WHO WE ARE
ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW
Listening to our Members: The True Value of SAICA
Value of Membership
How has being a CA(SA) member enhanced your professional credibility and opportunities in your career?
I qualified as a CA(SA) in 1977, a time when the designation commanded deep respect. My career in academia – lecturing in accounting and auditing – was strengthened by the credibility the CA(SA) title provided. It instilled confidence in my abilities, enabling my progression from Lecturer to Professor, Dean, and eventually Deputy Vice Chancellor. My success is a testament to both hard work and the prestige of the CA(SA) designation.
Support and Resources
What specific resources or support from SAICA have you found most valuable in your professional development?
SAICA’s regular guidelines and updates on legislative changes and new accounting standards have been invaluable for professional development, keeping members informed and well-equipped. Its support in this regard has been consistently excellent.
Ethics and Trust
How does SAICA’s emphasis on ethics influence your daily practice and the trust you build with clients and stakeholders?
In my view, SAICA should place greater emphasis on ethics and trust, as the profession’s reputation has suffered due to the misconduct of a few members. Disciplinary processes often seem slow, with penalties lacking deterrent effect. I believe that SAICA could influence a change to the one-semester Business Ethics module at universities, which is insufficient to instil a strong ethical foundation in accounting students. Ethics must be deeply ingrained in the profession’s culture to restore the trust and respect the CA(SA) designation deserves.*
Future Prospects / Career Advancement
How do you see the support from SAICA shaping the future for CA(SA)?
SAICA plays a vital role in restoring the CA(SA) designation’s prestige. The profession must acknowledge its diminished stature and shift focus from pass rates to quality. SAICA should work with universities and schools to ensure only top-quality students advance.**
*Read more about SAICA’s efforts in upholding trust in ‘Material Matters’.
**Read more about SAICA’s proactive role in supporting universities, schools and students to ensure a continuous supply of highly skilled and ethically grounded professionals, contributing to the long-term strength and reputation of the CA(SA) designation in our Operating Context.
