Top Achievers Hope to Help Relieve Shortage of Chartered Accountants

BY: .

A group of UKZN Bachelor of Commerce cum laude graduates aim to use the confidence of being top performers to help address the shortage of Chartered Accountants in South Africa.

Ms Gayathri Arnakirinathar, Mr Vaughn Naicker, Ms Romona Naidoo, Ms Kerissa Nair and Mr Nabil Patel say that although their undergraduate journey was difficult and challenging, completing it in the stipulated time and with honours has motivated them to aim higher.

‘I want to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) because of the versatility of the qualification and the wide range of career options it provides,’ said Arnakirinathar.

For Naicker the journey to Chartered Accountancy has already begun as he is currently studying towards a postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.

‘Studying towards an Accounting degree is worthwhile as there are many different types of jobs you can get, even though you have to study a little further.  I was also motivated to pursue a qualification in accounting by the fact that Chartered Accountants are in demand and it is a well-paid profession. I start my job at KPMG next year and will continue to work towards becoming a CA,’ he said.

Nair is looking forward to all the opportunities the qualification offers.

‘I was motivated to pursue a career in accountancy by the vast amount of opportunities available, both locally and internationally in an array of industries. This qualification will allow me to travel, interact with a diverse range of people and broaden my horizons while pursuing my passion,’ she said.

In preparation for her future career goals, Naidoo’s short goal is to pass her honours and do her Initial Test of Competence (ITC) in 2017.

‘I have always loved accounting at school and for me it was my passion for that field that drove me to pursue my studies in accounting.  The motivation was also strengthened by me wanting to be someone successful in society and the CA qualification will get me there,’ she said.

For Patel, seeing the contributions made by CA’s to the country is what motivated him to choose this career path. ‘My motivation for this course was encouraged by the contributions made by UKZN educated CA’s who are leaders in industry, including Stephen Saad, Mike Brown and Lwazi Bam. As well as the wide variety of career options available to CA’s in various industries.

Thandiwe Jumo