How to become a CA

What is a Chartered Accountant?
The ultimate qualification within the accountancy profession is that of a Chartered Accountant (CA). Chartered Accountants are very analytical; systematic; logical; have the ability to work quickly and accurately with numbers; and are team players with leadership abilities. They are entrusted with highly confidential information and their personal integrity and honesty must be beyond question.

A CA performs a wide variety of functions, but essentially works on behalf of a company in the fields of:

  • Auditing/assurance
  • Taxation
  • Advisory
  • Secretarial and accounting services
  • Information Technology
  • Corporate Finance
  • Financial Management
  • Management Accounting
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Insolvency
What are the career opportunities available for Chartered Accountants?
CA’s can choose to work in a number of fields:
  • Auditing firm
  • Commerce and Industry
  • Be an entrepreneur
  • Academics world – lecturer
  • Government
Many Chief Executive Officers (CEO's), Chief Financial Officers (CFO's) and Directors of South Africa's top businesses are trained as Chartered Accountants!

What are the benefits of becoming a Chartered Accountant?
Some of the Career benefits are:
  • Top Salaries
  • Job security
  • Many and varied employment opportunities
  • International recognition
  • Ability to go on overseas secondments
  • Flexibility and the opportunity to achieve a work/life balance
  • Ongoing training and qualifications
What can I do?
  • Get interested in your studies and strive to be the best
  • Understand the changing business world
  • Get involved
  • Vacation work
  • Apply for a bursary and/or training contract early on in your studies
  • Never stop learning and read widely
  • Remember, our future leaders emerge from the crowd!!
What do I need to study to become a Chartered Accountant?
  • You should have a matriculation exemption certificate with a satisfactory pass in Mathematics. Accountancy is recommended but not compulsory.
  • Enrol at a South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) accredited university for a BComm / BAcc / BBusSc or equivalent degree culminating in CTA (Certificate in Theory of Accounting).
  • The CTA/Hons is a year-long course focusing on Accounting, Financial Management, Auditing and Taxation, and all four subjects need to be written and passed in the same year.
  • Upon completion of your CTA you would train with a Registered Training Office (RTO) like PricewaterhouseCoopers, for 3 years. This is called "Articles" or a "Training Contract".
  • Whilst training, you need to write and pass the Qualifying Examination (QE) and the Public Practice Examination (PPE).
  • Once you have passed both exams you would register with SAICA as a CA(SA).

How can PricewaterhouseCoopers help me to qualify as a CA?
We offer Bursaries , Vacation Employment and Training Contracts to students who are studying towards a CA qualification. Read more about these as well as our Job Shadowing and Business Orientation Programmes .