Unisa Chartered Accountant
The field of accounting offers a lot of opportunities and chartered accountancy is one of the most highly sought-after career paths.
This esteemed qualification proves expertise in financial matters and opens doors to leadership roles in various sectors.
If you’re a South African citizen aspiring to become a chartered accountant and considering Unisa (University of South Africa) for your studies, this article is for you.
Who is a Chartered Accountant?
A Chartered Accountant (CA) is a qualified professional accountant who has met the intense academic and practical training requirements set by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
CAs possess a deep understanding of financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and business advisory services.
They are highly sought-after by businesses of all sizes, government institutions, and non-profit organizations.
What do I need to study to become a Chartered Accountant at Unisa?
Unisa provides accredited undergraduate degrees and postgraduate qualifications in accounting, which are essential steps towards becoming a CA(SA).
To become a Chartered Accountant, you will need to enroll for the Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree offered by Unisa.
After that, you will need to complete a training programme from another accredited professional accounting body such as SAICA.
How Many Years to Study Chartered Accountant in South Africa?
The path to becoming a Chartered Accountant takes seven years. This includes:
- Three years to complete a SAICA-accredited BCom degree in Accounting (like the one offered by Unisa).
- One year for an honors degree or postgraduate diploma in Accounting (such as the PGDipAcc at Unisa).
- Three years of practical experience through a training contract with a SAICA-accredited training office. This allows you to gain valuable on-the-job experience while completing the theoretical knowledge acquired at Unisa.
What is the Best Degree for a Chartered Accountant?
The best degree for aspiring chartered accountants is a SAICA-accredited BCom in Accounting.
Unisa’s BCom in Accounting equips you with a strong theoretical grounding in accounting principles, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and business law.
These fundamentals are essential for succeeding in the postgraduate qualification stage and the following assessments by SAICA.
What are the Requirements for Chartered Accountant Program at Unisa?
To pursue an accounting qualification at Unisa that lays the groundwork for becoming a CA(SA), you’ll need to meet the university’s specific admission requirements.
These usually include:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s degree pass (or equivalent qualification).
- Meeting the minimum subject and achievement level requirements for the chosen BCom program (these vary depending on the program).
- Completing the Unisa application process and submitting all necessary documents.
Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree at Unisa, you can progress to a postgraduate qualification in Accounting that is accredited by SAICA.
This postgraduate qualification, along with the required practical training, will prepare you for the final Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) administered by SAICA.
Passing the APC is the final step towards obtaining your CA(SA) designation.