A membership that helps you learn more to earn more

The accounting profession is an interesting one and includes a huge range of people that make their living from counting the beans. From bookkeepers to Accountants, students to financial managers and everything in between, there are many people that make their monthly salaries by dealing with finances. What should also be noted about this profession is the fact that these people don’t ever stop learning. There are many accounting and bookkeeping bodies in South Africa, and indeed the world, that offer memberships to keep their members in touch with developments in the industry and to offer opportunities to continue their studies in order to gain further insight and even to advance their qualification, allowing for better career opportunities and better pay.

One such organization is SAIBA – the South African Institute for Business Accountants, which positions itself as the gateway to the accounting profession. QuickBooks is proud to be associated with SAIBA – whose purpose it is to develop a community of successful accounting professionals who excel in their career goals. Established in 1987, SAIBA is a voluntary accounting membership body with more than 6 500 members. Members fall into membership tiers, according to experience and qualifications, and by joining their community of accounting professionals; members take the first step towards advancing their careers.

This proudly South African Institute subscribes to the values incorporated in the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights and positions itself as an open professional body. Members and potential members are treated as individuals with unique needs, values, interests and career goals. SAIBA’s purpose is to develop a community of successful accounting professionals who excel in their career goals. SAIBA therefore offers a range of memberships catering to all needs and offers further educational opportunities within these tiers to assist their members with their continuing career development.

The professional designations that SAIBA offer are as follows:

• Business Accountant (SA) – This qualification allows members to gain valuable recognition as an accounting professional and demonstrates professionalism, ethical conduct and lifelong learning. The BA (SA) provides access to a network of peers and the ability to share issues, ideas and knowledge in a confidential and innovative environment. This designation is ideal for those building their career as a financial professional and who want to enhance their career. BA (SA) is officially recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional designation.
• Certified Business Accountant –(CBA (SA)) This is for financial managers or those who have a managerial role in an accounting department. This membership allows members to gain valuable recognition as a finance professional at managerial level and to add credibility to their skills as a financial manager or senior financial accountant. The CBA (SA) is recognised in reciprocal agreements and provides access to a network of peers with whom members can share issues, ideas and knowledge in a confidential and innovative environment. This designation is ideal for those who are building their career as a financial professional and want to enhance their career. CBA (SA) is also officially recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional designation.
• CFO (SA) Chief Financial Officer – This is a gateway to becoming an international Financial Executive. The CFO(SA) certification demonstrates ones knowledge and competence as a finance executive. The designation is officially registered on the NQF providing members with government validation, thereby enhancing their career development. The designation is underpinned by an MBA based competency framework and provides exemptions to the CIMA CFO Programme giving access to the CGMA qualification. This qualification forms part of the global society of finance executives. SAIBA is the custodian of the CFO(SA)™ designation. This qualification therefore offers international opportunities to its members.
• BAP Business Accountant in Practice – This qualification allows for better salaries, better employment opportunities and recognition. As well as offering all the benefits of the other memberships of SAIBA, it also offers: SAQA registered designation, Statutory recognition as Accounting Officer, Statutory recognition as Commissioner of Oaths, Statutory recognition as Independent reviewer, Statutory recognition as a Business Rescue Practitioner, Recognition as an Accountant in Practice, Recognition as a Business Advisor, Recognition as a Management Consultant, Recognition as a Tax Practitioner through our mutual recognition agreement with SAIT and exemption to CIMA level 1 and 2.

There is no doubt that becoming a member of this kind of association offers huge benefits to its members.   Not only does this kind of membership offer the ability to advance ones qualifications, as listed above, but it also exposes members to a community of their peers – this networking can also prove to be invaluable. The key is to keep on growing and learning. Why not join SAIBA today and start benefitting from this association’s valuable offerings.

For more informations go to:SAIBA