For years, South Africa has experienced a steady outflow of its top Chartered Accountants (CAs), as international firms eagerly snapped up the best new talent. But for the first time in a decade, that dynamic has shifted — and for South African employers looking to hire Chartered Accountants in South Africa, this presents a rare hiring advantage.
Why more CAs are staying in South Africa – and what it means for employers
Traditionally, global players like PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG absorbed a large share of newly qualified South African CAs. But global economic shifts and reduced overseas demand have reversed the trend — creating an unusually deep local talent pool.
Here's what's changed:
-
Slower international hiring: Major UK and EU firms have pulled back on recruitment due to market uncertainty.
-
Fewer roles abroad: Economic uncertainty and reduced demand in the UK mean fewer auditors are leaving their roles — resulting in fewer vacancies for newly qualified South African CAs.
-
Smaller outbound flow: As a result, less than a quarter of the typical number of South African CAs have secured UK roles for 2025.
What this means for South African businesses:
- More top-tier CAs available locally.
- Less competition from overseas firms.
- A short-term hiring opportunity — but one that won’t last forever.
The window is open – but it’s narrow
If market conditions abroad improve, demand for South African CAs will surge again. The best candidates will leave. But right now, companies that move quickly can:
-
Secure high-performing CAs before they’re hired by competitors.
-
Fill critical finance roles without inflated salaries or bidding wars.
The hiring challenge: It's not volume–it's speed and fit
With a larger pool of available CAs, right now the challenge isn’t finding talent—it’s efficiently identifying and hiring the best candidates before they’re gone.
That’s where CAs Online helps
CAs Online is a video-enabled recruitment platform catering specifically to newly qualified South African CAs that allows employers to:
- View candidate video profiles to thoroughly screen candidates before setting up interviews.
- Filter by skillset, qualification, and experience.
- Spot top performers faster — and reach out first.
Assess candidates at a glance, reduce hiring time and ensure you don’t miss out on top talent.
Act now: The best newly qualified CAs will be off the market soon
The best CAs will always be in demand. Right now, they’re here — qualified, available, and looking to build careers locally.
This is the time to hire. Don’t miss your chance to secure high-calibre finance talent before the global market reopens and the window closes.
