How to become a Professional Tax Practitioner (SA)

If you have excellent time management skills, can communicate well with people, and like the potential of being self-employed or being employed by SARS, then being a Professional Tax Practitioner (SA) could be right up your alley. You will also be in demand as South Africa is facing a shortage of tax practitioners, making this career path fit into the scarce skill category. As you know, scarce skills make for bigger earnings so it is a wise option if you want to help the country and be prosperous at the same time. Fortunately, SAIPA has a Centre of Tax Excellence (CoTE) for tax practitioners who want to specialise in the field of taxation and obtain higher standards of distinction.

What do Professional Tax Practitioners (SA) do?

Professional Tax Practitioners (SA) can perform all the services offered by a Professional Tax Technician (SA) as well as register all tax types, prepare and file tax returns for individuals as well as all types of businesses, prepare and file employee returns, and prepare and file VAT returns.

How do I qualify for this Certification?

You can qualify if you obtained a three-year Bachelor degree with Tax as a major subject and at least Accounting 3, have three years of verifiable practical experience in a tax environment, and pass the CoTE Professional Tax Examination. In addition to this, a member in good standing who holds the Professional Accountant (SA) designation may apply to qualify for the Professional Tax Practitioner (SA) certification without writing the examination.

If you are a student and you want to find out more about the Accounting Technician (SA) designation, you can do so by becoming a student member of SAIPA. As a student member, you will have direct access to technical knowledge and support from qualified accountants. Our Centre of Tax Excellence is yours to use for all academic-related queries.