If you have a passion for numbers and for keeping order, you may be best suited to a career in the Finance/ Accounting sector.
In general, Accountants are responsible for the balancing of books, creation and finalizing of financial statements, and all-round management of an organization’s finances.
For those who are interested in the various pay scales within the Finance/ Accounting field, here is an estimate of what you can expect to earn (based on years of experience and the location of the job):
Auditor: R95 000 to R 530 000/ annum
General/ Operations Manager: R99 000 to R860 000/annum
Accountant: R110 000 to R390 000/annum
Senior Accountant: R115 000 to R472 000/annum
Internal Auditor: R120 000 to R458 000/ annum
Chartered Accountant: R150 000 to R780 000/annum
Financial Accountant: R156 000 to R500 000/annum
Management Accountant: R186 000 to R590 000/annum
Finance Manager: R216 000 to R795 000/annum
Financial Manager: R218 000 to R742 000/annum
Financial Director: R426 000 to R1 486 000/annum
Chief Financial Officer (CFO): R495 000 to R1 550 000/annum
Finance Director: R575 000 to R1 608 000/annum
As qualified Accountants are considered one of the “scarce skills” in South Africa, there are many large corporations seeking to help students gain qualifications into the finance field by way of a bursary programme.
Whether you intend on studying towards an accounting degree/ diploma/ certificate, here are a list of big companies offering accounting degrees and scholarships for South African students in need of financial assistance to complete their studies.
AUDITING BURSARIES FOR 2024 & 2024
Auditing is an on-site verification process, such as the examination or inspection of a quality system to ensure that it meets compliance requirements.
An Auditors main responsibility in a business is to ensure that all financial records are accurately kept by reviewing all transactions systematically. The business owners have the responsibility to ensure that their accounting books are maintained, which Auditors then annually look at.
Auditors are there to aid business owners in locating problems within their company. Once auditing is complete, the business will receive an audit report, explaining whether records were inaccurate, accurate, and/or missing.
There are 2 types of Auditors in business: internal and external Auditors. Internal Auditors are appointed by the business owner to conduct auditing, thus checking company goals and preventing financial flaws. Internal Auditors examine business management and operations, as well as update board members and shareholders on the company’s finances.
External auditing is auditing performed by a third party (e.g. SARS, insurance company, etc.). External audits may take a look at the business’ complete financial records or just various aspects of its operations. All reports done by external Auditors are compiled using auditing standards.
To become an Auditor, you will need to obtain a relevant qualification (it is advised to work via an institution that has been endorsed by the IIA as they may offer internship programs.) Internships are fantastic as they can introduce you to the practical world of auditing.
Next, you will need to become a member of a professional body (IIA SA brands), by doing this, you have an advantage as companies will want to employ branded professionals. You would then need to go through the IIA SA training program and then write the CIA exam/ specialty exam (if you wish to enhance your facilitation skills.)
Lastly, you would need to adhere to the IIA SA requirements in order to maintain the professional IIA SA designations.
If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in following, here are a list of Auditing bursaries to apply for:
- Breede Valley Municipality Bursary
- Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary
- Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary
- City of Cape Town Bursary
- City of Johannesburg Bursary
- Department of Tourism Bursary
- Drakenstein Municipality Bursary
- Garden Route District Municipality Bursary
- Gauteng Dept of Roads and Transport Bursary
- Hessequa Local Municipality Bursary
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary
- KwaDukuza Municipality Bursary
- KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursaries
- Land Bank Bursary
- Langeberg Municipality Bursary
- Limpopo Provincial Treasury Bursary
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- Musina Local Municipality Bursary
- North West Provincial Government Bursaries
- NUMSA Bursary
- Overberg District Municipality Bursary
- Overstrand Municipality Bursary
- Palabora Mining Company Bursary
- Prince Albert Municipality Bursary
- Public Investment Corporation (PIC) Bursary
- Rand Water Bursary
- Ratlou Local Municipality Bursary
- Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) Bursary
- Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Bursary
- Saldanha Bay Municipality Bursary
- SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-cdt) Bursary
- South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) Bursary
- Stellenbosch Municipality Bursary
- Swartland Municipality Bursary
- Tegkor/ Nelson Mandela University Bursary
- Theewaterskloof Municipality Bursary
- Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary
- Vhembe District Municipality Mayoral Bursary
- West Coast District Municipality Bursary
- Western Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary
CHARTERED ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2024 & 2024
An Accountant and a Chartered Accountant (CA) are very similar, and really only have a few differences. The best way to understand this is that a Chartered Accountant is an Accountant with more experience, thus they are given a title.
