Accounting graduates take top honours in CA exam
- Wits University
The Margo Steele School of Accountancy continues to lead the way in South African accountancy education.
Graduates from the School demonstrated exceptional competence in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examination, the rigorous professional assessment for qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in South Africa.
Witsies proudly secured multiple places in the Top 10 — led by Tana Herson, who achieved First Place nationally, with Honours. Joining her in the Top 10 were Trinity Masiakwala in Fourth Place (with Honours) and Bilal Said, who ranked Ninth (with Honours).
Two more candidates—Rumaanah Dangor and Morale Kutumela—also earned Honours passes, reflecting the School’s consistent track record of academic excellence.
Says Professor Wadee, Head of the Margo Steele School of Accountancy, “The School is incredibly proud of all our IAC candidates. We are also proud of our continued significant contribution of African candidates to the profession, proving once again that at Wits, excellence and transformation of the profession can be achieved simultaneously.”
“Commending our students for their efforts, we also recognise the significant role that lecturers, tutors, family and other support structures have played in achieving these milestones”.
Leading the numbers
These outstanding achievements highlight the calibre of Wits’ accounting graduates and their readiness to lead in the profession.
The School’s Thuthuka students achieved a 100% pass rate, while recipients of the Margo Steele Bursary recorded a 97% pass rate. Overall, Wits achieved an impressive 94% pass rate, significantly outperforming the national average of 70%.
Wits also celebrated success in SAICA’s second professional qualification exam, the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Yusuf Seedat earned a Top 5 Honours pass in the December 2024 sitting—another proud moment for the university.
Shaping the future of accountancy
The Margo Steele School of Accountancy remains one of Wits University’s flagship institutions. With a strong foundation in research-led teaching and a faculty deeply engaged in both academic and professional spheres, the School continues to shape the future of accountancy in South Africa.
Says Professor Jason Cohen, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, “The Faculty is exceptionally proud of all our IAC candidates. We congratulate them, along with their lecturers and tutors, for their remarkable performance.
“Our results show that Wits maintains its longstanding reputation for attracting top school leavers and producing top achievers in the IAC (previously ITC) exam who go on to become among the best CAs and top business leaders in the country and globally.
“We have an excellent relationship with SAICA and are committed to continuing to provide the highest quality teaching and learning environment for our Accounting students, producing outstanding CA candidates while continuing efforts to transform and promote access to the profession.”