Chartered Accountant CA(SA)
Audit, report on and advise about company finances. One of South Africa's most respected and portable qualifications.
What the job involves
- Audit financial statements or manage company finances.
- Advise on tax, risk and business decisions.
- Move into financial management or executive roles.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- English
- Accounting
- Economics
- Business Studies
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 32–38 for a SAICA-accredited BCom Accounting
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 60–70%+
- English: 55%+
- Accounting: 60%+ where offered
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BCom Accounting (SAICA-accredited), then CTA/Honours3 + 1 years
Followed by three years of training contract (articles) and the SAICA ITC and APC board exams.
- Bridging via BCom General4 years
Some students complete a general commerce degree first and then a bridging programme into CTA.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R12 000 – R25 000 per month during articles
- Mid-career
- R55 000 – R90 000 per month newly qualified
- Senior
- R120 000 – R250 000+ per month (financial directors and partners)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Ucwaninga izimali zezinkampani. Kudinga iMathematics eqinile neminyaka yokuqeqeshwa.
Afrikaans: Oudit en bestuur maatskappyfinansies. Suiwer Wiskunde en klerkskap is nodig.