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Congratulations graduates
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants recently held its annual graduation ceremony at the Westcliff Hotel, in Johannesburg. Candidates graduated from both the ACCA qualification and Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification.
Head of ACCA SA, Tonia Valis congratulated candidates on their “fantastic achievement.” “Your success is testimony to many hours of hard work and commitment,” Valis explained.
Recognising that skills become obsolete within a period of ten years, Valis urged graduates to continue learning: “I urge the affiliates, who are graduating from the ACCA qualification today, to meet the requirements of full ACCA membership as soon as possible. For those, who have completed the CAT qualification, I urge you to enroll for the ACCA qualification for enhanced career progression.”
Valis said candidates should continue to learn in different ways.” You don’t understand anything until you learnt it in more than one way,” she observed.
Tsakani Matshazi, President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) said her organisation also wishes to congratulate those who passed their exams. ABASA is fully aware of the need to bolster skills development in the accounting and auditing profession.
“This event marks a significant step in the development of highly skilled accounting professionals to service the South African economy, especially during a time when the economy is in dire need of accountants adequately qualified to help us return to positive growth”, Matshazi said.
ACCA SA recognized the top overall graduates and the first and second runner up on the ACCA qualification and the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification.
Second runner up, for the ACCA Professional Scheme, Jessy Itambi, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Itambi is currently employed by Camelsa (Pty) Ltd as a Financial Consultant. What makes his achievement so remarkable is the fact that while he took some classes, he completed a number of courses self-study.
First runner up, Elliot Khanye is employed by the British Council as a Finance Officer. Khanye also studied on his own, using BPP distance learning study materials – BPP learning media is an official publisher of ACCA study materials. “It was demanding, but because of courage and determination I managed to pull through the three years,” he informed.
For candidates who are looking for a professional accounting qualification, which is very flexible, Khanye says ACCA is a very good option. “It might mean some sleepless nights and limited leisure time, but the rewards are great after you have completed,” he remarked.
Cephas Macharika, who is currently employed by the South African Manufacturing Jewellers as an Accountant, was recognised as the Best Candidate Overall, on the ACCA qualification.
Keith Mark Harrowell was the second runner up, on the CAT qualification. Reginald Thapelo Lebaka was the first runner up, and Riette Jonker was declared the Best Candidate Overall.
Jonker, who has her own tax consulting and bookkeeping business, started studying for the qualification in 2005. She studied part-time and did not attend classes.
“It has been very hard juggling my life between my work, my studies, my husband, and later, motherhood. However, with a lot of support and hard work, I have managed to complete the CAT qualification. I feel very proud. It has shown me that if you really want something in life, and you really give your all, you can achieve anything. The next step is the ACCA qualification” she observed.
ACCA tuition providers and approved employers were also recognized. Emeritus Business College scooped up the laurels for the Best Overall performing tuition provider, and ACCA’s Gold Approved Learning Partner for Student Tuition, Forbes Lever Baker (FLB) was awarded for graduating the top ACCA performers. Gauteng Department for Economic Development was recognized as the Best ACCA Approved Employer organisation.
Valis said ACCA SA has “enjoyed incredible growth in student enrolments this year.” By the end of the year, ACCA SA expects to have achieved growth in student numbers of more than 20%.