Your Path to Excellence

Are you ready to embark on a journey that transforms your passion for finance into a prestigious career?

The Chartered Accountant South Africa (aka CASA) designation has been voted the number one Chartered Accountancy designation in the world. This is according to a recent study done by Edelman DxI, in collaboration with Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW).

North-West University offers a world-class Chartered Accountancy Programme to prepare you for one of the most respected global accounting designations. Accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the BCom Chartered Accountancy programme prepares you for local and international leadership roles.

Some examples of typical tasks include:

• Utilise data analytics for financial insights and decision-making.
• Integrate cutting-edge financial software and tools, leveraging technology to streamline processes and improve decision-making.
• Work with multinational companies, manage cross-border transactions and navigate diverse financial regulations, gaining a global perspective.
• Drive financial performance by creating forecasts, budgets, and strategic plans that directly influence the growth of an organisation.
• Maintain ethical standards and regulatory compliance within organisations, ensuring they operate with integrity and transparency.
• Be your own boss by setting up and running the business of your choice.
• Audit accounts and express an opinion on the fairness of financial statements.
• Prepare financial statements in accordance with accounting standards.
• Report on financial performance to stakeholders.
• Teach at a university or provide training to the accountancy profession.

Choosing NWU's Chartered Accountancy Programme is your first step toward a rewarding and impactful career.

Core subjects 

• Business Sciences
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Management
• Governance, Ethics, Auditing and Risk
• Management Accounting
• Taxation

Degree options

BCom in Chartered Accountancy

• Degree duration: 3 years, full time 
• Offered on the Potchefstroom [P], Mahikeng [M] & Vanderbijlpark [V] campuses
• Curriculum code: 5FDH01

​BCom in Chartered Accountancy - Extended Programme

• Degree duration: 4 years, full time
• Offered on the Mahikeng [M] & Vanderbijlpark [V] campuses
• Curriculum code: 5XAH01

Admission requirements

Professional bodies 

South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) For more information visit their website: https://www.saica.co.za/
Also recognised by: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) The BCom Chartered Accountancy degree entitles students to claim exemptions for nine foundation level exams from ACCA. For more information visit their website: https://www.accaglobal.com/africa/en.html
Also recognised by: South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) For more information visit their website: http://www.thesait.org.za/
Also recognised by: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) For more information visit their website: http://www.cimaglobal.com/

Career opportunities 

A Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification is exceptionally varied and dynamic, offering a wide range of career opportunities. You can pursue a career in public practice (auditing firms), the corporate sector (working for a company), the public sector (government roles), your own business, or academia. While there are many pathways, most of our graduates join one of the following companies: Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC. As a CA, you can explore various career paths, including:

• Auditor
• Tax specialist
• Financial manager
• Business consultant
• Computer auditor
• Corporate finance specialist
• Structured finance specialist
• Entrepreneur
• Academic/training provider

Post-graduate studies

Postgraduate studies in Chartered Accountancy include

• Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy (PGDA)
• Honours in Chartered Accountancy
• MCom in Accountancy, Management Accountancy or Taxation.
• PhD in Accountancy, Management Accountancy or Taxation.

These postgraduate degrees are offered at

• Potchefstroom [P]
• Vanderbijlpark [V]

Download our Honours and PGDA brochure here.