The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
(SAICA) has launched a new training model that combines the
institute’s two current training models into a single
programme.
At present, SAICA students qualify by either training
inside or outside public practice. The former offers specialisation
in auditing, while the latter offers specialisation in financial
management.
SAICA project director for training Adri Kleinhans said the new
model is designed to arm chartered accountants with broad-based
business skills. It aims to ensure the SAICA programme responds to
the needs of the South African economy and ensures the CA
designation remains relevant and sustainable, and the profession
continues to grow.
The competencies currently prescribed for the SAICA training
programme have been redefined with a more equal weighting of
auditing with other core technical areas such as tax, management
accounting, financial management and financial accounting.
There will also be added emphasis on corporate governance and
ethics, business acumen, IT, communication technology,
interpersonal and communication skills, leadership skills, and
organisational and management skills.
Global research
When developing the new training model, SAICA identified key
issues facing the profession by researching local and international
trends and evolutions in professional development. The institute
examined international professional services organisations and
other accountancy bodies.
The issues identified included:
• demand for knowledge and skills occasioned by
globalisation;
• demand for improved corporate governance and ethics;
• the supply of and demand for trainees;
• the changing generations;
• the demand for more flexibility in the training programme;
and
• the potential impact of corporate law reform on training
offices.
After identifying these issues, SAICA developed a working model
that sought to amalgamate the best aspects of the profession
internationally. The new model will be effective from 1 January
2010.
