Accounting

OVERVIEW

Accounting is a way of communicating the financial health of an organization to current and future investors. The broad types of accounting include: Taxes, Payroll, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, Bookkeeping and Auditing.

Once your Accounting degree is completed, you can apply to a professional body to earn a designation. There are several professional bodies such as SAICA, SAIPA, IRBA and CIMA. Whilst planning out your career development plan, ensure your qualification and the university chosen are accredited by the professional body.

SAICA – South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
SAIPA – South African Institute of Professional Accountants
IRBA – Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors
CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
ACMA – Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
CGMA – Chartered Global Management Accountants

Each of these professional bodies indicate steppingstone to navigate through your career development plan until you are achieving the highest level the professional body.

SPECIALISATION

Accounting

The discipline of gathering and reporting on financial information about the performance, financial position, and cash flows of a business. This information is then used to reach decisions about how to manage the business, or invest in it, or lend money to it.

Audit

Tax

Specialists in this field prepare tax statements for organisations and/or individuals, and give advice on tax-related issues, for example, helping companies assess the tax implications of various cash flow or investment options.

Financial Management

A good option for those keen to pursue financial careers in the corporate, banking, insurance and financial services sectors. Topics covered are likely to include corporate finance, accounting, financial markets, capital budgeting, shareholder dividend policies and allocation of assets.