A Chartered Accountant has the responsibility to give financial advice, engage in auditing, and ensuring that financial records are secure and maintained.
Some duties of a Charted Accountant are taxation, auditing, financial reporting, corporate finance, forensic accounting, insolvency, business recovery, and/or accounting processes and systems. Charted Accountant’ work in a number of businesses, with the common goal to enhance profitability for their employer/ client.
To become a CA, you need to obtain excellent marks in Mathematics and Accounting in Matric. These will aid you in getting into a University where you would need to enroll for a Degree that is SAICA recognized to qualify to write a CTA.
Once your Degree is completed and if your marks are high enough, you can then qualify to complete CTA. Next, you will need to sign up with a Training office and start your Learnership, and thereafter, you will need to complete 2 board exams.
The first exam is the ITC (which you can write in 1 year after you pass your CTA) and then the APC. You will then become eligible after completing 18 months of your training contract. Upon successful completion of all of this, you will qualify as a Chartered Accountant!
If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in following, here are a list of Chartered Accounting bursaries to apply for:
- A2A Kopano Inc. Bursary
- A2A Kopano Inc. Bursary
- Auditor-General Bursary
- BDO South Africa Incorporated Bursary
- City of Cape Town Bursary
- Deloitte & Touche Bursary
- EY Bursary
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary
- Institute of Management Accounting and Strategy (IMAS) Bursary
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary
- KPMG Bursaries
- SAICA Thuthuka Bursary Fund
- Shoprite Bursaries
- SizweNtsalubaGobodo Bursary
- SNG Grant Thornton Bursary
- Tegkor/ Nelson Mandela University Bursary
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2024 & 2024
Financial accounting involves record keeping of a companies financial transactions. Transactions are recorded, summarised and thereafter presented in the form of a financial statement or financial report, such as a balance sheet or income statements.
- Barberton Mines Bursary
- Breede Valley Municipality Bursary
- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
- Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary
- Johannesburg Water Bursary
- Limpopo Provincial Treasury Bursary
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- Musina Local Municipality Bursary
- PG Group Bursary
- Rand Water Bursary
FINANCE & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BURSARIES FOR 2024 & 2024
Financial Manager are responsible for ensuring that the finances of their corporation run smoothly. Financial Managers work with their team to ensure that a business’ accounting, procedure financial report, profit projections, and cash-flow statements are coordinated. Financial managers help members of the business understand the reports by using their excellent (and mandatory) communication skills.
The main duties of a financial manager are to: ensure that there are enough funds within the organization, ensure shareholders receive a good return on investment, utilize funds efficiently, and ensure that there is a safe investment opportunity.
Financial managers are in charge of all the financial planning of the company, whereby they calculate the amount of capital the business needs and allocate it to its various, and necessary expenses. Financial management is vital to any company as it aids in financial, funds, asset, economic, and savings planning.
To become a Financial Manager, you will need a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Businesses Administration, or Economics. Many, successful finance managers have more than 5 years of work experience in other business/ financial occupations such as Accountant, Loan Officer, Securities, Auditor, Financial Analyst, or Sales Agent.
Some companies may offer students formal management training programmes, aiding them in becoming skilled Financial Managers and workers.
