Accounting graduates pursuing the Chartered Accountant route can apply for the National Treasury Chartered Accountants Academy Programme 2027, a three-year full-time training contract designed to develop future CA(SA) professionals within the public sector.
Trainees will gain exposure to financial management transformation, policy development and professional accounting work while building the technical and professional competencies required for Chartered Accountancy. The programme places successful candidates at participating offices in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Applications close on 2 October 2026 at 12:00 midday.
What does the Chartered Accountants Academy offer?
The programme provides a three-year full-time training contract for prospective Chartered Accountants.
Trainees develop the Professional Values, Attitudes and Acumens required within the CA(SA) profession while gaining practical public-sector experience.
The structure is designed to connect formal accounting education with real financial-management responsibilities inside government.
Who can apply?
Applicants need a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) or an equivalent qualification that meets SAICA requirements to write the Initial Assessment of Competence in January 2027.
This makes the programme suitable for accounting graduates who have reached the stage where they can begin the professional training component of the Chartered Accountant qualification.
What experience can trainees gain?
Trainees are exposed to public-sector financial management and policy work while developing both technical and professional competencies.
The programme specifically gives participants an opportunity to contribute to:
- Financial management transformation
- Policy development initiatives
- Professional accounting work
- Public-sector finance
- Technical CA competencies
- Professional values and judgement
National Treasury describes the programme as part of its effort to address finance and accounting skills shortages in the public sector.
Why is public finance experience valuable for a CA?
Public finance gives Chartered Accountants exposure to how government manages budgets, reporting, financial controls and policy decisions.
That experience can support careers in areas such as:
- Public finance
- Financial management
- Accounting
- Governance
- Risk management
- Financial reporting
- Policy analysis
- Audit and assurance
- Treasury management
The programme can therefore appeal to candidates who want a CA career that extends beyond traditional audit firms.
What professional skills are developed?
The CAA focuses on more than technical accounting knowledge.
Participants are expected to build the professional values, attitudes and business judgement required in the CA profession.
This can include skills in:
- Professional judgement
- Ethics
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Stakeholder engagement
- Financial analysis
- Problem-solving
- Accountability
These capabilities are important for accountants who want to progress into management, advisory or leadership roles.
Where are trainees placed?
Successful candidates can be allocated to participating offices in:
- Pretoria
- Johannesburg
- Cape Town
- Durban
Applicants should therefore be prepared for placement in one of these locations.
Which documents are required?
The official 2027 advert requires applicants to attach:
- CV
- Grade 12 certificate
- Tertiary certificates, where available
- South African ID
- Application form
- Full official academic record
Applicants should make sure the documents are complete and legible before submitting the application.
How do you apply?
Applications must be submitted through the National Treasury e-Recruitment system.
Apply through National Treasury Graduate Recruitment
The official programme page confirms that applications for the 2027 Chartered Accountants Academy are currently open.
Applicants can also review the official programme advert:
View the official 2027 CAA advert
When do applications close?
Applications close on 2 October 2026 at 12:00 midday. National Treasury’s recruitment system removes vacancies at midday on the stated closing date, so applicants should not leave submission until after 12:00.
Candidates who have not received feedback within three months after the closing date should regard their application as unsuccessful.
