Accountants and Auditors

Accountant

Accounting Officer

Audit Partner

Auditor

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Cost Accountant

Financial Auditor

General Accountant

Internal Auditor

Revenue Tax Specialist

What is an Accountant and Auditor?

Accountants and auditors are financial professionals responsible for managing financial records, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing guidance on financial decisions. They play a crucial role in the financial health of businesses, individuals, and organizations by preparing financial statements, conducting audits, and analyzing financial data. Accountants often focus on tax preparation, budgeting, and financial analysis, while auditors assess the accuracy and completeness of financial reports and internal controls. Both professions require a strong understanding of accounting principles and laws, along with analytical skills to interpret financial information. Accountants can work in various industries, including public accounting firms, corporations, non-profits, and government agencies, whereas auditors typically work in public accounting firms or as internal auditors for corporations. Together, they contribute to the transparency and integrity of financial reporting, helping stakeholders make informed financial decisions.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$50440.0 - $137280.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and will have large numbers of openings.

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Assessment

Related assessments and tests

Related Occupations

Tasks

Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.

Technology Skills

Accounting software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Sage 50 Accounting
- SAP Concur
- Summit Software Summit Biofuels Accounting
Word processing software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft OneNote
- Microsoft Word
Financial analysis software
- Delphi Technology
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- TopCAATs
- Tropics workers' compensation software
Tax preparation software
- ATX Total Tax Office
- Intuit TurboTax
- NewPortWave Year End Solutions
- Thomson GoSystem Tax
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software
- Workday software

Tools Used

Photocopiers
- Photocopying equipment
Scanners
- Computer data input scanners
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Laser fax machine
- Laser facsimile machines

Knowledge

Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

57 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R38,484pm

How to know if you are ready to be a Accountants and Auditors in South Africa

Choosing a career in the financial sector is a significant commitment that requires a blend of technical prowess and unwavering ethical standards. Currently, the South African market shows a steady demand with 65 active job openings available. While the data indicates an average entry-level or clerk-focused salary of R6,656 per month, it is important to view this as a starting point in a sector known for high-growth potential and long-term financial stability as you gain professional designations.

Is Accountants and Auditors Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

To succeed in the rigorous world of South African finance, you need more than just a knack for numbers. Review the following traits to see if you align with the professional requirements:

Analytical Rigour: Do you enjoy deconstructing complex problems to find logical solutions?
Uncompromising Integrity: Are you committed to ethical conduct, even when under pressure to overlook discrepancies?
Attention to Detail: Do you naturally spot errors in data or written documents that others might miss?
Organisational Skills: Can you manage multiple projects, such as tax seasons and audit cycles, simultaneously?
Resilience: Are you prepared for the "busy season" and the high-pressure environment of financial year-ends?
Effective Communication: Can you explain complex financial concepts to clients or stakeholders who may not have a financial background?

Day in the Life

In the South African context, a day in the life of an accountant or auditor is dynamic and structured. Your morning might begin with reviewing the latest SARS regulations or ensuring a client’s VAT returns are submitted accurately. If you are in auditing, you may spend your day at a client’s premises—ranging from manufacturing plants in Gauteng to corporate offices in Cape Town—verifying assets and scrutinising financial records to ensure compliance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).

The afternoon often involves collaborating with a team to finalise audit programmes or advising a business owner on how to optimise their cash flow. You will navigate various software packages like Pastel, Xero, or Caseware, ensuring that every cent is accounted for. It is a career that keeps you at the heart of the economy, providing the transparency that South African businesses need to thrive.

Education & Upskilling

The path to becoming a professional accountant or auditor in South Africa is varied, catering to different career goals. Formal education typically begins with a Bachelor of Accounting or a BCom degree from a SAICA-accredited university. For those pursuing a technical route, TVET colleges offer National Diplomas in Financial Management which provide a solid foundation for bookkeeping and junior accounting roles.

However, a degree is only the beginning. To truly excel, you must pursue professional certifications through bodies such as SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants), SAIPA (South African Institute of Professional Accountants), or ACCA. We cannot overemphasise that continuous learning is key. The financial world is constantly shifting due to new tax laws, evolving audit standards, and digital transformation. Engaging in short courses on data analytics, cloud accounting, and forensic auditing will ensure your skills remain relevant in a competitive market.

Next Steps

Deciding to become an accountant or auditor is a bold step toward a prestigious and vital career. If you possess the discipline and the desire to uphold the financial health of South African enterprises, you are already on the right path. However, theoretical knowledge is just one part of the equation. To truly understand where your strengths lie and if you are prepared for the challenges of the profession, you must take the leap. Test your readiness now by completing our comprehensive career assessment and take the first step toward your future in finance.

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Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

No education information available.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Detailed Work Activities

Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
Advise others on financial matters.
Report information to managers or other personnel.
Advise others on business or operational matters.
Examine financial records.

Work Interests

Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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