Durban — The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has announced a new pathway to becoming registered auditors in South Africa.
In a statement, the association said its members can now apply to become registered auditors in a move that will help alleviate talent shortages and widen diversity in the audit sector.
Following accreditation last year by South Africa’s Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, members of ACCA are now able to apply to become registered auditors in the country.
ACCA said that the development will help to alleviate the audit talent shortage. It will also further strengthen ACCA’s contribution to South Africa’s economy and society, including increasing inclusion and diversity in the audit sector.
ACCA Southern Africa cluster head Portia Mkhabela said: “We are delighted that the pathway for ACCA members and future members to gain registered auditor status in South Africa is now available.”
“This is good news for our current members and students, and it will also increase the appeal of accountancy as a potential career for those just starting out.“
She added that they were looking forward to working with employers of auditors about the opportunities this offered them in terms of strengthening the talent and skills of their teams.
Jamil Ampomah, ACCA director – Africa, said: “This recognition is a positive reflection of the quality of the ACCA Qualification, the professional standards of our members, and our well-established presence in South Africa.”
He said that it would bring new opportunities for their members and future members, and also help employers in the audit sector by increasing the size and diversity of their talent pool.
ACCA as an additional professional body in South Africa has been awarded accreditation by the IRBA. ACCA was required to demonstrate how it met a rigorous set of criteria and have the application reviewed by an independent panel.
Members applying to become registered auditors will need to meet audit experience requirements and undertaken relevant exam options within the ACCA Qualification. They can then apply for ACCA’s South Africa Audit Qualification, which allows them to register for the IRBA’s Audit Development Programme, an up to 18-month process leading to registered auditor status.
The skills of ACCA members in audit are also recognised through audit regulatory recognition in other countries such as the UK, Ireland and Zimbabwe. ACCA’s qualification model has been welcomed in South Africa throughout its long history in the country, providing a route to becoming an accountancy professional that is both inclusive and innovative.
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