At That Point
  • home
  • about us
  • our services
  • our work
  • your resources
  • SA Industry News

Recruiters, know your accountants in 2021

19/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Authored by:  Karl Smith, Education, Training and Membership Manager at the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)
 
If you’re a professional recruiter and a client asks you to source an accountant, you might immediately think of a CA. Or perhaps they specifically request a CA because they’re unfamiliar with the various accountancy designations.
 
However, not all accountants are CAs. There are many other designations in the accountancy profession, each signifying a specialisation or range of expertise.
 
Recruiters who know and source the right designations will match their clients with the type of accountants best suited to the position on offer.
 
Professional bodies
South Africa is home to several professional bodies which, in the accountancy field, are called professional accountancy organisations (PAOs). The designation an accountant holds depends on which PAO they are a member of. Below is a list of the main bodies and a short description of their popular designations, which are also registered on the SAQA database.
 
SAIPA (South African Institute of Professional Accountants)
Professional Accountant (SA) – SAIPA’s signature designation – performs all accountancy duties except signing off public financial statements and independent audits but including independent reviews.
 
After obtaining a SAIPA-approved degree, graduates who wish to become a Professional Accountant (SA), must complete three years of practical training at a SAIPA Approved Training Centre (ATC).
 
The designation is well positioned to provide accountancy services and strategic business advice to SMMEs and large organisations alike.  In recognition of the need for excellence in business advisory to stimulate economic growth, the Institute has established a Centre of Business Advisory (CoBA). Both members and non-members who qualify may gain access to the Centre.
 
Professional Tax Specialist (SA), Professional Tax Practitioner (SA) – Because of the complexity of the processes and laws related to tax, these designations specialise in providing the full range of tax services. In addition, Professional Tax Specialists perform higher-level duties, such as writing tax opinions, mediating tax disputes and representing tax payers in court.
 
At the time of writing, SAIPA is celebrating 40 years of dedicated service to the accountancy profession, distinguishing it from newer bodies and those administered on a part-time basis.
 
Website: www.saipa.co.za
 
SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants)
CA(SA) - A Chartered Accountant can perform all accountancy functions. In addition, as a Registered Auditor (RA) with the IRBA (see below), only a CA can legally carry out an independent audit of an organisation’s financial compliance and give professional assurance of its public financial statements.
 
Website: www.saica.co.za

IRBA (Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors)
RA (Registered Auditor) – By law, many organisations – especially those listed on the JSE – must be audited annually for financial compliance by a qualified independent professional. Only Registered Auditors, who must be CAs, may perform this function.
 
Website: www.irba.co.za
 
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
ACCA (Associated Chartered Certified Accountant) – This designation aims for the broadest set of skills across different sectors and can perform all accounting duties. Unlike their UK counterparts, South African ACCA members cannot sign off public financial statements or perform independent audits.
 
Website: www.accaglobal.com/za/en.html
 
CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
ACMA (Associate Chartered Management Accountant) – Whereas financial accountants assess the value of past business, management accountants use financial data for planning and forecasting. They therefore facilitate strategic decision-making and help business leaders improve corporate performance.
 
Website: www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/Africa/South-Africa
 
IAC (Institute of Accounting and Commerce)
FAC (Financial Accountant in Commerce), FAP (Financial Accountant in Practice) and IAP (Independent Accounting Professional) – These designations focus on the preparation of financial statements, the duties of an accounting officer and performing independent reviews, respectively, in support of Section 29 of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008.
 
Website: www.iacsa.co.za
 
SAIGA (South African Institute of Government Auditors)
RGA (Registered Government Auditor) – The RGA offers the same impartial assurance and compliance services to the public sector that the CA does to the private sector. This includes independent auditing of government entities and professional assurance on the validity of their financial statements.
 
Website: www.saiga.co.za
 
SAIT (South African Institute of Tax Professionals)
GTP SA (General Tax Practitioner), MTP SA (Master Tax Practitioner) - Tax laws and processes are so complex that some accountants specialise exclusively in this area. General Tax Practitioners offer general tax services while Master Tax Practitioners must have 10 years experience with appropriate qualifications.
 
Website: www.thesait.org.za
 
IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa)
PIA (Professional Internal Auditor), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) – Internal auditors do the same work as a CA but from inside an organisation. They are employed or engaged to ensure the organisation remains compliant and their financial statements are correct before an independent audit takes place. Of course, they must be competent accountants to assume this role.
 
Website: www.iiasa.org.za
 
The right accountant
Apart from independent audits, all accountants are qualified to perform every other accountancy duty. However, specialists have greater experience in one area while other designations offer better experience over a range of services.
 
Knowing the experience profile of the different designations will help recruiters identify the most suitable accountant for a position. For this, their clients will be most grateful.

ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephné du Toit, 084 587 9933, stephne@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SAIPA please visit:
Website: www.saipa.co.za
Twitter: @SAIPAcomms
LinkedIn: South African Institute of Professional Accountants Company
Facebook: South African Institute of Professional Accountants
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Welcome to the SAIPA newsroom. For releases prior to August 2014 please click here.

