Pathways to becoming
a Member, Associate or AffiliateBeing a SAIPA member, associate and affiliate
Being a SAIPA member, associate and affiliate means that you qualify through a rigorous education and assessment process that keeps you relevant and ahead in the world of work.
When it comes to accountancy, there is no designation that is superior to another.
Professional Accountant (SA)
Depending on your educational and experience background, you can take different pathways to gain or earn entry to the Professional Accountant (SA) designation.
1. Standard
To qualify as a Professional Accountant (SA), an individual needs to comply with all the academic, practical and Professional Evaluation (PE) requirements.
1.1.Academic requirements
Successfully complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree (or equivalent) with the following required core subjects from a SAIPA-accredited tertiary institution:
- Financial Accounting 3
- Taxation 1
- Auditing 1 / Internal Auditing 2 / Internal Control and Code of Ethics
- Corporate Law 1 / Commercial Law 2
- Management Accounting / Financial Management
1.2 Practical requirements
- Complete a three-year learnership at a SAIPA Accredited Training Centre (ATC), or
- provide evidence of at least six years of verifiable experience (RPL), or
- provide evidence of a completed training programme (articles) from another professional accounting body accredited by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
2. Reciprocity agreements
Formal arrangements with leading accounting bodies around the world enable SAIPA members to gain international credentials and allow members of other accounting bodies to gain SAIPA membership. Several professional bodies have partnered with SAIPA on special membership pathway arrangements. SAIPA may also recognise in full or part the programmes of other professional bodies as listed at https://www.saipa.co.za/become-a-member/saipa-affiliates-reciprocal-agreement/
3. Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Candidates who have acquired sufficient technical knowledge and practical competencies can qualify as a Professional Accountant (SA) through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. The RPL process considers work experience and skills gained before, during or after academic studies, and both formal and informal learning is measured, mediated for recognition, and certified against the SAIPA Competency Framework.
Additional optional specialisations available for a Professional Accountant (SA)
A Professional Accountant (SA) can also apply for the following:
- Professional Tax Practitioner (SA)
- Professional Tax Specialist (SA)
- Business Advisor (SA)
- Independent Reviewer
- Business Rescue
- Retired Membership
- Registration as a SARS Tax Practitioner
Please ensure that you have the required documents/information before you submit your application,
Associates and Affiliates
SAIPA offers a range of other reputable professional accounting and business designations from a foundational to a strategic level of accounting, tax and business advisory competence.
All SAIPA designations are underpinned by the SAIPA Code of Professional Conduct and life-long learning/ continuous professional development (CPD) to ensure the highest level of professionalism, discipline and value-creation.
Become a Professional Accountant (SA) and enjoy unlimited opportunities.
The Professional Accountant (SA) designation prepares you for a life-long, rewarding career with unlimited potential. A Professional Accountant (SA) is your gateway to a world of exciting opportunities.
The value of the Professional Accountant (SA) designation is increasingly recognized in Ireland and other countries. As a Professional Accountant (SA) , you have many career choices – multiple opportunities in many roles and in all sectors of the economy, at home and abroad.
Work in any sector
Every organization needs an accountant. Every tech startup, financial institution, entertainment company, non-profit, government agency – everyone – needs the skills you can provide as a Professional Accountant (SA). You have the widest range of opportunities, so you can choose the environment that you want to work in. Regardless of your industry sector, your job is to be a forward-thinking financial leader and to apply the knowledge you’ve gained from the Professional Accountant (SA) designation to make important financial and business decisions.
Think globally
Professional Accountant (SA)s are in demand in countries such as Ireland and more. This, means that a Professional Accountant (SA) could be your opportunity to travel, work and consult around the world.
Please ensure that you have the required documents/information before you submit your application,
Find your niche
With the Professional Accountant (SA) competencies, you can specialize in the area that most interests you. You could work in Public Practice, Commerce and Industry, Government/Public Sector, Education institutions and other Non-profit organisations or be self-employed. Economic, industrial, and technological developments have resulted in several specialized fields in accounting, and a Professional Accountant (SA) designation can help you along your chosen path.
Specialties include:
- financial accounting and reporting
- financial analysis and treasury/cash management
- financial forensics
- business valuation
- management accounting
- assurance services
- taxation
- public accounting
- non-profit accounting
- forensic accounting
- It consulting