If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in following, here are a list of Finance & Financial Management bursaries to apply for:
- ABSA BMI Bursary
- Air Products South Africa (Pty) Limited Bursary
- Alfeco Bursary
- Altron Bill Venter Academy Bursary
- Astron Energy Bursary
- BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund
- Bester Bursary & Graduate Development Programme
- BEKA Schréder Bursary
- Black Mountain Study Trust Bursary
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary
- Cape Agulhas Municipality Bursary
- Capitec Bank Bursary
- Cederberg Municipality Bursary
- Cipla Bursary
- City of Johannesburg Bursary
- CSG Bursary
- dentsu SA Bursary
- Department of Correctional Services Bursary
- Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (EC) Bursary
- Drakenstein Municipality Bursary
- DRDGOLD Bursary
- Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary
- Element Six Bursary
- Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality Bursary
- Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Scholarship
- Fairtree Bursary
- FASSET Bursary
- FMCSA Ford Bursary
- Garden Cities Bursary
- Garden Route District Municipality Bursary
- Gauteng Department of Social Development Bursary
- Gert Sibande District Municipality Bursary
- Gold Fields Ltd Bursary
- Gold One Bursary
- Grandslots Bursary
- GrandWest Bursary
- Hessequa Local Municipality Bursary
- Hollywoodbets Bursary
- Illovo Sugar Ltd Bursary
- Imerys Refractory Bursary
- Investec CSI Bursary
- INSETA Bursary
- Islamic Relief Bursary
- Johannesburg Water Bursary
- John Thompson Bursary
- J.P. Morgan Bursary
- Kuehne + Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary
- KwaDukuza Municipality Bursary
- KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursaries
- Land Bank Bursary
- Langeberg Municipality Bursary
- Limpopo Provincial Government (Public Works, Roads & Infrastructure) Bursary
- Limpopo Provincial Treasury Bursary
- MANCOSA Bursary
- Marula Platinum Bursary
- Mercedes-Benz Bursary
- Milliman Scholarship
- Mossel Bay Municipality Bursary
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) Bursary
- Nestlés Future Talent Bursary
- Ninety One Bursary
- Nkangala District Municipality Bursary
- Northam Booysendal Platinum Bursary
- Northam Zondereinde Mine Bursary
- North West Provincial Government Bursaries
- NUMSA Bursary
- Oasis Bursary
- Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG) Imfundo Trust Scholarship
- Overberg District Municipality Bursary
- Overstrand Municipality Bursary
- Palabora Mining Company Bursary
- Pilanesberg Platinum Mines (PPM) Bursary
- Pretune SIM Card Bursary
- Prince Albert Municipality Bursary
- Pyrotec Bursary
- Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)
- Ratlou Local Municipality Bursary
- Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) Bursary
- Ritluka Resources Bursary
- Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Bursary
- Road Traffic Infringement Agency Bursary
- Rosond Bursary
- Royal Bafokeng Platinum Bursary
- Rustenburg Municipality Bursary
- Saldanha Bay Municipality Bursary
- Santam Bursary
- South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) Bursary
- Sasria Bursary
- South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) Bursary
- South African Reserve Bank Bursary
- Standard Bank Bursary
- Stanlib Bursary
- Stellenbosch Municipality Bursary
- Sun City Resort Bursary
- Swartland Municipality Bursary
- TCTA (Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority) Bursary
- Thebe Foundation Dr EJ Mabuza Bursary
- Theewaterskloof Municipality Bursary
- TOTAL Bursary
- Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary
- Transnet Bursary
- Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Bursary
- Truworths Bursary
- Ubuhlebezwe Municipality Bursary
- UWC/ INSETA Bursary
- Vhembe District Municipality Mayoral Bursary
- Volkswagen Community Trust Bursary
- Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) Bursary
- Voltex Bursary
- W&RSETA Bursary
- Western Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary
GENERAL ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2024 & 2024
Accountants have a major responsibility in the business they work in – they are in charge of keeping track of all the business’ income and assets.
