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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION: 
CA (SA) - Chartered Accountant (South Africa) 
DESIGNATION ID DESIGNATION TITLE
8  CA (SA) - Chartered Accountant (South Africa) 
PROFESSIONAL BODY DESIGNATION STATUS
SAICA - South African Institute of Chartered Accountants  Reregistered 
SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
SAQA 166/22  2022-05-10  2027-05-09 


DESCRIPTION:
Chartered Accountants (CAs) are responsible leaders who behave ethically in an organisation's value creation process. The primary role of a CA(SA) is to prepare meaningful information to stakeholders and interpret, analyse and evaluate such information for impactful decision-making. A CA(SA) should demonstrate ethical behaviour, professional competence and the potential for responsible leadership and value creation. 
AWARDING CRITERIA
For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Degree at NQF Level 7 (accredited by SAICA for CA(SA) purposes).
  • Bachelor of Accounting Science Honours at NQF Level 8; or
    Postgraduate Accounting qualification at NQF Level 8. 
    		•
    Experiential Learning or Experience
    Complete a minimum of a three-year training contract (learnership) with an organisation (training office) accredited by SAICA for this purpose. 
    Competency Assessment
    SAICA requires successful completion of two qualifying examinations, namely the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) and the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). SAICA sets and administers both exams.
  • The Initial Test of Competence (ITC)
    To qualify for entry to the ITC, candidates must have passed the accredited postgraduate qualification. This qualification is valid for three calender years for purposes of admission to the exam. There are two examination opportunities per year for the ITC, namely in January and June of each year. It means candidates have a maximum of six attempts at the ITC.
  • The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)
    For members to qualify for entry to the APC, a candidate must have:
  • Passed the ITC,
  • Completed a minimum of 20 months of a registered training contract with an accredited training office,; and
  • Completed a professional programme with a SAICA accreidted provider.
    The professional programme remains valid for three consecutive years. It means that the members must pass the APC within those three years; otherwise, the candidate will have to complete the a professional programme again. 
    		•
    Designation RPL Statement
    This Designation may be awarded through Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    RETAINING CRITERIA
    In order to ensure the currency of professional knowledge and to retain the Professional Designation, the professional must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
    Code of Conduct
    Members must adhere to the Professional Body Codes of Conduct and Ethics. 
    Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
    All SAICA members and associates are required to:
  • Undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development activities on an annual basis.
  • Follow an output-based measurement approach to Continuing Professional Development by demonstrating the maintenance and development of relevant competence by generating an annual Continuing Professional Development reflective plan.
    Keep a record of the completed Continuing Professional Development reflective plan for a period of the most recent three calendar years.Submit a Continuing Professional Development reflective plan to SAICA when required to do so through SAICA's monitoring process.Submit an annual declaration to SAICA reporting on compliance with the Continuing Professional Development policy. 
    		•
    Fees
    Ensure that the annual membership fee is paid. 


    PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRESSION PATHWAY
    (The Designation being reported on here is shown in italics.)

    Sequence Designation ID Designation Title
    1981MAT(SA) - Member Accounting Technicians (SA)
    2983PSMAT(SA) - Public Sector Member Accounting Technicians (SA)
    38CA (SA) - Chartered Accountant (South Africa)


    PROFESSIONAL BODY WEB ADDRESS:
    For more information on this Professional Designation, please visit www.saica.co.za