assist them in decision-making.
- Prepare and communicate budgets to internal stakeholders and monitor the business's performance against them.
- Evaluate financial and business risk of an entity and identify internal controls that could be applied to minimise or mitigate the risk.
- Act in accordance with the accounting profession's Code of Ethics.

Graduates of the Administration and Technology strand will also be able to:
- Manage business administration functions, operations, and/or projects, to support the entity's operational goals.
- Select, apply and support a broad range of current and emerging business technologies to enhance the entity's performance.
- Manage and evaluate administrative systems and processes and recommend improvements.

Graduates of the Human Resource Management strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of human resource principles and practices to support key human resource functions within an entity.
- Adapt to changes within an entity by applying effective and relevant human resource strategies.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders to provide human resource-specific information and advice within a recognised industry ethical framework.

Graduates of the Leadership strand will also be able to:
- Lead with kaitiakitanga to identify operational challenges and apply continuous improvement techniques to support the entity's performance.
- Lead others to implement activities that contribute to an entity's planned changes and improvements to support its performance.
- Implement strategies to build a positive workplace culture and team culture that values diversity and supports an entity.
- Communicate to lead using interpersonal and influencing techniques to support an entity's performance.

Graduates of the Management strand will also be able to:
- Contribute to business planning to support an entity's performance.
- Manage resources and processes for an entity's performance.
- Implement and manage sustainable practices for an entity's performance.
- Evaluate business decisions and decision-making processes to contribute to an entity's performance.

Graduates of the Marketing strand will also be able to:
- Apply marketing principles and processes, including the role of the entity's brand.
- Advise management on existing and emerging marketing issues, based on secondary market research.
- Use existing technology, and examine emerging tools and platforms relevant for different marketing contexts.

Graduates of the Sales strand will also be able to:
- Apply sales principles and processes, including the role of the entity's brand.
- Advise management on existing and emerging sales issues, based on secondary market research.
- Use existing technology, and examine emerging tools and technology relevant to a range of sales contexts.
- Communicate with customers and prospects, using a buyer-focused approach and negotiation, to contribute towards sales outcomes.

Graduates of the Project Management strand will also be able to:
- Apply project management knowledge, tools, and techniques to manage projects through their life cycle, including responding to change.
- Collaborate with teams across different contexts throughout a project's life cycle.
- Manage stakeholder engagement throughout a project's life cycle.
- Communicate information with diverse audiences throughout a project's life cycle.
- Complete project closure activities, evaluate project success and identify opportunities for improvement for personal, professional, and the entity's project management practices.

This qualification may build on from any of the New Zealand Certificates in Business and Leadership at Level 4, or the New Zealand Certificates in Māori Business and Management (Level 4) and (Level 5).
This qualification may lead to:
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6) with strands in Accounting, Human Resource Management, Māori Business and Management [Ref: 2460]
- relevant industry or professional qualifications within the Business field and non-Business related fields at Level 6 or above.

Completion of the Accounting strand may contribute to meeting the academic entry requirements for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand's Accounting Technician (AT) College. Refer to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand AT College for any additional criteria.
Completion of the Administration and Technology strand may contribute to meeting certification by the Association of Administrative Professionals New Zealand Inc - Te Kawarangi (AdmiNZ-Te Kawarangi).
Completion of the Project Management strand may contribute towards credentials from the Project Management Institute and other professional bodies in Project Management.

None.