How To Become An Accountant In South Africa

Becoming an accountant in South Africa is a rewarding career. Not only is it a stable job with good pay, but also there’s always something new to learn and different challenges to face every day. But how can you become an accountant? What steps do you need to take? And what qualifications do you need? In this article we’ll answer all these questions and outline what it takes to become an accountant in South Africa.

How To Become An Accountant In South Africa

Step 1. Get a Bachelors degree.

To become an accountant in South Africa, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting. This qualification will help you get a job as an accountant and also qualify you to write the SAICA exams.

You can study for your Bachelors of Accounting at many different universities in South Africa.

Step 2. Pass the SAICA exams.

The next step is to pass the SAICA exams. The exams are based on IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), and candidates can choose to write the papers in English or Afrikaans. They can also choose between taking their papers in paper format, or via an online portal. You may be required to study for these papers through a registered training provider, so make sure you do your research before making any decisions about providers and courses.

The SAICA has regional offices located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban where exams are held throughout the year on Saturdays at 9am or 3pm, depending on which venue you attend (there is no need for an appointment).

Step 3. Complete a three year training contract at an accounting firm.

After you have successfully completed your exams and gained CFP certification, you will be ready to become an accountant in South Africa. To do this, you need to complete three years of training under a practicing accountant who is registered as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). This experience is valuable because it will give you hands-on experience in the field while helping your employer to get more clients.

In addition to getting paid well during this period, there are some other factors that should factor into which accounting firm or company you choose. For example:

• How long has the company been operating? If they have been around for less than five years then how many people have been employed there? The longer they’ve been around and the more employees they have on staff means they are likely doing something right!
• Does their work atmosphere seem like one where employees feel valued by management? Are people happy when they come into work every day or do things tend toward grumpy dissatisfaction? Do employees feel like their opinions matter when decisions are being made about management policies?

It’s also important to consider what kind of training opportunities exist at each job site – does each trainee get personal attention from experienced CPAs or does everyone just sit at home all day with no supervision whatsoever? These questions may seem trivial but if answered correctly can mean big things down road.”

Step 4. Apply for a license to practice from the SAICA.

After you’ve completed your studies and passed the required exams, it’s time to apply for a license from the SAICA. You’ll need to complete professional ethics and conduct courses as well as further education in taxation. This process can take up to six months, so make sure you start it before you finish your studies!

Once you’ve been licensed by the SAICA and have been practicing for two years without any major disciplinary issues, it’s time to move on up in accounting-land: from trainee accountant (the official term) to associate accountant (which is how most people refer to this position).

Closing

So there you have it. We’ve covered how to become an accountant in South Africa and what steps you need to take. The process is not easy but with hard work, dedication and perseverance, anyone can make it happen!