Wits graduates excel in SAICA exam, again securing top spot
These successes affirm Wits’ commitment to academic excellence and long‑standing contribution to the transformation of the Chartered Accountancy profession.
Wits graduates have once again excelled in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Assessment of Competence.
This professional examination marks a critical milestone on the path to qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa.
Sanjika Gamlath Senarathne from the Wits Margo Steele School of Accountancy secured the number one position in the country and an Honours pass. Lungisa Makhosi also attained an Honours pass, further affirming the calibre of Wits graduates.
These successes affirm Wits’ commitment to academic excellence and long‑standing contribution to the transformation of the Chartered Accountancy profession. The School continues to play a leading role in developing a significant number of Black African Chartered Accountants while simultaneously delivering academic excellence.]
The School’s Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund (TEUF) candidates secured an impressive 87% pass rate (compared to an average national pass rate of 80%) with Margo Steele Bursary candidates recorded an outstanding 90% pass rate. Overall, Wits attained a remarkable 88% pass rate, surpassing the national average of 65% by 23 percentage points.
“These achievements underscore the success of the University’s professional accountancy programme in delivering excellence whilst advancing diversity,” says Prof. Zubair Wadee, Head of the Margo Steele School of Accountancy at Wits University.
The following table highlights Wits’ exceptional performance compared to national averages as per SAICA’s press release:
Group Wits Pass Rate National Pass Rate
All candidates’ pass rate 88% 65%
All African candidates’ pass rate 86% 57%
All Coloured candidates’ pass rate 100% 65%
All Indian candidates’ pass rate 91% 60%
All White candidates’ pass rate 100% 83%
“These results are commendable given the socioeconomic challenges faced by students and broader challenges in higher education,” adds Wadee. “The Margo Steele School of Accountancy remains one of the university’s flagship institutions, driven by a steadfast commitment to both excellence and transformation.”
About the Wits Margo Steele School of Accountancy
The School distinguishes itself through cutting-edge research that informs teaching and ensures that Wits graduates are equipped to lead the South African economy into the next century. With a faculty actively engaged in both academia and the profession, Wits continues to set the benchmark for accountancy education in the country and to develop graduates equipped to lead the country’s economy into the future.
The story first appeared on the Wits University Website.
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