Careers insights

Any aspiring CA or AGA will need to push through the trial known as a training contract, or articles. Many who have been through this mill press will summarise it as an ordeal, but every one of them will have those wistful looks and sighs as they remember the good times.

It’s amazing how the only thing that might be standing between you and obtaining your next job could be a document called a Curriculum Vitae. Even though the structure of a CV has changed over the years, there is still many people  who are still hanging on to the old, lengthy structure that was used long ago.

As aspiring Chartered Accountant (SA)’s, we all know the natural procession of the 3 year under grad degree, one-year honours, followed by 3 years of intense training and experience during audit articles (also known as a training contract). This includes 2 sets of board exams (ITC and APC).

Have you ever considered a career in accounting, auditing, tax or financial management? Do you share the dream of many others of having those admired four letters at the end of your name someday – CA(SA)? Do you know the rules of the game to get there? Here is the low-down on how to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa.

Congratulations on choosing the path to becoming a Chartered Accountant and holding the prestigious title of CA(SA). You have probably envisioned your first career move would be to receive a Training Contract at a reputable audit firm.

COVID19 has brought numerous changes to the workplace.  The way we conduct interviews is one of them.  Gone are the days where you arrive at the doorstep of a potential employer with sweaty hands.  You will now be interviewed in the comfort of your own safe environment.

The journey of a trainee accountant is filled with trials and tribulations, especially so when you choose to work and study at the same time

As a trainee, I was always aware that the supervisors, managers and directors had oceans of work that we could scarcely perceive while attempting to fight our own battles, but one never understands the scope of such things until they are on the other side of the veil.

For those who are studying, thinking about studying and especially those thinking about studying again…

I was seconded from the RSM South Africa offices to the RSM Australia Canberra office for a period of 3 months. It was a real eye opening experience. Here are some of the reasons why I applied for the secondment opportunity and why I think other trainees should apply as well.

Trainees at RSM are often given the opportunity of going on secondment to a number of countries around the world, including Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK, to name a few.

Once your CV catches the eye of a recruiter, all you are really left with is to test that there is mutual compatibility. The problem with interviews, aside from being an inherently flawed way of selecting talent, is that it’s easy to get nervous, and it’s even easier to turn it into a complete social disaster.

I recently wrote an article on How not to get an increase, which surprisingly went down pretty well.  I decided to continue the theme and suggest a few things that should never, ever, be found on a CV.

The beginning of February each year brings with it new adventures and challenges for so many hopeful CA(SA) candidates.

I, like most HR professionals, have a natural interest in human behaviour and observing awkward conversations is like an ice-cream on a hot summer day - amusing but doesn’t usually last very long. I am often asked by friends, family and sometimes even by strangers, how to go about asking for an increase.