CA Training (CAT) Programme - Background
Training of accountants is critical both for Transnet and the country
as a whole. South Africa has a shortage of accountants especially
black accountants. Transnet has accepted the responsibility to
develop the scarce skills in light of the greater objectives of the
country. The CA Training (CAT) Programme in Transnet is a
strategic intervention to train prospective Chartered Accountants to
meet the skills requirements of South Africa in the Accountancy field.
Transnet has been an accredited training office with the South African
Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) from 1997.
About our Programme
The CAT Programme at Transnet is a three year learnership programme
for candidates who have a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA)
/ B Compt Hons or equivalent.
The stringent requirements of SAICA demand that trainees receive
extensive training in
Financial Management,
Management Decision-Making, Financial Accounting, Internal Audit &
Corporate Governance, Auditing & Assurance and Taxation.
This also includes the professional skills like
interpersonal & communication skills, intellectual skills, personal
skills, and organizational & management skills.
In Transnet, the trainees will be rotated to the head office and
several of its business units, e.g. Transnet National Ports Authority,
Transnet Pipelines, Transnet Freight Rail, etc. The rotation will
be tailored to meet the needs of the trainee and the respective business
unit, with the trainee spending at least one-third of the practical
training in one business.
The training programme matches the depth of the SAICA syllabus
requirements with a wide business exposure.
Our SAICA Elective Skills:
Transnet has elected the Financial Management and Management Decision-Making as its Elective Skills based on Transnet’s business and industry.
Our Selection Criteria
The minimum entry requirement is the Certificate in Theory of
Accounting (CTA) and each applicant must also demonstrate:
Consistent progress in their accountancy studies, Strong verbal communication skills, and Analytical ability
Training Support
Transnet will offer its trainees industry level support to ensure
their success in the programme.
The training programme will provide for:
Study leave for the board exams; Supplementary courses; General business management training; Exam technique courses, revision courses for the board exams;
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Assessments.
About Mentorship
Trainees are assigned mentors from the CA’s within the Transnet
Group. These mentors have volunteered their time, passion and
dedication to the success of the programme and the trainee accountants.
They provide leadership, empowerment, guidance and advice to trainee
accountants on their career path.
About Supervision
Supervisors are the line managers who ensure that training takes
place. They are responsible for the day to day training,
workstation, timesheet and leave authorization, and attendance of
assessment meetings. They also provide career guidance to
trainees.
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The Transnet Chartered Accountants Training Programme is cultivating a
generation of highly competent and confident accountants who are ready to tackle
any challenge. Meet some of the programme’s star performers.
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 ANEESA
NASSAR
Why accounting?
I have always been
interested in business and being a CA allows
one to be in the heart of the business world.
The scope of this career path is excellent,
especially since CAs are a scarce resource.
What do you like most about your job?
I love
the fact that I am exposed to different areas
of the business and that I get to interact with
various colleagues. The environment here at
TPT is fantastic, the work is interesting and
my colleagues are always ready to teach and nurture. I get to learn something new every
day. I also enjoy going to the terminals where
I get to see the actual operations, the scale
of which is incredible
"At Transnet, you are in a business that plays a
major part in the economy of South Africa."
How has this training made a difference?
It’s hard to explain what a great opportunity
this is. At Transnet, you are in a business that
plays a major part in the economy of South
Africa. Being a part of this environment
affords you insight into how critical the
functioning of the company is in the Country.
Working and studying is hard. How have you
managed both?
I think you have to keep your
eye on the finish line. It’s a long road but I
always remember that it’s all worth it. I think
if anything is worth having it's worth working
hard for.
Your advice for any future accountants?
Work hard at your studies, put in the hours,
make the sacrifices and you will reap the
benefits.
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THANDWA SIYAYA
How did you get into accounting?
When I
finished matric in 2002, I did not do as well
as I had hoped and was very disappointed
and angry with myself. So much so, that I
was convinced that this career was just not
for me. But one of my high school teachers
believed in me and motivated me not to give
up. During my first year at university, I did
a foundational mathematics course, which
really helped me because I ended up doing
very well in accounting in my first year.
"I am so confident in the training
I am getting here at Transnet that I don’t fear doing any job any more."
What do you like most about your job?
There’s always a challenge. It doesn’t matter what I do, I always have to think
about it. I also like the fact that
I get paid well for all my thinking
and that I am always learning
something new.
Black CAs are scarce in this
Country. How do you feel about
this training opportunity?
I am
so confident in the training I am
getting here at Transnet that
I don’t fear doing any job any
more. I feel like I can tackle any
challenge thrown my way.
Any words of wisdom?
You often
hear stories about how tough
the CA examinations are. This
is true, but you must persevere.
I repeated my Certificate in
Theory of Accounting three
times but I never gave up. You
need to persist and tell yourself
that you can do it. Never give up
on your dream.
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THULANI ZULU
What made you choose this career?
I believe it chose me! When I was in high school, I never had a problem with mathematics and accounting. I researched a few careers and chartered accountancy seemed most challenging.
"Never let your background determine your
future, but let it be a motivation for you to
get to where you want to be."
What's the best thing about your
job?
The pressure and the stress
when I have to deliver on certain
projects! I also enjoy being able to
push myself beyond my own limits.
What does this opportunity mean to you?
I feel very blessed and
would like to stay involved in the
programme to create the same
opportunity for another young
Thulani out there.
What has kept you going through
the hard slog of working and
studying at the same time?
Prayer
is the most effective factor for me, and knowing that I have set certain goals
also keeps me motivated.
What's your advice to prospective
CAs?
First, establish if this is really
what you want to do. This journey
is long and has many curves, but
with hard work, perseverance
and faith in yourself and God, you
will be successful. Never let
your background determine your
future, but let it be a motivation
for you to get to where you want
to be.
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