South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)

The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) is a professional accounting organisation committed to serving and protecting the public interest. SAIPA represents Professional Accountants (SA) in practice, commerce and industry, academia and the public sector, more than 15 000 of them according to a provider record checked in August 2026.

Registered name

South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)

Type

Professional accountancy organisation

Fields funded

Full-time BCom Accounting at public universities

Website

saipa.co.za

Email

scholarship@saipa.co.za

Born to serve small business

By 1980, South Africa’s growing small business sector needed practical accounting services rather than professional auditors. The Association of Commercial and Financial Technicians of Southern Africa (ACFT) was established in 1982 to meet that demand, and SAIPA says its goal from the start was to build accounting capacity across all racial groups and champion black accountants in a restrictive business world.

The Close Corporations Act of 1984 opened the role of accounting officer, and the body gained official recognition that November. It became the Institute of Accounting Technicians in 1986, growing from 142 founding members to almost 3 500 by 1989. Members objected that “technician” made them seem less qualified, so in 1992 it became the Institute of Financial and Commercial Accountants. In 1995 it gained full membership of the International Federation of Accountants, and SAIPA says it is one of only two South African accountancy bodies with that status.

Routes to the designation

SAIPA offers membership categories for students, trainees, accountants and tax specialists. Trainees at accredited training centres complete logbooks and sit a Professional Evaluation, which SAIPA now runs online, advising candidates to arrange their own data and backup power for load shedding. Candidates who pass receive 12 months’ complimentary membership.

The SAIPA Scholarship Programme

SAIPA’s Scholarship Programme awards a small number of fully funded scholarships each year, including one named in memory of the late Professor Rashied Small, to academically strong students from financially constrained backgrounds who want to study full-time BCom Accounting at a public university. The scholarship covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation where needed and a monthly allowance. Shortlisted applicants sit a qualifying exam and attend a panel interview, and no binding work-back is described.

Applications opened on 1 July 2026 and close on 30 October 2026.

How to research SAIPA

Compare the Professional Accountant (SA) route with the chartered accountant route, since they lead to different careers, especially in small business advisory work. Prepare for the qualifying exam by revising Mathematics and Accounting.

See also the SAICA Thuthuka bursary.