Best Bursaries for Chartered Accountant in South Africa
They Will Fund Your Entire CA Journey — Here Are the Best Bursaries for Chartered Accountant in South Africa You Cannot Afford to Miss
A Chartered Accountant in South Africa earns between R150,000 and R780,000 per year — and at CFO level, that figure crosses R1.5 million. It is one of the most financially rewarding professional qualifications on the African continent. But the road to CA(SA) is long, demanding, and expensive — a BCom degree, a CTA postgraduate qualification, a three-year training contract, and two board exams.
The good news? You do not have to fund that journey alone. Some of South Africa’s most powerful companies — and the CA profession’s own governing body — offer substantial bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa specifically to bring talented students through the pipeline faster. This article covers every major funder, what they pay for, who qualifies, and how to apply with precision.
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Understanding the CA(SA) Pathway First
Before exploring bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa, it helps to understand what you are being funded for. The CA(SA) designation, administered by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), requires four sequential stages:
Stage 1 — Undergraduate degree: A BCom Accounting (CA stream), BAcc, or BCompt at a SAICA-accredited university. This takes three to four years.
Stage 2 — Postgraduate qualification: The Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) or Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) at NQF Level 8. One additional year.
Stage 3 — Training contract (articles): Three years of supervised practical training at a SAICA-accredited training office — a firm, company, or government entity.
Stage 4 — Board exams: The Initial Test of Competence (ITC) followed by the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
Most bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa fund Stage 1 and 2. Many also include a guaranteed training contract for Stage 3 — meaning you enter articles the moment you graduate, with no job-hunting gap.
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1. The Thuthuka Bursary Fund — SAICA’s Own Programme
The Thuthuka Bursary Fund is the most purpose-built of all bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa. Established in 2005 by SAICA itself, Thuthuka specifically targets Black African and Coloured students from disadvantaged communities who want to become CAs(SA).
What sets Thuthuka apart is its holistic model. It does not just pay fees. It wraps full financial support around a structured student development programme that includes:
– Tuition fees, accommodation, meals, books, and residence fees
– Academic enrichment through additional tutorials and study skills workshops
– Dedicated programme manager support
– Mentorship from experienced Chartered Accountants and business leaders
– Exposure to CA firms and corporates throughout your undergraduate years
This is the closest thing to a guaranteed pipeline into the CA profession for students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds — and it remains one of the most underutilized bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa simply because many students do not know it exists.
Who qualifies: Black African and Coloured South African students with demonstrated financial need, accepted or enrolled at a SAICA-accredited university for a BCom Accounting or equivalent CA stream degree.
Apply at: saica.org.za/thuthuka
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2. KPMG Chartered Accountant Bursary
KPMG South Africa offers two distinct bursary categories for aspiring CAs — making it one of the most flexible bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa available from the private sector.
Pure Merit Bursary: Awarded entirely on academic performance. No financial need assessment. If your marks are strong and you want recognition for that, this is the route.
Merit with Financial Need Bursary: Combines academic performance with demonstrated household financial constraints. For students who are academically competitive but cannot self-fund.
Who qualifies:
– South African citizen
– Currently in matric or tertiary study toward a SAICA-accredited CA qualification
– Studying full-time only
– Completing your degree in the minimum number of years — no splitting years across two academic periods
– Strong overall academic average
The critical detail: You must apply for a KPMG Training Contract first, receive your Taleo reference number, and then apply for the bursary using that reference. You cannot skip the training contract step — the bursary and articles are deliberately linked.
What it covers: Tuition and related academic costs at KPMG’s discretion, plus a structured training contract once studies are complete.
Apply at: kpmg.com/za → Careers → Bursaries | Closing date: 30 October annually
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3. Shoprite Group Accounting Bursary (CA Stream — SAICA)
The Shoprite Group — one of Africa’s largest retail employers — runs a targeted bursary programme for students on the CA track. This stands out among bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa because Shoprite is not an auditing firm. It funds CAs for a corporate environment, which suits students who want their career in business rather than professional services.
Who qualifies:
– South African citizen aged 27 or younger
– Registered for BCom Accounting or BAcc (CA stream) at a recognised university
– Currently in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year, or studying towards PGDA/CTA
– Minimum academic average of 65%
What it offers beyond funding: Mentorship, academic support, and practical exposure through the Shoprite SAICA Trainee Accountant Programme. Bursary holders rotate across different business areas so their training aligns with SAICA learning outcomes in preparation for the APC.
Important: Applications sent via email are not accepted. You must apply through the official online portal only.
Apply at: shopriteholdings.co.za → Careers section
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4. Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Bursary
The AGSA bursary is one of the most structured and well-defined bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa in the public sector. The Auditor-General’s office funds students specifically for Chartered Accountancy studies and ties funding directly to a training contract (articles) with AGSA upon graduation.
Who qualifies:
– South African citizens only
– Studying or intending to study BCom Accounting (CA stream), BAcc, or BCompt full-time
– At a SAICA-accredited university
– Must obtain at least 60% in English
– Demonstrated academic strength
What it covers: Tuition fees, university accommodation, meals, and books — one of the more comprehensive public-sector packages available.
The work-back: Bursary holders serve articles with AGSA upon completing studies. For students interested in public sector accountability and government audit work, this is a natural and meaningful pathway.
How to apply: Register your profile on the AGSA careers portal first. Documents must be uploaded in PDF format, not exceeding 2MB per file. If documents are uploaded incorrectly, the system deletes them — so read the instructions carefully before submitting.
Apply at: agsa.co.za → Careers → Graduate Recruitment → Bursaries
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5. Sanlam CA Training Programme and Bursary
Sanlam takes a slightly different approach. Their focus falls on the postgraduate level — students who have already completed their undergraduate degree and hold a CTA or equivalent NQF Level 8 qualification. The Sanlam CA Training Programme is a three-year, SAICA-accredited, fully paid training contract.
