Chartered Accountant Salary in South Africa (2026)
The CA(SA) designation is one of the most valued qualifications in South African commerce. Chartered Accountants span audit, corporate finance, financial management, and C-suite roles — with earning potential that grows dramatically with seniority.
182% above the SA employed workforce median of R 22 000/month
entryR35k
25thR62k
medianR130k
75thR250k
senior
Entry-level
R 35 000
Newly qualified (0–2 yrs post-articles)
Mid-level
R 62 000
3–7 years
Senior
R 130 000
CFO / Partner / Director (8+ yrs)
Salary by experience
R 35 000
median/mo
Entry-level
Newly qualified (0–2 yrs post-articles)
R 62 000
median/mo
Mid-level
3–7 years
R 130 000
median/mo
Senior
CFO / Partner / Director (8+ yrs)
Bar height = salary range · white notch = median · gross monthly before tax
Calculate your take-home pay
See exactly what R 62 000/month looks like after PAYE, UIF, and medical aid.
What affects Chartered Accountant salary?
Career outlook 2026
CA(SA) remains one of South Africa's most sought-after qualifications, with particularly strong demand from investment banking, private equity, and international companies.
How to qualify as a Chartered Accountant
Entry requirements, study paths, professional registration, and bursaries.
Minimum entry requirement
NSC (Matric) — Mathematics required; Accounting is an advantage
Qualification paths
BCom Accounting (3 years)
Must be from a SAICA-accredited university
CTA / Honours in Accounting (1 year)
Required for SAICA board exam eligibility — pass rate is ~50%
SAICA Training Contract (Articles)
Completed at an accredited training office (Big Four, mid-tier firms, or approved corporations)
SAICA Board Exams (ITC + APC)
ITC (Initial Test of Competence) + APC (Assessment of Professional Competence)
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
Mandatory for use of CA(SA) designation. Full SAICA membership requires completion of the BCom + CTA + articles + board exams. The full process takes approximately 8 years from matric.
Time to qualify
3 years BCom + 1 year CTA + 3 years articles + board exams = ~8 years from matric
Study costs
R35,000–R70,000/year for the degree; articles are a paid training contract (stipends range from R10,000–R20,000/month at the Big Four)
Bursaries available
The Big Four (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) offer bursaries that include a job offer upon graduation. Many JSE-listed companies also fund CA(SA) students in exchange for a service commitment
Frequently asked questions
What does a chartered accountant earn in South Africa?
A newly qualified CA(SA) typically earns R28,000–R45,000/month. Mid-career CAs earn R50,000–R85,000, while CFOs and partners at major firms earn R90,000–R250,000/month.
Is a CA(SA) well-paid compared to other qualifications?
Yes — the CA(SA) is consistently one of the top-paying qualifications in South Africa at every career stage. The earning ceiling is very high for CAs who move into executive or investment banking roles.
What is the take-home pay for a CA earning R62,000/month?
On R62,000/month gross, you'd pay around R17,800 in PAYE and R177 in UIF — giving a take-home of about R44,000/month. Use the calculator below for a precise figure.
Data source: CareerJunction 2025/2026; SAICA; Glassdoor ZA · Last updated: April 2026
Salary figures are gross monthly estimates. Individual pay varies by employer, province, experience, and negotiation.
On this page
Quick facts
- Median salary
- R 62 000/mo
- Annual (est.)
- R 744 000/yr
- Min. APS
- 24 points
- Time to qualify
- 3 years BCom + 1 year CTA + 3 years articles + board exams = ~8 years from matric
- vs SA median
- +182%