Representatives of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)) and the firm BDO visited Accounting students in UKZN’s School of Commerce with the aim being to equip them with a clearer understanding of the diverse pathways available in accountancy and prepare the candidates for decisions that will shape their future.
Conducted as a hybrid event, it brought together third-year and honours students for an invaluable opportunity to explore the professional pathway looming ahead.
ACCA, the leading global professional accountancy body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification, is widely recognised by key regulatory and professional organisations, including the Pan African Federation of Accountants; the International Federation of Accountants; the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors; the South African Qualifications Authority; the South African Revenue Service, and the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority.
This ensures that its qualifications meet global standards which empowers graduates with credentials that hold global relevance.
The session was facilitated by Ms Hlengiwe Ndlela, a senior lecturer in Auditing at UKZN, who emphasised the importance of this academic stage.
“This stage of your qualification is crucial as it shapes the decisions you make about your professional futures, laying a foundation for both competence and confidence,” she said, addressing the students.
Mr Mareka Chabedi then guided students through the ACCA qualification route, detailing the structure.
“While becoming a Chartered Accountant through ACCA ordinarily entails sitting for 13 rigorous examinations and completing an ethics module, UKZN’s BCom degree, fully accredited by ACCA, allows students to begin at the Strategic Professional level – thus a candidate needs to complete only four additional examinations,” said Chabedi.
He further outlined the modules included in these exams which stretch beyond technical knowledge to develop applied skills such as strategic thinking, leadership, complex financial analysis and robust ethical judgment.
ACCA’s suite of student resources further supports this journey through webinars, global mock exams, and examiners’ reports which shed light on marking expectations, while their YouTube channel offers preparation advice that is both accessible and practical.
Complementing these are ACCA’s repository of past examinations papers and the Study Hub – a platform offering syllabi, quizzes and structured learning tools, thus ensuring that students are not only exam ready but equipped for the challenges of professional practice.
BDO Wave, a part of BDO UK, works with ACCA as a training and support ground for individuals pursuing the ACCA qualification which offers opportunities for trainees to gain practical audit and tax experience while working towards their ACCA certification.
Audit Manager Ms Sinazo Vumazonke, spoke on BDO’s role in professional growth.
“Choosing BDO means choosing an environment where mentorship, career growth and holistic well-being are integral to your professional journey,” said Vumazonke.
The presence of ACCA trainees and Talent Acquisition specialists from BDO further enriched the event, with candid discussions on wellness, work-life balance, and support structures – reinforcing how setting clear objectives and receiving guided mentorship can drive both career fulfilment and personal resilience.
The testimonial from ACCA trainee Mr Munashe Kasirori resonated deeply: “My move from theory to practice changed my perspective in Auditing. I’ve learned to take ownership of my work, and you learn to lead. It’s a culture of mentorship where you are constantly learning. For me it was more than a job -it was a golden token,” he shared
Through this visit, ACCA and BDO provided more than professional guidance – they offered a vision of what lies ahead for aspiring accountants.
Words: Ayanda Radebe
Photograph: Supplied