For students still in their undergraduate years, Sanlam also offers postgraduate bursaries that guarantee placement into this training programme upon successful completion of CTA.
Who qualifies for the training programme:
– Completed CTA or equivalent SAICA-recognized postgraduate qualification (NQF Level 8)
– Minimum academic average of 60%
– Preference for recent graduates with limited permanent work experience
– Basic Microsoft Office knowledge is helpful but not essential
– Leadership experience through university or community involvement is considered
What it offers: Market-related salary, comprehensive benefits package, rotations between Cape Town, Johannesburg, and other provinces, and full SAICA articles accreditation toward CA(SA).
Closing date: 31 May 2026 for the current intake.
Apply at: sanlam.co.za → Careers
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6. National Treasury Bursary — Chartered Accountant Academy (CAA)
The National Treasury funds students in Accounting, Economics, Taxation, and Internal Audit through its own bursary scheme — specifically targeting fields critical to South Africa’s public financial management system.
The Treasury’s Chartered Accountant Academy (CAA), previously known as the TOPP Programme, provides postgraduate students with a training contract that leads to CA(SA) qualification within a government environment. This is one of the most unique bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa because it places you at the heart of national financial policy rather than in a commercial firm.
Who qualifies:
– South African citizen
– Studying or intending to study Accounting at a recognized South African university
– Strong academic performance
How to apply: Complete the CAA application form from treasury.gov.za and submit with your certified ID copy, CV, and full academic transcripts to: [email protected] — or post to: HR Specialist, National Treasury, 240 Madiba Street, Pretoria, 0002.
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MTN CA Programme — Corporate Training Route
MTN established a CA programme in partnership with SAICA, available to both internal employees and external graduates. This is one of the more competitive bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa in the telecommunications sector.
It is designed for students who want to complete their training contract inside a large corporate rather than an audit firm — a route that suits future CFOs and financial directors in the business world.
Check MTN’s official careers portal for current intake cycles and application requirements, as these vary annually.
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Documents You Need for Every Application
Regardless of which funder you approach, these certified documents are required across virtually every bursary for chartered accountant in South Africa application:
– Certified copy of your South African ID
– Latest full academic transcripts (all completed years)
– Proof of university registration or acceptance (at a SAICA-accredited institution)
– Matric certificate with Mathematics results clearly visible
– Parent or guardian proof of income (payslips, affidavit if unemployed)
– Motivational letter — typed, specific, and honest
– Proof of South African citizenship (for AGSA and other public-sector funders)
For KPMG: You specifically need your Taleo reference number from the training contract application before the bursary form is available.
For AGSA: All uploads must be PDF format, maximum 2MB per file.
For Shoprite: Online portal only — no email submissions.
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What Makes a Winning CA Bursary Application
Every year, thousands of students apply for bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa and the majority are rejected — not because they lack ability, but because their applications are generic and incomplete.
Here is what separates shortlisted applicants:
Your marks matter — but so does your trend. A 65% average that is improving year-on-year tells a better story than a 70% average that is declining. Show your trajectory in your motivation letter.
Connect your goals to the specific funder. A student applying to AGSA who writes about wanting to strengthen public accountability sounds authentic. A student who submits the same letter to KPMG, Shoprite, and AGSA sounds like they do not care who funds them. Research each company and tailor each letter.
Declare your Mathematics background. Every CA bursary funder cares about your Mathematics results. Mention your matric Maths mark and your tertiary Financial Accounting results explicitly — do not make reviewers dig through transcripts to find them.
Apply in your second year, not your first. Most bursaries target 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students because funders want evidence of tertiary academic performance, not just matric potential. If you are in first year, focus on maximizing your marks now so you enter the application pool strongly in year two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I hold a KPMG bursary and a Thuthuka bursary simultaneously?
Typically no. Most bursary agreements require you to declare all existing funding, and holding two bursaries from competing funders usually violates both contracts. Always disclose.
Q: Do I have to article at KPMG if they fund my degree?
Yes. The KPMG bursary is explicitly linked to a training contract with KPMG. If you complete the degree and do not article with them, a repayment obligation applies.
Q: What if I fail a year — does the bursary get cancelled?
Most bursaries have academic progression conditions. Failing or splitting a year typically triggers a review and may result in suspension of funding or a repayment clause. Read your contract before signing.
Q: Are there bursaries for postgraduate CA studies only?
Yes. Sanlam’s postgraduate bursary and the National Treasury’s CAA programme specifically fund the CTA level and training contract stages for students who have already completed their undergraduate degree.
Q: Is the Thuthuka Bursary only for students from Gauteng?
No. Thuthuka is a national programme available to qualifying Black African and Coloured students at any SAICA-accredited university across South Africa.
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Final Thoughts
The CA(SA) designation opens doors globally — and the path to getting there is more financially supported than most students realise. From SAICA’s own Thuthuka Fund to the Big Four audit firms, major retailers, national government, and telecoms giants, bursaries for chartered accountant in South Africa exist at every stage of the journey.
The students who secure them are not always the most brilliant in the room. They are the ones who applied early, prepared their documents correctly, wrote tailored motivation letters, and targeted the right funders for their specific goals.
Start with Thuthuka if you qualify. Add KPMG, AGSA, and Shoprite to your list. Apply before every closing date — not on it. And remember: a CA qualification earned on someone else’s funding is no less valuable than one you paid for yourself. What matters is that you finish
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Disclaimer: Bursary values, requirements, and closing dates are reviewed annually. Always verify current information directly on each organisation’s official website before submitting your application.