To become a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, you usually need an accredited accounting degree, a postgraduate qualification that meets the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) requirements, two professional assessments and a training contract. Allow about seven years after school in a common full-time route: three years for an undergraduate degree, one for postgraduate study and three in training.

That is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed finish date. You can take longer if you need to repeat a subject, cannot find a training contract or have to reschedule an assessment. The route below explains what to check before enrolling, how the exams and workplace training fit together, and where the costs can catch you off guard.

How to become a Chartered Accountant in South Africa

The standard route combines university study, SAICA assessments and supervised workplace training. Completing a general accounting degree alone does not qualify you to use the CA(SA) designation.

Start by checking that the degree you want is accredited by SAICA for the route you plan to follow. Accreditation matters because SAICA sets the academic requirements for entry to its professional assessments. A degree with “accounting” in its name is not automatically an accredited CA route.

After the undergraduate degree, you normally complete an accredited postgraduate programme that meets SAICA’s requirements. It is often called a CTA, although universities may use names such as Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting. Check the exact programme and entry rules with both the university and SAICA before accepting an offer.

You then complete the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) and the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), subject to their eligibility rules. The ITC tests technical knowledge. The APC assesses how you apply professional judgement to complex work situations. They are separate assessments, not two names for the same exam.

You also need a SAICA-accredited training contract with an approved training office. The usual contract runs for three years, with workplace competencies recorded and assessed during that period. Passing exams without completing the required training does not make you a CA(SA), and finishing a contract does not excuse an assessment you have not passed.

How long does the CA(SA) route take?

Plan on roughly seven years after school if you pass each academic stage and assessment on schedule. The usual outline is three years for a bachelor’s degree, one year for postgraduate study and three years of training, although some students take a different academic route or combine study and work differently.

Timelines depend on your university’s programme structure, your results, exam eligibility and the training office’s requirements. A failed module or assessment can add a year or more, particularly if it affects entry to the next stage. Finding a contract can also take time, so do not assume you will move straight from graduation into paid training.

Ask each university for its current programme map and ask SAICA to confirm the route’s assessment requirements. Before you enrol, check which postgraduate programmes accept graduates from that degree and what marks they require. This can prevent an expensive surprise after three years of study.

There are other routes for people who already hold qualifications or have prior experience, but their credit and assessment requirements depend on the individual’s record. Do not assume that an overseas accounting qualification, a non-accredited degree or years in a finance job will automatically count. Ask SAICA for a route assessment before paying for further study.

What do the ITC, APC and training contract involve?

The ITC is a national professional assessment taken after the required academic preparation. It checks whether you can apply accounting knowledge across areas such as financial reporting, auditing, taxation and management accounting. Your postgraduate programme prepares you for the assessment, but passing it still requires sustained exam preparation.

The APC focuses on professional competence: analysing a case, identifying relevant risks, making a defensible recommendation and communicating it clearly. Candidates complete the required professional programme and must meet SAICA’s eligibility conditions. Confirm the current timing and entry rules directly with SAICA, because assessment arrangements can change.

A training contract is structured workplace learning, not simply a graduate job with an accounting title. You work under an approved training office and build the competencies required for the profession. Audit firms are a familiar option, but approved training offices can also operate in commerce and industry. Check that a prospective employer is approved for the route you intend to take.

Competition for contracts can be strong, and employers set their own selection criteria. Apply to several accredited offices, including firms outside the largest audit networks, and check whether each offers the type of training you want. Before signing, read the contract’s clauses on study leave, exam fees, repayment of costs if you leave early and what happens if you fail an assessment.

How much does it cost to qualify?

There is no single total cost: university tuition, accommodation, textbooks, assessment fees and lost earnings vary by institution and personal circumstances. Fees change, so use each university’s official fee schedule and SAICA’s assessment information for the figures that apply at the time you apply.

For a simple planning illustration, say tuition and required study costs average R60,000 a year for four years. That gives R240,000 before accommodation, transport, food, repeat modules or professional assessment costs. This is an example for budgeting, not a quoted South African average or a current fee.

Accommodation can be the larger cost for a student who moves to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or another university city. Compare the full annual cost of staying at home, living in a residence and renting privately. Ask what is included in a residence charge, and budget separately for transport, meals and study materials where necessary.

NSFAS support may be available to eligible students at approved public institutions, subject to its rules and funding decisions. Check the NSFAS homepage for current eligibility and application information. If you are considering a private institution or other funding, confirm that the programme is accepted for the CA(SA) route before committing money.

A training office may cover some professional costs or provide study leave, but terms differ. Get the details in writing rather than treating an employer’s general recruitment promise as a guaranteed benefit. A missed detail here can leave you paying assessment or tuition costs while earning a trainee salary.

What can a trainee earn, and what happens after qualifying?

Trainee pay varies by employer, location, year of training and market conditions, so compare actual offers rather than relying on a single national figure. Ask whether the stated amount is gross monthly pay, whether study support is included and how salary changes as you progress through the contract.

For example, if an offer is R20,000 gross a month, that is R240,000 gross over 12 months before deductions. It is not the amount you take home, and it does not account for rent, transport or study costs. Use the employer’s written offer and a current SARS tax calculator to estimate take-home pay; tax depends on your full circumstances.

After qualifying, CA(SA)s work in audit, financial reporting, tax, corporate finance, risk, consulting and senior finance roles. Employers include audit firms and large South African businesses such as banks, retailers and listed companies. The qualification can open doors, but it does not guarantee a particular salary, job title or promotion.

If your main goal is to become a professional accountant as quickly as possible, compare the full CA(SA) route with other recognised accounting designations before choosing a degree. A different designation may suit work in bookkeeping or management accounting, while CA(SA) training is designed for a broader professional route. Check the relevant body’s requirements and the roles you want before deciding.

How to choose a university and training office

Choose an accredited degree based on the route’s academic requirements, the university’s support and the total cost of studying there. Compare module prerequisites, how the programme handles students who need to repeat a subject, and whether postgraduate places are competitive. A lower first-year fee is not a bargain if the route does not meet the professional requirements you need.

If you are still at school, focus on the admission requirements for the universities you are considering, especially mathematics and language requirements. These differ between institutions and can change, so confirm them on the university’s own admissions pages. If your marks are short, ask whether a bridging or extended programme can lead to an accredited route.

If you already have a degree, send SAICA your qualification details and ask what academic gaps remain before you apply for another programme. This is more useful than enrolling in a postgraduate course first and hoping it will count. Keep written confirmation of the route advice and the programme’s accreditation status.

Before accepting a training contract, compare the training office’s accreditation, client work, study support and contract terms. Ask how often trainees receive study leave, who pays assessment fees and whether you owe the employer money if you resign or do not pass. A larger firm may offer a formal study structure, while a smaller office may provide different client exposure; the better choice depends on the support and work you need.

CA(SA) study and training can affect your finances and employment choices. This is general information, so a tax practitioner or the relevant professional body can advise on your own circumstances.

Your next step should be to shortlist three SAICA-accredited undergraduate programmes, then compare their current fees, entry requirements and progression to postgraduate study before applying.