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Recognition and accreditation of foreign qualified individuals.How to comply with the requirements for working as a foreign qualified individual.
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1
SAICA’S POLICY
with regard to
MEMBERS FROM OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES
becoming
SAICA MEMBERS (CAs(SA))
Section A: Ways to become a member of SAICA (CA(SA))
Section B: Details of SAICA’s Qualifying Examinations
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EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS
Part I of the Qualifying Examination (QE) is to be renamed the Initial Test of Competence
(ITC) from 2013. This is SAICA’s standard-setting examination.
The Part II of the QE (the SAICA Financial Management exam) and the Public Practice
Examination (PPE) (the exam of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA)) is
to be consolidated into one examination with a new format, as set out below, and be
renamed the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) as from 2014.
The Part II exams, in its current format (i.e. the PPE and Financial Management) will
therefore come to an end in 2013, with a supplementary exam being offered in 2014 for
those candidates who fail these exams in 2013. References to Part II Financial
Management, the PPE or APC should be interpreted in the light of the year to which the
relevant examination applies.
The current Financial Management and Audit specialist courses will be replaced by a new
professional programme concurrently with the change from Part II to the APC in 2014.
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SECTION A
WAYS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF SAICA (CA(SA))
Becoming a CA(SA) can be achieved in the following ways:
1 Completion of the SAICA defined qualification process by directly participating in the programme
in South Africa;
2 Conversion from an Associate General Accountant (AGA(SA));
3 In terms of membership of bodies with whom SAICA has a signed reciprocal membership
agreement (RMA);
4 In terms of special arrangements with –
the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA);
the Swaziland Institute of Accountants (SIA);
the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India; or
5 In terms of arrangements for members of professional accountancy bodies not covered above.
1 The SAICA qualification process
The South African qualification process can be summarised as follows:
Completion of a three-year accredited undergraduate programme;
Completion of a one-year accredited post-graduate programme (known as the Certificate in
the Theory of Accounting (CTA) or equivalent programme);
Completion of the ITC, which is the standard-setting examination;
Completion of a three-year training contract at an accredited training office (either in
commerce in the case of Part II of the QE or public practice in the case of the PPE);
Completion of a specialism course / professional programme;
Completion of Part II of the QE / PPE, or APC.
2 Conversion from an AGA(SA)
Members who hold an AGA(SA) designation and who completed an AGA training contract with a
Training Outside Public Practice (TOPP) organisation and who wish to convert to a CA(SA), must –
enter into a CA training contract with a TOPP organisation;
apply for recognition of prior learning (note that 18 months’ training under the CA training
contract is a requirement to be able to write Part II of the QE / APC);
obtain a CTA and pass the ITC; and
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complete the specialist course / professional programme; and
pass Part II / the APC.
AGA members who completed their AGA training contract with a TOPP organisation and wish to
become a registered accountant should make enquiries directly with the IRBA at 087 940 8800.
3 Membership of a body with whom SAICA has a reciprocal membership agreement
3.1 Reciprocal membership agreements (RMA)
SAICA has RMAs with the following chartered accountancy bodies. Members of these professional
bodies can apply for SAICA membership under certain conditions and provided they meet the criteria
set out below.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)
The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA)
The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). The RMA is applicable
to persons who qualified with the HKICPA from 1 January 2006 onwards. Applications for
membership with SAICA from persons who qualified between the period 1999–2005 will be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN). (The mutual recognition
agreement is in the process of being finalised.)
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Conditions
Members of the above bodies must have completed both the full education programme and
all of the examination requirements of the institute with whom they are registered.
No additional conversion exams are required for membership purposes for such members.
The RMAs exclude persons who obtained membership of one of the above bodies by
means of affiliation or exemption from all or part of the education programmes. Such
persons will thus NOT be eligible for membership of SAICA via this route.
Criteria for becoming a member of SAICA
On joining
Be a member in good standing of one of the above bodies; and
Maintain membership of the home body.
