Improved pass rate and key achievements mark the success of SAICA’s January 2025 IAC

Johannesburg, Friday 04 April 2024 – With the release of the results for the January 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC), formerly known as the Initial Test of Competence (ITC), the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has announced a 70% overall pass rate. This marks an improvement from the previous year’s overall pass rate of 67%, reflecting the effectiveness of SAICA’s initiatives aimed at supporting candidates.

For the first time in several years, the results show a significant achievement with an African male student, funded through SAICA’s Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund, making it into the prestigious Top 10 list of candidates. This marks an important milestone and highlights SAICA’s ongoing commitment to transformation within the profession.

As part of the broader structural improvements, the January 2025 IAC aligns with SAICA’s new CA of the Future Competency Framework. This updated framework reflects global trends in digital transformation and integrated thinking, focusing not only on financial but also on non-financial performance, ensuring a future-ready profession. This change in the assessment format underpins the growth seen in pass rates, particularly among previously disadvantaged groups.

Key results and observations

The overall pass rate for first-time candidates has risen to 82%, from last year’s 79%. For repeat candidates, the pass rate has improved, reaching 45%, from last year’s 17%, which is a strong indication of the positive impact of the SAICA support programme specifically designed for all repeat candidates. In total, 2 251 candidates passed the IAC, compared to last year’s 1 726.

Twenty candidates achieved 75% or more in the January 2025 IAC, therefore, passing with honours. Included in the 20 are those candidates who earned a spot in SAICA’s prestigious Top Ten candidates list.

The Top 10 candidates are:

The demographic breakdown of the results showed that 1,065 African candidates passed, an increase from the 741 successful African candidates in 2024, further demonstrating the positive impact of SAICA’s targeted support efforts.

The demographics of the January 2025 IAC results were as follows:

SAICA’s support programmes drive success
SAICA CEO, Patricia Stock CA(SA), congratulated the successful candidates, saying, “we are encouraged by the results of the January 2025 IAC sitting. The improvement in pass rates, especially the increase in successful African candidates, reaffirms our efforts to provide better access to the profession. The new assessment format is designed to better align with the future of the accounting profession, integrating skills like digital literacy and non-financial analysis. The CA of the Future Competency Framework isn’t just about passing exams; it’s about preparing candidates for the challenges and opportunities of the evolving world. Moreover, SAICA remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality in education and assessment, ensuring that candidates not only pass but also possess the depth of knowledge and skill required to succeed in an evolving profession”, Stock explained.

Stock further expressed her commendation: “I’d like to congratulate all the candidates who challenged themselves in the IAC exams. We believe that the growth in the pass rate, especially for repeat candidates, is a positive step forward, but we are aware that more can be done to ensure even greater success in the future. To those who were not successful, remember, this is not the end of your journey. Use this experience to reflect, learn, and grow. With persistence and the right support, success will come”.

About SAICA

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), South Africa’s pre-eminent accountancy body, is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading accounting institutes. The Institute provides a wide range of support services to more than 50 000 members and associates who are chartered accountants (CAs[SA]), as well as associate general accountants (AGAs[SA]) and accounting technicians (ATs[SA]), who hold positions as CEOs, MDs, board directors, business owners, chief financial officers, auditors and leaders in every sphere of commerce and industry, and who play a significant role in the nation’s highly dynamic business sector and economic development.

Chartered Accountants are highly valued for their versatile skill set and creative lateral thinking, that's why all of the top 100 Global Brands employ Chartered Accountants.

SAICA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global family that connects over 1,8 million fellow Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries. Together, we support, develop, and promote the role of Chartered Accountants as trusted business leaders, difference-makers, and advisers.

SAICA Media Contacts

Kgauhelo Dioka,
***@saica.co.za
Project Manager: Communications
SAICA Brand Division