Choosing a profession constitutes the right pathway to getting the best education. With the right guidance and tools, you have the chance to advance in your job career.
When we talk about accountants, there are so many of them, but what makes an accountant unique lies with job experience, education and knowledge. But the beginning of all this starts with studying at the right institution and the right course.
The pathway to becoming a chartered accountant is through UNISA. The University of South Africa, being one of the best universities in the world, has great tutors and resources to support individuals who look to charter in accounting.
UNISA is known for its inclusive approach to education, which means that it warmly welcomes students looking to study chartered accounting, enabling them to become better.
The institution is dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering innovation.
In this article, we will focus on how to become a chartered accountant, the qualification and what it involves.
What do chartered accountants do?
Are you planning to study accounting at the university? Do you wish to progress to advance in your accounting by being chartered? Does the work of a chartered accountant inspire you?
If you find yourself pondering these questions, then it is important to know and understand what chartered accountants do.
The modern Chartered Accountant has a wide range of opportunities in today’s ever-changing global landscape. They can take on various roles, such as corporate leadership, management accountant, business analyst, or sales management.
Chartered accountants are professionals who work in various fields of finance, such as auditing, taxation, financial planning, and management consulting.
Chartered accountants have the responsibility of ensuring that financial records are kept accurately. Their responsibilities include overseeing bookkeeping, preparing financial statements, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations. To get a clear understanding of your finances, it’s important to keep track of your income, expenses, and assets.
Chartered accountants play a crucial role in auditing. They are responsible for carefully examining and validating financial statements to ensure their accuracy and adherence to legal regulations. Having their expertise is crucial because it adds credibility to financial information and helps in identifying fraud or mismanagement. Chartered accountants are highly adaptable professionals who assist businesses and individuals in navigating the intricate realm of finance. These professionals offer important financial advice, keep precise records, and make sure that all regulations are followed. Ultimately, they play a key role in helping their clients achieve financial well-being and success.
How to become a chartered accountant at Unisa
Becoming a chartered accountant begins with choosing the right university. If you find yourself studying chartered accounting at UNISA, then you have made the right choice.
To become a chartered accountant, you must apply to UNISA for admission. This is the first step in fulfilling your dreams of being a chartered accountant.
The roadmap to becoming a chartered accountant at UNISA begins when you understand the qualifications and requirements set by individuals.
There are three major approaches to becoming a chartered accountant.
The first step is to apply and obtain a qualification within the scope of accounting. This gives you the fundamental knowledge of what accounting entails. Also, obtaining this qualification as the first step gives you another platform for furthering your education.
The next step is to complete a leadership programme at UNISA. When someone participates in a leadership programme, they go through structured training and gain practical experience in a particular industry or occupation. Usually, it involves a specific period of time where learners gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The programme consists of mentorship, coursework, and assessments that are used to measure progress. Learnerships typically end with a formal evaluation, which could be an exam or a project, to showcase the learner’s proficiency in their chosen field.
The last approach certifies you to become a chartered accountant. It is more of the final lapse in securing your job career as a complete chartered accountant. With UNISA, you have the right resources to educate yourself. With this, you must complete two professional assessments set up by The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). These two assessment includes initial tests of competence(ITC) and assessment of professional competence(APC).
The ITC is meant to test how well people know the basics of accounting and auditing. To move on to the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), you have to pass the ITC.
The APC is the second of the last two exams for professionals. It tests candidates’ actual skills, like how well they can use what they know in real-world situations. To become a Chartered Accountant, you need to pass the APC at UNISA.
What qualifications do I need to be a chartered accountant?
The qualification to becoming a chartered accountant also lies with the approach. If you are considering a future as a chartered accountant, here are the qualifications you need to have.
- Obtain undergraduate certification in accounting or a closely related field.
- Obtain a postgraduate certificate through the South African Institute of Chartered Accounting.
- Gain at least 3 or more years of working experience in the accounting field or take an internship program with a SAICA-accredited office.
- Complete the two main exams, which are the Initial Test of Competence and Assessment of Professional Competence.
How many years is CA at Unisa?
Getting the CA at UNISA involves studying through the undergraduate level, taking an internship for a period and progressing to obtain a postgraduate certificate in chartered accounting.
Getting a full CA at UNISA covers between 6 to 7 years. This involves completing your 3-year degree, completing a year honours course and taking an internship.
What is the difference between a CTA and a CA?
The key distinction between a Certified in Theory of Accounting (CTA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA) is found in their qualifications and professional status. A Certified Technical Accountant (CTA) usually indicates that someone has a solid understanding of accounting principles and concepts, but they may not have as much hands-on experience and expertise as a Chartered Accountant (CA).
On the other hand, a Chartered Accountant (CA) is a highly skilled accountant who has undergone extensive training, successfully cleared challenging exams, and acquired valuable hands-on experience. Chartered Accountants (CA) are frequently given more authority to approve financial statements and offer a broader array of financial services. This increased responsibility and expertise make them highly esteemed and trusted within the accounting field.
