Accounting sciences interest fields (2024)

Career fields, possible job titles and work environments

The following is a list of career areas linked to accounting sciences. Click on the career field to read more about the field, possible job titles and work environments.

Remember that this information is a start for you to explore options related to specific career fields - you will need to expand your research as you continue with your studies. Download theCareer researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career decision.

• Auditing
• Financial accounting
• Forensic auditing
• Internal auditing
• Management accounting
• Taxation

Auditing

What is this all about?

Once qualified as a chartered accountant, aspiring candidates may proceed to eventually become Registered Auditors and register as such with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA). External auditing is an independent and objective assurance service that is designed to add value to the business of its clients. An external auditor identifies risks associated with a business and responds to such risks by designing and performing audit procedures to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to base the audit opinion on.

Possible job titles related to auditing

Visit the National Career Advice Portal for more information about these occupations.

• Accountant (general)
• Accounting officer
• Audit and assurance manager
• Chartered accountant (further training required)
• Chief financial officer
• External auditor (further training required)
• Financial accountant
• Lecturer (university)
• Registered auditor (further training required)

Possible work environments related to auditing

• Accounting and auditing firms
• Banks and other financial institutions
• Commerce and industry
• Educational institutions
• Insurance companies
• National Treasury
• Partnerships with other chartered accountants
• SARS
• Self-employment (entrepreneur or consultant)

Find out more about careers in this field

• Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors' career information
• How do I become a CA?
• FASSET Careers Portal
• Download theCareer researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.

Financial accounting

What is this all about?

Financial accounting focuses on bookkeeping and the preparation of financial statements. It provides learning opportunities for aspiring bookkeepers, accounting technicians, professional accountants and chartered accountants (CAs) to either start their own accounting practice, join one of the many established accounting firms or become an accountant in commerce and industry. Most of the qualifications offered are accredited by professional bodies, such as the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). However, there are further requirements to be fulfilled before these bodies will allow candidates to their respective professions.

Possible job titles related to financial accounting

Visit theNational Career Advice Portalfor more information about these occupations.

• Accountant (general)
• Accountant in practice
• Accounts clerk
• Accounting officer
• Accounting technician
• Bookkeeper
• Chartered accountant (further training required)
• Chief financial officer
• Compliance officer
• Corporate treasurer
• Cost clerk
• Cost estimator
• Credit controller
• Credit manager
• Credit or loans officer
• Finance manager
• Financial accountant
• Financial investment advisor
• Financial markets practitioner
• Forensic accountant (further training required)
• Investment advisor
• Investment analyst
• Investment manager
• Insurance risk manager
• Insurance agent
• Insurance broker
• Insurance administrator
• Lecturer (university)
• Management consultant
• Payroll clerk
• Payroll manager
• Professional accountant (further training required)
• Project accountant

Possible work environments related to financial accounting

• Accounting firms
• Banks and other financial institutions
• Commerce and industry
• Educational institutions
• Insurance companies
• National Treasury
• Partnerships with other chartered accountants
• SARS
• Self-employment (entrepreneur or consultant)

Find out more about careers in this field

• How do I become a CA?
• Becoming a CA (SAICA)
• Become a Professional Accountant
• FASSET Careers Portal
• Download theCareer researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.

Forensic auditing

What is this all about?

Forensic auditors specialise in white-collar crime, assisting in bringing white-collar criminals to justice. Graduates in financial accounting or internal auditing may specialise through further postgraduate studies to become forensic auditors.

Possible job titles related to forensic auditing

Visit theNational Career Advice Portalfor more information about these occupations.

• Forensic accountant (further training required)
• Forensic auditor (further training required)
• Forensic investigator
• Lecturer (university)

Possible work environments related to forensic auditing

• Audit companies
• Banks
• Expert witnesses in court
• Insurance companies
• Law enforcement agencies (eg Special Investigation Unit, The Hawks, Specialised Commercial Crime Unit of the South African Police, National Prosecuting Authority and The Asset Forfeiture Unit)
• Law firms
• Regulators such as the Financial Services Board and the Financial Intelligence Centre

Find out more about careers in this field

• Forensic Auditing
• FASSET Careers Portal
• Download the Career researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.

Internal auditing

What is this all about?

Internal auditing focuses on governance structures and compliance with predetermined rules and regulations within businesses. An internal auditor analyses and evaluates all activities, controls, and governance processes concerned with the operations of an organisation; reports to executive management on audit findings; and submits proposals for improvements. Once qualified, graduates will have the opportunity to register as Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) after completing a traineeship.Internal Auditors may either work in the commerce industry or work for an audit firm that renders internal audit services.

Possible job titles related to internal auditing

Visit theNational Career Advice Portalfor more information about these occupations.

• Audit technician
• Certified internal auditor (further training required)
• Controller
• Internal audit manager (further training required)
• Internal auditor (further training required)
• Lecturer (university)

Possible work environments related to internal auditing

• Accounting firms
• Banking industry
• Commerce and industry
• Financial institutions
• Government departments
• Insurance companies
• Law firms
• Public and government sectors
• Statutory bodies

Find out more about careers in this field

• Internal Auditing
• About Internal Audit
• FASSET Careers Portal
• Download the Career researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.

Management accounting

What is this all about?

Management accounting focuses on the internal accounting functions within a business, such as operating budgets, capital budgets, internal financial reporting, restructuring of businesses, take-overs, mergers, the valuation of businesses, costing and control, break-even analysis, and project accounting.

The International Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) recognises different exit levels, allowing the top-level exit graduates to be recognised as Chartered Management Accountants (CMA) after fulfilling additional requirements. Qualified management accountants may start their own financial consulting business or join large enterprises as management accountants.

Possible job titles related to management accounting

Visit theNational Career Advice Portalfor more information about these occupations.

• Chartered management accountant (further training required)
• Cost accountant
• Cost clerk
• Cost controller
• Finance manager
• Financial analyst
• Financial controller
• Financial investment advisor
• Management accountant(further training required)
• Lecturer (university)

Possible work environments related to management accounting

• Commerce and industry
• Financial institutions
• Government (local, provincial and national)
• Management consultancies
• Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)

Find out more about careers in this field

• Unisa and CIMA
• CIMA and your career
• FASSET Careers Portal
• Download the Career researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.

Taxation

What is this all about?

Taxation focuses on the preparation of a variety of tax returns for individuals and businesses. It also focuses on tax case law and the fiscal budget, providing ample opportunities for consulting on taxation matters. Graduates may start their own business as tax consultants, register as tax practitioners with the South African Revenue Services (SARS), and join the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SA IT). They may also join large corporations as a tax specialist.

Possible job titles related to taxation

Visit theNational Career Advice Portalfor more information about these occupations.

• Taxation clerk
• Tax professional (including administrator, practitioner, clerk, specialist and consultant)
• Tax technician
• Lecturer (university)

Possible work environments related to taxation

• Accounting and auditing firms
• Financial institutions
• SARS
• Self-employed
• Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)

Find out more about careers in this field

• The South African Institute of Tax Professionals
• FASSET Careers Portal
• Download the Career researchdocument to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.

Further career information

• Visit the Unisa Directorate: Counselling and Career Development website to help you plan your career.
• Explore more ways of finding informationto help you manage your career.
• Academic departments within the College of Accounting Sciences.