What is the SAICA Accounting Technician SA (AT(SA)) designation?

What is the SAICA Accounting Technician SA (AT(SA)) designation?

• 07 August 2025
• Faculty News
• The Tax Faculty

What is the SAICA Accounting Technician SA (AT(SA)) designation?

The AT(SA) designation is a professional membership designation awarded by the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The underlying criteria for the designation require a work-integrated (workplace experience) component, structured to combine theoretical learning with practical job-based experience. It’s aimed at equipping individuals for entry-level to mid-level accounting roles.

What is required to apply for the AT(SA)?

To become eligible for the SAICA AT(SA) designation, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Successful completion of an NQF 5 Accounting Qualification; and
2. Meet the minimum workplace experience on any of the three routes SAICA officially

What are the requirements on the three SAICA workplace experience routes?

Route 1 – Registered Formal Learnership

This route involves completing a formal SAICA-approved learnership over a structured 12-month period. It includes hands-on training, logbook submission and tracking, mentoring, and supervised practical experience. Learners are also required to engage in work-integrated learning and successfully complete the Test of Professional Competency (TOPC) exam during or after the learnership. This structured approach is ideal for individuals who prefer structured workplace training.

Route 2 – Standard Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners with at least 24 months of documented practical experience in accounting or finance, verified through employment history and corroborator declarations, may apply for recognition without enrolling in the formal 12-month learnership. However, the workplace experience must be verifiable. In addition, are required to successfully complete the Test of Professional Competency (TOPC)

Route 3 – Extended Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This route allows learners to apply for recognition for up to 60 months (5 years) of prior accounting or finance experience, making it ideal for professionals with substantial, long-standing experience in the field. The experience must be thoroughly documented through employment history and corroborator declarations and submitted as part of an extensive Portfolio of Evidence (POE). Depending on SAICA’s verification of the workplace competencies achieved against the required competencies, successful completion of the Test of Professional Competency (TOPC) may also be required by SAICA.

Key differences between the three workplace experience routes

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Will SAICA accept prior workplace experience obtained prior to enrollment for the Certificate in Accounting (NQF5) qualification?

Yes. SAICA acknowledges and formally evaluates experience through two RPL routes. If an applicant can demonstrate substantive experience in finance/accounting roles (via detailed employment history and corroborators), that experience can count before or alongside the qualification. These RPL routes allow individuals with the necessary work history to qualify either after 24 months or with a more mature experience portfolio requiring 5 years

What experience is acceptable for SAICA?

Accepted experience includes hands-on, practical work in finance and accounting, such as

• Bookkeeping
• Payroll
• Financial record keeping
• Management of invoices, budgeting, and ledgers
• Tax and audit support

The key is that the experience in the workplace must reflect accounting or financial duties and be verifiable through documentation (e.g., logbook, role descriptions, corroborators).

Is SAICA prescriptive about the workplace experience (i.e., accredited SAICA workplace, large company/employers, industry specific, etc.)?

No. There’s no requirement to have worked with a SAICA-accredited firm or large employer. Experience may be accumulated in various workplace environments: small businesses, the public sector, NGOs, or corporate entities. What matters is the nature of the work, not the employer’s profile. RPL allows flexibility if the work history is authentic and verifiable.

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