Ongoing (after obtaining membership)
Comply with SAICA’s continuing professional development (CPD) obligations and make an
annual declaration that the member has done so;
Comply with the SAICA Code of Ethics; and
Maintain membership of the home body.
3.2 Partially qualified individuals of abovementioned institutes
Such members may write to SAICA at isaacm@saica.co.za, furnishing full details of the
processes (academic and/or practical training) already completed through the member’s
institute, for evaluation; and
The SAICA secretariat will then provide detailed feedback, on a case-by-case basis, with
regard to further requirements for possible membership of SAICA.
4 Special arrangements
4.1 CIMA members
A CIMA member wishing to become a CA(SA) can only enter into a training contract for the Financial
Management elective (i.e. Internal Audit, Risk Management & Governance or Financial Management
or Management Decision-making) with a training office accredited by SAICA for this elective, and is
required to –
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complete a one-year post-graduate accredited programme (a CTA or equivalent
programme);
pass the ITC; and
enter into a three-year training contract and apply for recognition of prior learning, of which
a maximum of 12 months will be granted as remission towards the three-year training
contract (i.e. he/she will be required to serve a two-year training contract at an approved
training office).
CIMA members will be exempt from the financial management specialism course /
professional programme as well as the Part II QE / APC.
CIMA members may apply for exemption on the prescribed form, obtainable from
isaacm@saica.co.za
For requirements for SAICA members who wish to become CIMA members, see www.saica.co.za.
Path: Members> CIMA Recognition
4.2 Swaziland Institute of Accountants (SIA)
SIA members wishing to become CAs(SA) must fulfil the following requirements:
Complete a three-year training contract at an accredited training office in Swaziland (in
public practice). Training contracts are registered and administered by SIA and their
training programme is evaluated and recognised by SAICA;
Complete a one-year post-graduate accredited programme at an accredited education
institution in South Africa (a CTA or equivalent programme);
Pass the ITC (The SIA writes the same exam as set by SAICA);
Successfully complete a specialist diploma / professional programme; and
Complete the IRBA PPE / APC.
Once members have completed their training contracts and passed the ITC and PPE / APC, they
must–
apply for membership of the SIA;
apply for membership of SAICA;
maintain membership of the SIA home body;
comply with SAICA’s CPD obligations and make an annual declaration that they have done
so; and
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comply with the SAICA Code of Ethics.
4.3 Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI)
Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India who wish to become members of SAICA
are required to –
(a) complete a one-year post-graduate accredited programme at an accredited education institution
in South Africa (a CTA or equivalent programme)
(b) pass the ITC;
(c) successfully complete a specialist diploma / professional programme; and
(d) pass Part II / the APC.
With regard to training, the member must fulfil the following conditions. These are based on the
Training Manual published and issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India in 1994, and
which has in principle been approved by the SAICA Training Requirements Committee (TRECO):
Provide SAICA with documentary evidence of experience gained during the period of
practical training;
Satisfy TRECO that his/her practical training was relevant by completing a TIPP 5 form
(relating to recognition of prior learning), which must be signed by the applicant as well as
the training officer under whom the training contract was served. The completed, signed
document must be faxed to Isaac Mgidi at 011 621 6836;
Wait for the outcome of the evaluation of the TIPP 5 form before applying to write any
SAICA examinations;
In a case where TRECO does not grant an exemption with regard to practical training
already completed, the member will be required to enter into a three-year training contract
at an accredited training office (either in commerce or public practice).
In a case where TRECO does grant full recognition of prior learning exemption, the
member must comply with the following requirements:
Complete the ITC;
Complete the Part II / APC;
Apply for membership of SAICA.
Conditions once membership of SAICA gained
Maintain membership of his/her home body;
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Comply with SAICA’s CPD obligations and make an annual declaration that the
member has done so; and
Comply with the SAICA Code of Ethics.
