📚 YOUR GO-TO GUIDE
"A dream written down becomes a goal. A goal broken into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action becomes reality."
- Let’s turn your dream of becoming a CA into your reality!
1. What Does a Chartered Accountant (CA) Do?
✅ Manages money for businesses, big and small.
✅ Audits companies to make sure they are financially honest.
✅ Gives professional financial advice.
✅ Helps CEOs and governments make powerful decisions.
✅ Earns an excellent salary, with high respect worldwide!
2. Subjects You Need in School (Grade 10–12)
Make sure you choose these subjects:
- Mathematics (Core – not Mathematical Literacy) — Essential!
- Accounting (Highly recommended, but not compulsory)
- English (Strong language skills are important for communication.)
🎯 Tip: Even if you didn’t take Accounting, you can still apply if your Maths marks are strong!
3. Pathway After Matric: How to Become a CA(SA)
Step | What You Do | How Long? |
---|---|---|
1️⃣ | Study a BCom Accounting / CA-stream degree | 3 years |
2️⃣ | Complete a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) | 1 year |
3️⃣ | Complete a Training Contract ("Articles") at an accredited company | 3 years |
4️⃣ | Pass two qualifying board exams (ITC and APC) | During your articles |
🌟 After you pass everything, you earn the title CA(SA) = Chartered Accountant (South Africa)!
4. Top Universities to Study Accounting (CA Stream)
University | Course |
---|---|
University of Cape Town (UCT) | BCom Accounting |
University of Witwatersrand (Wits) | BAccSci |
University of Pretoria (UP) | BCom Accounting Sciences |
Stellenbosch University | BAcc |
University of Johannesburg (UJ) | BCom Accounting |
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | BCom Accounting |
North-West University (NWU) | BCom Chartered Accountancy |
Rhodes University | BCom Accounting |
🎯 Important:
Make sure the degree is SAICA-accredited (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) if you want to become a CA.
5. How to Apply for Scholarships / Bursaries
Here are powerful bursaries that help future CAs:
Bursary | Link |
---|---|
Thuthuka Bursary Fund (for future CAs) | Apply here |
SAICA Bursary | Apply here |
FASSET Bursary (Finance and Accounting Services SETA) | Apply here |
PwC Bursary (for accounting students) | Apply here |
Deloitte Bursary | Apply here |
EY (Ernst & Young) Bursary | Apply here |
📢 Tip: Thuthuka is one of the BEST bursaries — it covers fees, accommodation, and support if you are a black South African student from a financially needy background!
6. Step-by-Step Career Plan
🎯 Grade 10–12:
- Work hard on Maths!
- Aim for 60%+ for university entrance and 70%+ for bursaries.
- Get involved in leadership activities — it builds your CV.
🎯 Grade 12:
- Apply to at least 3 universities and 3 bursaries.
- Get familiar with basic financial terms (watch YouTube videos about Accounting/Business).
🎯 University:
- Focus on your BCom/Accounting Degree.
- Build connections by joining accounting societies and clubs.
- Start thinking about where you want to do your articles (KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, EY, etc.)
🎯 Postgraduate:
- After your degree, do your CTA year (Certificate in Theory of Accounting).
- It’s tough — but absolutely necessary!
🎯 Training & Board Exams:
- Do 3 years of training while working.
- Pass your ITC and APC exams.
- Then you can finally call yourself a CA(SA)!
7. Real Motivation: Why You Should Start Today
✔️ Chartered Accountants are among the Top 5 highest-paid professionals in South Africa.
✔️ 80% of CFOs (Chief Financial Officers) in JSE-listed companies are CAs(SA).
✔️ Once you qualify, you can work in any industry — finance, mining, health, tech, even start your own business!
✔️ It’s not about being the smartest — it's about being committed and disciplined.
8. Recommended FREE Resources to Start Learning Now
- SAICA Website — Learn everything about becoming a CA.
- AccountingCoach — Free accounting lessons online.
- Coursera (Financial Accounting courses) — Great free/cheap online accounting courses.
"Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently."
Becoming a CA(SA) is a journey of discipline, patience, and excellence.
You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to be a genius. You just have to start — and never stop pushing yourself!
🎯 Your first step?
Open a university application today. Apply for one bursary today.
Small steps create a BIG life.
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