SA'S ASPIRING CAs FAIL TO MAKE THE GRADE

Oh! How sad, and not only is it sad, but it is also going to cause a huge problem - particularly in view of the fact that it is the 'black' students who have failed so dismally!

What does this mean, well for the people what passed, and passed well - well done, but seeing what happened in the engineering arena, this does not necessarily mean that you will be able to find a job anywhere - the government could still very well pass you by and then import 'skilled' CA's from elsewhere in the world.

The reality of the situation, of course is a great opportunity for you, and that opportunity is for you to start your own business in the world of Finance or join another SMME who is probably being run of his/her feet due to the shortage of skilled labour.

Whatever you decide - the opportunites are vast and the rewards are great - go out there and get your share, there's more than enough to go around!

SA's aspiring CAs fail to make the grade
Johannesburg, South Africa
24 February 2007 07:30

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) on Friday expressed disappointment at the poor pass rate of chartered accounting (CA) students. This year's overall pass rate, in the qualifying exams written as part of a process to becoming fully qualified CAs, was 41% -- a 14% decrease from last year, said Saica president Ignatius Sehoole. A total of 124 students sat for this year's qualifying exams. Repeat candidates, especially, did not do well. Only 25% sitting for this year's exams passed, compared with 33% last year. Of this year's first-time candidates, only 51% passed, compared with last year's 61%. "We are disappointed at the low pass rate, especially among the black candidates, as we had committed ourselves to growing the number of black CAs in South Africa. "Regrettably the most recent statistics have come in well below our expectations, pointing partly to the exceptionally high standards required of aspirant accountants and to the need to redouble our efforts," said Sehoole. She said candidates who were writing "financial management part two" exams reflected a poor level of interpretation and battled with financial analysis. "This is of concern, as the part-two exam is a test of professional competence which is sat by candidates who have already completed part one of the qualifying examination as well as completed at least 18 months of their practical work requirement," said Sehoole. Rowan Ashley Lang, a trainee from Investec, was one of the few students to pass with honours. -- Sapa