Certified Public Accountant Course In South Africa

The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is a professional accounting qualification that will help advance your career prospects in financial management, auditing, taxation and consulting. The CPA course takes 3 years to complete and there are two pathways you can take – an apprenticeship programme or an undergraduate degree programme.

Certified Public Accountant Course In South Africa

CPA is a professional qualification issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

A CPA qualification will help advance your career prospects in financial management, auditing, taxation and consulting. It is a valuable addition to your CV and can help you achieve your career goals.

Overview of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course

The CPA qualification is a professional accounting designation that will help advance your career prospects in financial management, auditing, taxation and consulting. The designation requires you to pass the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examination.

The ACCA is an international body with over 200,000 members in 150 countries around the world. It was founded as an alternative to other certification bodies for accountants who are looking for an internationally recognised qualification without having to study outside their home country.

CPA course fees in South Africa

CPA course fees for 2019 – R34,500 (approx)

CPA course fees for 2020 – R36,800 (approx)

CPA course fees for 2021 – R38,200 (approx)

CPA course fees for 2022 – R40,400 (approx)

CPA course fees for 2023 – R42,600 (approx)

Note: The CPA examination fee is not included in the above amounts.

Entry requirements for the CPA course

There are several entry requirements to become a certified public accountant in South Africa. You will need at least a matric qualification with four passes, or the equivalent thereof. In addition, you must have successfully completed one of the following:

• A recognised accounting diploma;
• A recognised accounting degree;
• A recognised accounting certificate;
• A recognised accounting apprenticeship; or
• A recognised accounting technician certificate/diploma.

Subjects covered in the CPA course

Subjects covered in the CPA course include:

• Auditing and assurance: This module will teach you how to audit financial statements, including how to conduct an audit. It also teaches you how to report on your findings.
• Business finance: The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of the principles and practices related to business finance, including capital structure decisions and working capital management.
• Corporate governance: This module aims at developing students’ knowledge about corporate governance by focusing on key issues such as accountability, transparency, leadership roles, board independence and company culture.”

Course structure and duration of the CPA qualification in South Africa

The CPA duration in South Africa is a two-year full-time programme. It is available at a number of universities and colleges across the country.

The course combines lectures, tutorials and practicals. The first year modules include:

• Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)
• Management Accounting (MA)
• Taxation (TAX)

What to expect in the CPA examinations

The CPA examinations are held twice a year, in Johannesburg and Cape Town. They are also offered in English and Afrikaans. The examinations take place over two days, on the mornings of these days.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification is a professional accounting designation that will help advance your career prospects in financial management, auditing and taxation.

The CPA qualification is highly regarded by employers and the accounting profession due to its rigorous training requirements and stringent standards of practice. This means you can expect to be paid more if you have this qualification on your CV.

Closing

If you’re looking to advance your career prospects in finance, auditing, taxation or consulting, then the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification is an ideal choice. Not only will it help you develop the knowledge and skills required to excel in these fields but also give you a competitive edge over other candidates who don’t have this designation