Context to the Post qualification competency framework
The ability to adapt to change (which is happening at an unprecedented rate) is arguably one of the most important attributes that CAs(SA) will need in our digital age.
In January 2016, the founder and executive of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, said that we are entering a fourth industrial revolution; characterised by new technologies that will fundamentally alter the way in which we live, work and relate to one another. He added that technological advances such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, biotechnology and quantum computing, among others, could transform every industry in every country.
The World Economic Forum to keep abreast of the Fourth Industrial Revolution future trends
Future CAs(SA) will need a better balance between pervasive and technical skills to continue to demonstrate their professional competence” to “Future CAs(SA) will need a better balance between professional values and attitudes, enabling competencies (acumens) and technical skills to continue to demonstrate their professional competence “Future CAs(SA) will need a better balance between professional values and attitudes, enabling competencies (acumens) and technical skills to continue to demonstrate their professional competence
Refer to The World Economic Forum to keep abreast of the Fourth Industrial Revolution future trends”
The CA(SA) 2025 Post Qualifications Competency Framework, now known as the Pathways to Relevance is SAICA’s response to these changes.
It uses business and its value creation process to address professional competence needs of SAICA’s widespread membership. CAs work in public practice, industry, the public sector, academia and more. Business (including all types of organisations in the private sector and the public sector) is the common theme in the roles and responsibilities of all CAs:
This competency framework was also developed to better align competence of CAs with the escalating complexity in the business environment, globalisation, digital disruption, and increased stakeholder demands, and to restore the public’s trust in the CA profession. Thus providing a future focused view into the Career paths and associated competencies required to remain relevant beyond 2025. As such, this framework defines the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed for CA’s(SA) within their specialist career paths, of which 10 have been identified. Each career path will have its own set of competencies and denote the required level of proficiency needed to perform the role at level effectively.
The CA(SA) 2025 Post Qualifications framework is easy to navigate. Hover over each element for additional information.
COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK
Enabling competencies
These are essential skills that influence the ways that CAs work, ways that they think, ways they are living in the world, and the tools that they use in the workplace. Enabling competencies are pervasive to a CA’s work and behaviour and are transversal, to be used effectively across different environments, functions and roles. Enabling competencies allow a CA to function as a competent professional accountant in business (seen as a digital environment), by displaying decision-making and relational acumens. The basis of enabling competencies is set during the education programme, while these are further built on with professional growth during the training programme, and which form the foundation for a strong life-long learning ethic.
Professional values and attitudes
Professional values and attitudes are defined as the professional behaviour and characteristics that identify CAs as members of the CA profession (IFAC, 2017). CAs draw on their personal and professional values and their ability to act with honesty, integrity, accountability and trustworthiness to demonstrate moral and ethical behaviour in the business context and to protect the public interest. As lifelong learners, CAs maintain and develop their competence in order to adapt and work in an agile way to deal with complexities.
Note: (F) denotes a key future role/ competence (**) & (#) denotes proficiency level required, please refer to the proficiency table
Technical competencies
CAs have always been renowned for their technical competence and the development of these competencies is a key aspect of the education programme. Technical competencies reflect the knowledge of CAs as professional accountants which enables them to deliver quality work in public practice, industry, the public sector, academia and more.
Note: (F) denotes a key future role/ competence (**) & (#) denotes proficiency level required, please refer to the proficiency table
ENABLING COMPETENCIES
Enabling competencies demonstrate the essential skills that influence ways that CAs work, ways that they think and tools that they use in the workplace. These comprise business, decision-making, relational and digital acumens. Enabling competencies allow a CA to function as a competent professional accountant in business (seen as a digital environment), by displaying decision-making and relational acumens. The basis of enabling competencies is set during the education programme, while these are further built on with professional growth during the training programme, and which form the foundation for a strong life-long learning ethic.
Note: (F) denotes a key future role/ competence (**) & (#) denotes proficiency level required, please refer to the proficiency table
COMPETENCY LEVELS
CAs are expected to demonstrate competence at defined levels of proficiency. Four levels of proficiency (ranging from 1 (the lowest) to 4 (the highest)) are explained in this section and cover competency development from foundational to expert levels.
A proficiency level is specified for each of the professional values and attitudes, enabling competencies and technical competencies. As well as a view to progression through these levels
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