Business profile ... SAAA celebrates 40 years of excellence

THE Southern Africa Association of Accountants (SAAA) this year celebrates 40 years of training and nurturing accountants in the country.

Over the years, the association has transformed from the institution training and certifying accounting technicians to training and certification of fully-fledged Accountants with the accountants being able to register with the Public Accountants and Auditors Board as General Accountants (RGACC).

In an interview this week, SAAA chief executive officer Taka Svosve said the association has come of age and the industry today has thousands of excelling accountants that were trained by the institution.

“It is of no doubt that the accountancy profession has come of age and has been providing valuable service to both the private and public sectors across the world and SAAA has always played a pivotal role in providing the necessary knowledge and skills since its formation in 1983,” Svosve said.

“The accountancy profession has greatly evolved over the years from producing mere bookkeepers to producing business managers and leaders who are beyond number crunchers and this evolution is also reflected in the graduates that SAAA produces.”

Svosve said graduates with knowledge but lacking the requisite skills and level of competency will not add value to the accounting profession, society, and the economy at large.

“SAAA has not been a stagnant institution but continues to move with the times to ensure the relevance of its esteemed qualification. I would also want to urge accountants to go beyond being job seekers and employees but to be job creators and employment providers,” he said. “By this, you create more value and more contribution to the economy and society at large. Being an entrepreneur undoubtedly creates the best retirement package for you rather than waiting to be paid terminal benefits and a pension.”

To mark the 40th anniversary, Svosve said a number of events will run before the main celebrations that will be held concurrently with this year’s annual conference in Nyanga at Troutbeck Hotel. The fore events include anniversary dinner, and golf day among other activities.

SAAA is a Public Accountancy Organisation incorporated in 1983 in terms of the Companies Act [Chapter 24.03]. The association opened its doors in 1983 as ZAAT and rebranded to SAAA in 2005.

SAAA offers a higher Diploma in Accountancy, an Advanced Diploma in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, and a Foundation Certificate in Accounting.

The Accountants can publicly practice as General Accountants upon being issued with a practicing certificate or as General Accountants in business.

To be a leading global institution that develops and nurtures professional accountants.

To produce world class accounting practitioners who are relevant to the market they serve.

Individual membership

Upon graduation with the SAAA Higher Diploma in Accountancy and attaining the requisite work experience one can apply to be admitted first as an associate member of SAAA (ASAAA) and then as a fellow of the association (FSAAA). Both SAAA graduates and members are required to adhere to the SAAA code of professional ethics as they go about doing their duties.

Corporate membership

Corporate Membership is open to organisations in both public and private sectors. This include local authorities and other statutory bodies. Corporate members will benefit from free training provided by SAAA to their staff on relevant areas of their choice, free updates on current affairs as well as discounts on attending association events like annual conferences, winter schools and other workshops.

Studentship

Those who wish to study the SAAA qualification can register anytime either online or physically at SAAA branches. Entry requirements are generally at least 2 A level passes in relevant subjects OR at least 5 O levels and a SAAA foundation certificate in Accountancy or other relevant and recognised qualification from an institution of Higher learning.

Exemption policy Examinations

The association offers its examinations four times a year in March, June, September and November. — Staff Writer.