For newly qualified Chartered Accountants, the transition from articles can feel overwhelming. After years of structured education and training, you suddenly face unlimited career possibilities – and the pressure to make the “right” choice.
Our recent webinar for 3rd year SAICA trainees titled “What Do CAs Do?” brought together five qualified Chartered Accountants (CA(SAs)) from diverse career paths to share their experiences and shed light on various post-articles opportunities. Here are the key insights from our panel discussion.
👉 Watch the full recording below to gain first-hand insights into what being a Chartered Accountant can look like beyond articles.
It’s normal not to know what you want
Graham Marais, Blue Recruiting Director, opened with a reassuring perspective: “People at your age who know what they want to do for the rest of their lives are doctors or priests. If you don’t want to be one of those, then you are in the right place.”
The reality is that most CAs change direction multiple times throughout their careers. Your first role doesn’t define your entire professional journey – it’s simply the first step in a series of career decisions.
CA career paths explored through the panelists
Internal Audit – Ronald Mudzanani
Ronald moved from external audit through secondments at SAPRO and KPMG Australia before settling into internal audit at Bidvest Commercial Products. Unlike external audit’s focus on catching errors, internal audit is about adding value and improving processes.
Key insight: Internal audit provides excellent exposure to operations, compliance, and business processes – making it valuable preparation for future CFO roles.
Financial Management – Mbali Ngubeni
After a year in group reporting at MultiChoice, Mbali transitioned to a Financial Manager role at Voltec within just one year post-articles. Her journey illustrates the difference between group reporting (consolidation-focused) and operational financial management (involved in strategy, budgeting, and day-to-day business decisions).
Key insight: Don’t limit yourself to others’ timelines – your career progression can be faster than you think if you’re willing to take calculated risks.
Treasury – Yanga Jekubeni
Starting in SMME funding before moving to R&B as a transaction manager, Yanga eventually found her sweet spot as a Treasury Accountant at First Rand. Treasury functions as the “financial heartbeat” of organizations, managing capital, liquidity, and regulatory compliance.
Key insight: Banking and financial services offer diverse specialisations, but entry often requires strategic positioning through roles like product control.
FP&A (Financial Planning & Analytics) – James Macgregor
After completing articles in the UK, James returned to South Africa to join Kendall Investment Partners in an FP&A role. This involves building financial models, supporting capital raising, and providing strategic advisory services to businesses.
Key insight: FP&A is evolving from traditional budgeting to strategic advisory work, requiring strong Excel and modeling skills.
Deal Origination – Jason Vermaak
Starting in PwC deals before moving to Challenger as a Deal Originator, Jason’s role involves sourcing and evaluating trade finance opportunities. This client-facing position combines financial analysis with business development skills.
Key insight: Sales skills are crucial in many “operational” roles – being closer to operations often means being closer to sales.
Practical advice for your CA(SA) journey
Invest in yourself
- Differentiate your CV through additional qualifications (FMVA for modeling roles, data analytics courses)
- Excel mastery is non-negotiable for most attractive roles
- AI proficiency is increasingly valuable
- SQL, Power BI, and data analytics skills open new opportunities.
Market realities
- The international market (UK/EU) is currently challenging with limited opportunities
- South African market remains strong and active
- Competition is fierce – approximately 3,000 CAs enter the market simultaneously.
Strategic considerations
- Your first role is a learning opportunity, not a life sentence
- Use advisory/consulting roles in your current firm as stepping stones
- Don’t chase money early – focus on skill development
- Consider entrepreneurship while your lifestyle expenses are low.
Entry strategies
For competitive fields like banking or corporate finance:
- Start with accessible entry points (product control, financial analyst roles)
- Build relevant experience before targeting ideal positions
- Network strategically and don’t self-reject from interesting opportunities.
Key takeaways
- Embrace uncertainty: Don’t panic if you don’t have it all figured out just yet. Careers evolve in steps, not in one big decision.
- Apply with confidence: Let HR reject you; don’t reject yourself. Use your first few years after articles as an extension of learning and growth. Explore opportunities, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
- Prioritise learning: Skills and experience compound over time. Build transferable skills such as problem-solving, business acumen, and communication – these will carry you across industries.
- Focus on people: Networking and mentorship are critical. Many panelists credited career breakthroughs to connections made early on.
- Stay flexible: Be willing to pivot when opportunities don’t align with expectations.
The changing CA market landscape
The CA qualification opens doors across industries and functions, but it is different today from what it was in the past. More roles now require agility, adaptability, and commercial awareness. Employers value CAs who can think strategically, not just technically. The one thing that has remained consistent, is that the CA(SA) designation is a “passport” to a wide range of industries and roles. Whether you’re drawn to traditional finance roles, emerging data analytics positions, or entrepreneurial ventures, the analytical and business skills you’ve developed provide a strong foundation.
Remember: there’s no single “correct” path. The most successful CAs often have diverse experiences that complement each other over time. Trust the process, invest in your development, and remain open to opportunities that challenge and grow your capabilities.
Watch the full webinar recording below.
Interested in exploring your post-articles options? Blue Recruiting specialises in placing CAs in roles that match their skills and ambitions.
View our job search page for available opportunities or contact us to chat to one of our experienced recruitment consultants.
