- The SAIPA Trainee Accountant route is essentially a 3-year learnership / articleship under SAIPA, supervised at a SAIPA-accredited firm (an “Approved Training Centre” / ATC). SAIPA+2SAIPA+2
- During the learnership you gain practical, on-the-job accounting experience (financial reporting, taxation, auditing, management accounting, law/compliance, etc.), required for eligibility to write the SAIPA Professional Evaluation (PE) exam. SAIPA+1
- Once you complete the 3-year practical experience and pass the PE exam, you can obtain the designation Professional Accountant (SA) — a recognised professional qualification in South Africa under SAIPA. SAIPA+1
✅ Who Can Apply — Eligibility Criteria (2026 Intake)
To qualify for a SAIPA trainee accountant placement, you generally need:
- A relevant degree: normally a BCom (or equivalent) accounting/financial degree from a SAIPA-accredited tertiary institution. SAIPA+1
- Your degree must include the required core subjects (or have covered equivalents) such as Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Auditing/Internal Auditing (or equivalent), and Corporate/Commercial Law. SAIPA+1
- You need to secure employment with a SAIPA-accredited firm (Approved Training Centre, or ATC). Only working under such a firm qualifies the practical learnership. SAIPA+1
- Willingness and readiness to commit to a full 3-year training contract (practical training + logbook + mentorship + assessments) under SAIPA oversight. SAIPA+2SAIPA+2
📥 What a SAIPA Trainee Contract Involves — What to Expect
As a SAIPA trainee under a firm:
- You’ll be working in real accounting roles: financial reporting, bookkeeping, tax returns, audit support, compliance, management accounting, etc. Many trainee adverts also include the handling of VAT, debtors/creditors, annual financial statements, client accounting work, etc. PKF South Africa+2www.pnet.co.za+2
- The training period is 3 years; during this time you’ll log work experience (via SAIPA logbook), receive mentorship, be supervised and regularly evaluated. SAIPA+2SAIPA+2
- After successful completion and once your PE exam is passed, you become a full member and get the Professional Accountant (SA) designation — recognized nationally and internationally (depending on reciprocal agreements). SAIPA+1
- Many firms advertising 2026 trainee intake mention entry as first-year trainees, sometimes with a stipend/salary. For example, some adverts show pay in the ballpark of R12 000–R15 000 per month for Cape Town-area trainees. Indeed+1
📝 How to Apply — Step-by-Step (2026 Intake)
Here’s a practical step-by-step plan to apply for a SAIPA Trainee Accountant position:
- Check SAIPA’s list of Accredited Training Centres (ATCs) — only firms on this list can offer valid training contracts. SAIPA+1
- Get your documents ready:
- Certified copy of your ID
- Certified copies of your academic transcripts / degree certificate (showing required accounting subjects) SAIPA+1
- CV / résumé
- Matric certificate (or equivalent) if required by the firm (some want it) PKF South Africa+1
- Apply directly to accounting firms advertising trainee / article-clerk roles under “SAIPA Trainee Accountant 2026 Intake”, using their application contacts (email or portal) as given in adverts. Example recent adverts show placements in George (Western Cape), Durbanville (Cape Town), Gqeberha, etc. www.pnet.co.za+2Adzuna+2
- Include a cover letter emphasising your academic background, motivation for accounting, readiness to commit to 3-year articleship, and willingness to learn and rotate through tasks.
- If accepted — register with SAIPA as a Trainee Member, and sign the 3-year training / learnership contract with the firm (the Approved Training Centre). SAIPA+2SAIPA+2
- Complete logbook, attend mentorship/training, and at the end write the SAIPA Professional Evaluation (PE) exam to become a Professional Accountant (SA). SAIPA+1
🎯 Who Should Consider This Route — What Type of Candidate Fits Best
The SAIPA trainee-accountant route is ideal if you:
- Have a BCom (or equivalent) in Accounting / Finance / related, with all required core modules from a SAIPA-accredited institution.
- Are a newly graduated or recent graduate seeking practical, structured accounting experience rather than jumping straight into a job.
- Are willing to commit to a 3-year training contract, work under supervision, and gradually acquire competencies rather than expecting immediate senior salary/position.
- Value obtaining a recognised professional designation (Professional Accountant (SA)) rather than just “any job” — good for long-term career and mobility.
- Want to work in accounting, auditing, tax, financial management, bookkeeping, audit-support, or related fields inside firms or as a professional accountant.
⚠️ What to Know / Potential Challenges
- Competition is high — many graduates apply for a limited number of accredited training-centre positions. It helps to apply early and to multiple firms.
- Need to secure placement at an ATC — without a SAIPA-accredited firm willing to take you, you can’t register as trainee.
- Training is 3 years — you need patience, commitment, and willingness to do practical work that may start basic (bookkeeping, clerical accounting) before you progress.
- Salary/stipend may be modest at first — some adverts show lower starting pay (e.g. R12 000–R15 000/month), so be prepared financially for early years while studying / training. Indeed+1
- You need to pass the Professional Evaluation (PE) exam at the end to get full designation — success depends on academic + practical performance + exam readiness.
🔍 What’s New or Important for 2026 Intake
- There are recent 2026 adverts for trainee positions in different parts of South Africa — firms seem to be actively recruiting SAIPA trainees for the 2026 training year. www.pnet.co.za+2Adzuna+2
- The SAIPA website confirms that after degree + 3-year learnership + PE exam, you qualify as Professional Accountant (SA). SAIPA+1
- SAIPA continues to list trainee-accountant learnerships among their core professional pathways, meaning this route remains valid and recognized. SAIPA+1