To do this, accountants give advice to owners on their financial dealings as well as advise them on compliance requirements and associated record-keeping. Accountants work closely with bookkeepers to ensure that a business’s financial reports and records are accurately prepared to ensure financial analysis.
The general duties of an accountant include the preparation of asset, liability, and capital account entries by way analyzing and compiling account information. Accountants are also responsible for documenting financial transactions and recommending financial actions.
To become an accountant, you would need to complete a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, or a Finance Degree/ equivalent Diploma. You will need to obtain your qualification from a recognized institution or complete 6 years of relevant work experience.
The last step to becoming an accountant is to complete the SAIPA Professional Evaluations exam, showcasing your ability to combine your practical and academic knowledge.
These subjects are recommended for following a career in Accounting: Accounting, Mathematics, Economics, Information Technology and Businesses Science.
If this sounds like a career path you would be interested in following, here are a list of Accounting bursaries to apply for:
- African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Bursary
- Astron Energy Bursary
- Baker Hughes Bursary
- BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund
- BEKA Schréder Bursary
- Brand South Africa Bursary
- British American Tobacco Bursary
- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
- Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary
- Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Bursary
- Cipla Bursary
- City of Cape Town Bursary
- City of Johannesburg Bursary
- Clover Pinnacle Bursary
- Compensation Fund Bursary
- CSG Bursary
- de Beers Bursary
- Drakenstein Municipality Bursary
- Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi South32 Bursary
- Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
- Engcobo Local Municipality Bursary
- Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Bursary
- Fairtree Bursary
- FASSET Bursary
- Garden Cities Bursary
- Gibela Bursary
- GrandWest Bursary
- Hessequa Local Municipality Bursary
- Hulamin Bursary
- Impala Platinum/ Implats Bursary
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary
- Investec CSI Bursary
- Irish Aid Kader Asmal Scholarship
- ISFAP Bursary
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary
- Islamic Relief Bursary
- Johannesburg Water Bursary
- John Davidson Educational Trust Bursary
- Kuehne + Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary
- KwaDukuza Municipality Bursary
- KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursaries
- LegalWise Bursary
- Limpopo Provincial Treasury Bursary
- Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality Bursary
- MANCOSA Bursary
- Mazars Bursary
- Megchem Bursary
- Moshal Scholarship Program
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- MTN Bursary
- N3TC Bursary
- NEET (National Economic Education Trust) Bursary
- North West Provincial Government Bursaries
- NUMSA Bursary
- Oasis Bursary
- Okhahlamba Local Municipality Bursary
- Old Mutual Accounting Bursary
- Overberg District Municipality Bursary
- Overstrand Municipality Bursary
- Palabora Mining Company Bursary
- Pretune SIM Card Bursary
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Bursary
- Prince Albert Municipality Bursary
- Public Investment Corporation (PIC) Bursary
- Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)
- Rand Water Bursary
- RCL Foods Bursary
- Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) Bursary
- Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) Bursary
- Rio Tinto/ Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Bursary
- Royal Bafokeng Platinum Bursary
- Saldanha Bay Municipality Bursary
- Santam Bursary
- SARS Bursary
- Sasha Laurel Bursary
- Sasria Bursary
- SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-cdt) Bursary
- Siyanda Bakgatla Platinum Mine Bursary
- Shoprite Bursaries
- South African Reserve Bank Bursary
- Standard Bank Bursary
- Stanlib Bursary
- Stellenbosch Municipality Bursary
- Swartland Municipality Bursary
- TCTA (Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority) Bursary
- Tegkor/ Nelson Mandela University Bursary
- Theewaterskloof Municipality Bursary
- Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary
- Toyota Tsusho Africa Bursary
- Transnet Bursary
- Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Bursary
- Tronox Bursary
- Ubuhlebezwe Municipality Bursary
- UWC/ INSETA Bursary
- Vhembe District Municipality Mayoral Bursary
- Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) Bursary
- W&RSETA Bursary
- Western Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary