For decades, the classic career path for South African Chartered Accountants (CAs) has been predictable: qualify in audit, then move into commerce. That path remains strong. but in 2025, more finance professionals are adding a new chapter: stepping into pan-African roles that stretch beyond our borders.
From Nairobi to Lagos, Lusaka to Accra, South African-trained CAs are being called on to bring order, governance, and strategic insight into fast-growing markets.
The Reality
- Commerce still wins: Nearly half of South Africa’s Chartered Accountants (CAs) build their careers in commerce and industry rather than staying in audit – a long-standing trend that continues to shape the profession.
- Competence is rising: In June 2025, SAICA reported ongoing advancement in the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) results, with improved pass rates and inclusivity: proof that the pipeline of new CA(SA) candidates is not only growing but becoming more future-ready.
- Brain drain persists: South Africa has consistently lost around 20,000 skilled professionals to emigration annually since the 1990s, contributing to talent scarcity at home even as regional mobility into African hubs is on the rise.
The Human Angle
I recently spoke with a newly qualified CA who expected the “usual” transition – leaving audit for a stable corporate role in Johannesburg. Instead, within six months, she was seconded to Lusaka to help a regional FMCG business set up its finance function.
Suddenly she wasn’t just balancing IFRS and controls; she was learning Zambian tax law, leading a multi-cultural team, and adapting to a market where consumer growth was outpacing infrastructure.
Her words stuck with me: “In audit I mastered the rules. In Africa, I’m learning how to lead beyond them.” It’s a reminder that while South Africa may lose some professionals abroad, many are choosing mobility within Africa – keeping their skills, influence, and networks tied to the continent.
The Leadership Play
For CFOs, CEOs, and CHROs, this shift is an opportunity, but it requires support structures that match the complexity of pan-African careers.
- Equip for cross-border readiness: Technical skills alone won’t cut it. Invest in cultural agility, regulatory training, and resilience coaching for finance leaders heading into African markets.
- Build continuity at home: When top CAs take on regional roles, succession pipelines locally must be ready. Talent mapping and mentorship help avoid gaps in domestic leadership.
- Anchor mobility with support: Relocating to a new country can be exhilarating and isolating in equal measure. Provide peer networks, regional mentors, and regular leadership touchpoints to make mobility sustainable.
Something to Ponder: The CA journey is no longer linear. It’s shifting from audit → commerce → climb TO audit → commerce → Africa → global. Leaders who prepare their people for both technical and cultural complexity will be the ones to unlock growth beyond South Africa’s borders.
💬 How is your business navigating the shift from audit to Africa? I’d love to hear your experiences. Feel free to contact me at tarryn@outsidecapital.co.za
With heart, hustle & insight, T