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    2014/15 Tax Filing Season
    2016 Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill
    21 February 2018
    4IR
    Accountability
    Accountancy
    Accountancy Revolution
    Accountants
    Accounting
    Accounting Ethics
    Accounting Institutions
    Accounting Integrity
    Accounting Standards
    Advice For Professional Accountants
    Africa
    Anti-corruption Pledge
    B-BBEEE
    Blockchain
    Bongani Coka
    Brian Purcell
    Bridging The Gap
    Budget 2015
    Budget 2016/17
    Budget Speech 2018
    Business
    Business Budget
    Business Rescue
    Cadre Formation
    Canabis Tax
    Carbon Tax
    Careers
    Centre For Tax Excellence
    CEO
    Code Of Ethics
    Companies Act
    Constitution
    Continuing Professional Development
    CoTE
    CPA Ireland
    CPD
    Cryptocurrencies
    Cryptocurrency
    Cyber Crime
    Cyber Security
    Cyril Ramaphosa
    Darren Gorton
    David Van Rooyen
    Davis Commission
    Debt
    Debt Intervention Bill
    Deloitte
    Department Of Basic Education
    Department Of Home Affairs
    Die Hoërskool DF Malan
    Different Types Of Accountants
    Doctoral
    Donation
    Economic Climate
    Economic Development
    Economic Growth
    Economic Instability
    Economy
    Education
    Empowerment
    Environment
    Estate Planning
    Ethics
    Ettiene Retief
    Exxcellence
    Faith Ngwenya
    Female Entrepreneurs
    FICA
    FICA Bill
    Finance Minister
    Financial Intelligence Centre Act
    Financial Statements
    Fiscus
    Foreign Trade
    Fraud
    Georgina Barrick
    Global Economy
    Global Ethics Day
    Government
    Government Institutions
    Grade 11
    Grade 12
    Grant Thornton
    Health Issues
    Honours Degree
    HSBC
    IFAC
    Infonomics
    Initial Coin Offerings
    International Business Report
    International Federation Of Accountants
    International Standard Of Review Engagements
    IRC Of SA
    Job Creation
    Job Losses
    Juane Cronje
    Kantha Naicker
    Karl Smith
    KPMG
    Kwa-Zulu Natal
    Large Business Centre
    LBC
    Learners
    Legal
    Malusi Gigaba
    Mandela Day
    Mark Kingon
    Marnus Broodryk
    Masters Degree
    Mathematics
    Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement
    Membership
    Mid-term Budget
    Mini Budget
    Moetapele Programme
    Momorandum Of Understanding
    Money Launderers
    Monitoring Females
    MTBPS
    NAO
    National Accounting And Maths Olympiad
    National Accounting Olympiad
    National Budget 2017
    National Consumer Tribunal
    National Credit Amendment Bill
    National Credit Regulator
    National Development Plan
    National Health
    National Imperatives
    National Tax Thesis
    NGO's
    NOCLAR
    Non-compliance
    Non-Compliance With Laws And Regulations
    Norton Rose Fullbright
    Obesity
    PAFA
    Pan African Federation Of Accountants
    Parilament
    Parliament
    Parliament’s Trade And Industry Committee
    Passenger Identity
    Paying Taxes Report 2018
    PE Exam
    Personal Details
    Personal Income Tax
    Phillip Joubert
    Pravin Gordhan
    Prem Govender
    Professional Accountants
    Professional Accountant (SA)
    Professional Accounting
    Professional Evaluation Exam
    Project Achiever
    Project Achiever Extended
    Protection Of Information
    Public Schools
    PWC
    Ragiema Thokan Mahomed
    Ragiema Thokan-Mahomed
    Rashied Small
    Repositioning
    Retirement Funding Reform
    SAIPA
    SAIPA Budget Breakfast
    SAIPA INdaba 2021
    SARS
    School
    School Learners
    Service Delivery
    Shahid Daniels
    Shahied Daniels
    Shirley Olsen
    Sibusiso Thungo
    Skills
    Skills Development
    Skills Retention Plan
    Skills Shortage
    SMEs
    South Africa
    South African
    South African Institute Of Professional Accountants
    South African Institute Of Professional Accountants
    South African Institute Of Tax Professionals
    South African Schools Act
    State Capture
    Struggling Economy
    Students
    Sugar Tax
    Sugary Drinks
    Sustainability
    Sustainibility
    Tax
    Tax & Accounting Thesis Competition
    Tax Administration Act
    Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill
    Taxation
    Tax Clearance Certificates
    Tax Compliance
    Tax Filing Season
    Tax Indaba 2016
    Tax Law
    Tax Ombud
    Tax Payers
    Tax Practitioner
    Tax Season
    Tax Thesis
    Tax Thesis Competition
    Technology
    Tertiary Education
    The Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (FIC
    Thesis/dissertations
    The South African Institute Of Professional Accountants
    The South African Revenue Service
    The Tax Administration Act
    Thomas Hoeppli
    Tom Mojane
    Transformation
    Treasury
    Trust
    Trusts
    UCT
    Unemployment
    University Of Cape Town
    Unrest
    Value Added Tax
    VAT
    Wealth Taxes
    Winslyn
    Women
    Women Empowerment
    Women's Month
    Workplace
    World Bank
    Xenophobia
    Youth
    Zobuzwe Ngobese

    RSS Feed

CONTACT US

office [at] atthatpoint [dot] co [dot] za
© COPYRIGHT 2022
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  • home
  • about us
  • our services
  • our work
  • your resources
  • SA Industry News