5 Arrangements for members from professional accountancy bodies not covered above
5.1 Formalised recognition of other professional accounting bodies
SAICA recognises the need to grant membership to members of other professional accounting bodies
whose members meet SAICA’s competency requirements (defined for purposes of recognition at point
of entry to the profession).
It is envisaged by SAICA that recognition is likely, in most cases, to be reciprocal (both bodies evaluate
and recognise each other in terms of their own recognition principles and criteria). However, this
document only addresses SAICA requirements for recognition of another professional body. Other
professional bodies will have their own requirements with which SAICA will have to comply if mutual
recognition is sought.
The requirements, for other professional accounting bodies to achieve recognition by SAICA, after
formal application, can be found on the SAICA website www.saica.co.za:
Path: Members ór Training ór Learners & Students then select Recognition of other
professional bodies under any of these tabs
5.2 Requirements for members of such other professional accountancy bodies
The following are requirements for persons who belong to professional bodies not covered in sections
3 and 4 above, and who wish to become members of SAICA:
Their educational qualification(s) must be evaluated by an education institution in South
Africa whose programmes are accredited by SAICA for purposes of the one-year post-
graduate accredited programme (the CTA or equivalent programme). The list of accredited
educational institutions can be found at www.saica.co.za
Path: Learners & Students > Information of Education Providers;
The completion of the accredited programme will allow such members entry to the ITC,
which must be written and passed;
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The members must further satisfy TRECO that their practical training was relevant by
completing a TIPP 5 form (relating to recognition of prior learning), which must be signed
by the applicant as well as the training officer under whom the training contract was served.
The completed, signed document must be faxed to Isaac Mgidi at 011 621 6836 for
evaluation by TRECO.
In a case where TRECO does not grant an exemption with regard to practical training
already completed, the member will be required to enter into a three-year training contract
at an accredited training office (either in commerce or public practice).
In a case where TRECO does grant full recognition of prior learning exemption, the
member must comply with the following requirements:
Complete a specialist course / professional programme in either auditing or
financial management (depending on training route selected);
Write Part II / the PPE, or the APC, depending on the training route selected
and specialist course completed.
SECTION B
INFORMATION ON THE SAICA QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS
1 The Initial Test of Competence
From 2013 the ITC will be written in January and June. This examination consists of four papers. Each
paper counts 100 marks and candidates are allowed 30 minutes reading time and 150 minutes writing
time.
The ITC tests the integrated application of cognitive knowledge. It covers the body of knowledge for –
Strategy, risk management and governance
Auditing and assurance
Accounting and external reporting
Decision making and control
Financial Management
Taxation.
Communication skills and ethics are also tested.
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2 Part II of the Qualifying Exam / Assessment of Professional Competence
Part II (Financial Management) of the QE is currently written in November. Until the end of 2013, the
examination will consist of two papers of 100 marks each and candidates are allowed 20 minutes
reading time and 150 minutes writing time.
Part II is skills orientated and aimed at testing the integrated practical knowledge gained in
professional practice.
From 2014 the APC will be written, which will assess professional competence by means of one multi-
disciplinary case study.
3 Examinable pronouncements for the Qualifying Examinations
Information on the examinable pronouncements and Part II syllabus can be found at the SAICA
website at www.saica.co.za:
Path: Learners & Students > Examinations > Information on what will be examined
Note that the examinable pronouncements and syllabus may change from year to year.
4 Prescribed fees
The prescribed fees for the ITC and Part II / APC can be found on www.saica.co.za
Path: Learners & Students > Examinations > Exam Information > Dates and Fees for
forthcoming examinations
Applications to write the qualifying examination must be made online at www.saica.co.za on or before
the closing date, which shall be announced by SAICA not less than three months prior to the date of
the examination and published on the SAICA website.
For general information on the examinations visit www.saica.co.za
Path: Learners & Students > Examinations > Exam Information
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