Bursaries for Students Wanting to Become a Chartered Accountant by BDO
BDO Spencer Steward South Africa is offering bursaries to Bachelor of Commerce students who are committed to studying chartered accounting. These are available at South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)-accredited universities in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The criteria set by the company include:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have achieved at least 70 percent in matric for Accounting, Maths and English.
- You must already be studying or at least registered for a B.Comm accounting degree at one of South Africa’s SAICA-accredited universities.
- You must want to study chartered accounting, with majors in auditing and accounting.
The deal is that if you are granted a bursary by BDO Spencer Steward, you will join the company as a trainee accountant as soon as you get your degree. You will then continue your chartered accountant studies while employed by BDO.
During the period of the bursary, students must also be available to work for the firm during their holidays.
About BDO South Africa
BDO Spencer Steward, which operates in numerous countries internationally, is regarded as a mid-size company in South Africa. Essentially it offers professional accounting and auditing services, as well as business advice. The company prides itself on being able to compete with large firms while still being able to retain the ability to “care” about clients and their needs.
The company also prides itself on keeping advice simple and maintaining an open and transparent relationship with clients.
Corporate responsibility is also top of the list for BDO, and they constantly identify projects within local communities they can become involved in,primarily in terms of funding and support. One national project, Lapdesks, involves the distribution of lapdesks to underprivileged children. These are basically portable desks that can be used on the lap of a child. Thousands of these have been given away since 2007.
BDO Bursaries
Students that are studying or who are registered to study for a South African chartered accountant qualification are invited to apply for BDO bursaries. This means that you must either be registered for a Bachelor of Commerce or equivalent degree at a university that is recognised by the SAICA. They are awarded annually according to academic merit and are limited to fees and a specified allowance for books. There is not a standardised amount available for each student, and the figures differ according to the BDO firm covering the bursary.
Bursaries are renewable each year, but it does depend on academic results, and the pass rate achieved in exams.
Ultimately, the BDO offer is in keeping with the FassetSETA mission that aims to ensure everyone working in the financial, accounting, management, consulting and other financial services sector (FASSET) has the necessary education and training to function effectively within the industry.
How to Apply for Bursaries from BDO
Information that must be supplied includes details of both school and any tertiary education completed. Printouts of results and certified copies of any qualifications and matric results must be supplied.
The applicant is expected to motivate the application and give details of personal achievements and any leadership roles that might be relevant. In addition, the company asks for information about applicants’ interests, extra-curricular activities, as well as hobbies. They want to know how these interests and activities have impacted on different people, and been of benefit.
Applicants are also required to say why they need a bursary to study and why they want to work for BDO Spencer Steward. So if you are planning to apply, you will also need to explain why you are a good candidate for the company and why you are pursuing a career in chartered accounting.
Application forms are available from the BDO website.
BDO has bursary application forms on its website.