Career Exhibition Empowers Accounting Students

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In keeping with its “one College-two campuses” identity, the College of Law and Management Studies hosted the Accounting Professions Day at UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses.

The event saw Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting students engage with prospective employees.

The two-day event was a response to the numerous requests made by Accounting firms who wish to recruit UKZN students studying towards a Chartered Accountancy (CA) profession, by providing vacation employment, bursary opportunities, training contracts and even fulltime job opportunities.

‘We believe that the personal interaction between the accounting companies and our students will be of mutual benefit and will strengthen relations with academic staff, students and the Accounting fraternity,’ said Career Development Officer within the Student Support Services Ms Yanga Lufundo.

Among the 21 companies that exhibited were: Rand Water, Nkonki, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Standard Bank, the National Treasury and accounting firm Deloitte.

Ms Susan Dube, the Project Manager for Youth Talent at Standard Bank said such exhibitions provide students with the necessary information that can help guide them in their career path.

‘Sometimes students study Accounting but aren’t sure if they want to take the CA route or not. They don’t know what the market is like out there. Some of them don’t know that you can complete your articles at banking institutions like Standard bank,’ said Dube.

Ms Teboho Moephudi, the Project Manager of SAICA’s university projects, said making the exhibition specifically for accounting students, makes it easier to recruit valuable employees and enables exhibitors to be better equipped to answer student enquiries.

UKZN alumnus and Trainee Accountant at Nkonki Ms Thobile Simelane, gave students positive feedback regarding their expectations when entering the working world. She shared her personal experience on how she has grown professionally and personally.

Third-year Accounting student Ms Nothando Mabaso said she thoroughly enjoyed the event as she gained knowledge on Accounting firms she didn’t even know existed. She also found out she can complete her articles before completing her Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA).

Words: Sibonelo Shinga