Graduate Trainee at MMS Chartered Accountants

Your steps to becoming a Chartered Accountant with MMS Group and SAICA

STEP ONE: Tertiary Academic Requirements

You will need to obtain a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) or equivalent qualification. This is a post-graduate course that occurs in your fourth year at university. This course focuses on Accounting, Auditing, Taxation and Financial Management and takes a minimum of one year to complete. Completion needs to occur at a SAICA-accredited university.

STEP TWO: Tertiary Practical Requirements

The second part of your path towards becoming a CA(SA) entails completing a learnership programme. This is known as a training contract and one which a trainee accountant enters into with a registered training office. Mahdi Meyer Steyn Chartered Accountants Inc. is a registered SAICA training office – and it is where we join your journey.

STEP THREE: Pass SAICA's Professional Examinations

The final steps on your path to becoming a CA(SA) involves passing two qualifying examinations, namely the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) and the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Both of these exams are set and administered by SAICA.

The Initial Test of Competence (ITC)

To qualify for entry to the ITC, you must have passed Honours / PGDA / CTA or equivalent level qualification at a SAICA recognised University. This generally means that candidates enter for the ITC during their first year of their training contracts, if they studied full time or the fourth year if they have been studying part-time.

A CTA is valid for three years. This means candidates will be eligible to sit for the ITC exam for a period of three consecutive years, starting the year after obtaining a CTA or equivalent qualification. There are two examination opportunities per year for the ITC, namely in January and June of each year. This means candidates have a maximum of six attempts at the ITC.

The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

To qualify for entry to the APC, a candidate must have –

• passed the ITC; and

• completed a minimum of 20 months of a registered training contract with an accredited training office, by the beginning of the month in which the assessment is written; and

• successfully completed a professional programme with a registered provider.

The professional programme remains valid for a period of three consecutive years, which means that the APC must be passed within those three years; otherwise you will have to complete a professional programme again.

Once completed, as a qualified SAICA Member, you will be required to complete your CPD regularly to maintain, improve and update your knowledge and skills. This can be done through additional courses and resources.

With a training contract at MMS, you can ensure that you fulfil all the necessary SAICA competencies to achieve your aspiration as a Chartered Accountant. Our programme equips you with the generalist expertise and experience needed for a range of commercial sectors.
 

We are on the look-out for candidates with these competencies:

• An ambitious mindset

• A high-stress threshold

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to pay attention to detail

• Excellent time management

• Comfortable with team management

• Good communication skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Remember these requirements:

• Preference will be given to candidates with South African citizenship

• Honours / PGDA / CTA or equivalent level qualification at a SAICA recognised University.