n Professional Accountant - Career prospects of a professional accountant : research

Abstract

The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) is rapidly gaining in popularity, and an increasing number of employers have started to take notice of the high professional quality of its members. In line with this, the number of members fearing that the Professional Accountant (SA) designation is valued less in Commerce and Industry than other professional designations in the non-auditing field seems to be diminishing. However, some members in Commerce and Industry still have the perception that companies tend to give preference to applicants with other designations over Professional Accountants (SA) even if both applicants have the required experience and qualifications for the position. There is also sometimes a perception that being a SAIPA member will result in lower salaries than those of professionals with other designations.