- CAREERS AND QUALIFICATIONS WITHIN ACCOUNTING BURSARIES
- AUDITING BURSARIES FOR 2027
- CHARTERED ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2027
- FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2027
- FINANCE & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BURSARIES FOR 2027
- GENERAL ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2027
Accounting bursaries can help South African students fund qualifications in Accounting, Auditing, Chartered Accounting, Financial Accounting, Finance and Financial Management. Opportunities are available for different study levels, but each bursary has its own requirements, approved fields of study and application dates.
Use the sections below to find bursaries according to the career or qualification you want to pursue, rather than searching only by bursary provider.
See all bursaries OPEN for application here
CAREERS AND QUALIFICATIONS WITHIN ACCOUNTING BURSARIES
An Accounting qualification can lead to many different careers. Your required qualification depends on the career you want to enter, while professional careers such as Chartered Accountancy may require additional academic study, practical training, examinations and professional registration.
The table below gives students a quick way to compare common accounting and finance careers with the qualifications typically used to enter them in South Africa.
| CAREER | TYPICAL QUALIFICATION IN SOUTH AFRICA | ESTIMATED ENTRY-LEVEL SALARY |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | BCom Accounting | R12,000–R20,000/month |
| Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) | BCom Accounting + Postgraduate Qualification + SAICA pathway | R25,000–R40,000/month* |
| Auditor | BCom Accounting / Auditing | R12,000–R20,000/month |
| Internal Auditor | BCom Accounting / Internal Auditing | R15,000–R22,000/month |
| Financial Accountant | BCom Accounting | R15,000–R22,000/month |
| Management Accountant | BCom Management Accounting | R15,000–R25,000/month |
| Tax Practitioner | BCom Accounting / Taxation | R12,000–R20,000/month |
| Forensic Accountant | BCom Accounting / Forensic Accounting | R15,000–R25,000/month |
| Financial Analyst | BCom Finance / Accounting / Economics | R15,000–R25,000/month |
| Financial Manager | BCom Accounting / Finance | R20,000–R30,000/month |
| Risk Analyst | BCom Finance / Accounting / Economics | R15,000–R25,000/month |
| Investment Analyst | BCom Finance / Economics / Investment Management | R15,000–R25,000/month |
| Bookkeeper | Diploma in Accounting / Bookkeeping | R8,000–R14,000/month |
| Finance Officer | BCom Accounting / Finance | R12,000–R18,000/month |
| Compliance Officer | BCom Accounting / Finance / Law | R12,000–R20,000/month |
Salary figures are indicative South African estimates and can vary according to employer, location, qualification, professional status and experience. Professional and managerial positions may require additional training or experience, so the figures should not be interpreted as guaranteed starting salaries.
This distinction is important when comparing Accounting careers. A student can begin with an Accounting or Finance qualification and later specialise in areas such as auditing, Chartered Accounting, taxation, financial analysis, management accounting, risk or investment.
AUDITING BURSARIES FOR 2027
Auditing focuses on examining financial information, records, systems and controls to determine whether they are accurate and comply with applicable requirements. Students interested in auditing may enter the profession through Accounting, Auditing or related qualifications and may need additional professional training depending on their intended career path.
Accounting and auditing bursaries that may be relevant to students pursuing this field include:
- Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Bursary
- BDO South Africa Bursary
- Deloitte Bursary
- EY Bursary
- KPMG Bursary
- PwC Bursary
- City of Cape Town Bursary
- Department of Tourism Bursary
- Provincial Treasury Bursaries
- Municipality Bursaries that support Accounting or Auditing
Not every bursary listed above will fund every Auditing qualification or study level. Check the individual bursary page for the exact fields of study, academic requirements, institution requirements and application period.
CHARTERED ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2027
Chartered Accounting is a professional accounting pathway that can lead to the CA(SA) designation. Students interested in this route should choose their academic programme carefully and confirm that it supports the relevant professional requirements.
Unlike a general Accounting degree, the CA(SA) route involves more than simply completing an undergraduate qualification. Students may need to complete the required academic studies, professional assessments and practical training before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Bursaries that may support students pursuing Chartered Accounting studies include:
- A2A Kopano Inc. Bursary
- Altech Bursary
- Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Bursary
- BDO South Africa Bursary
- City of Cape Town Bursary
- Deloitte Bursary
- Education Empowerment and Development Fund (EEDF) Bursary
- EY Bursary
- FEMEF Mike Ilsley Memorial Scholarship
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary
- Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Bursary
- Institute of Management Accounting and Strategy (IMAS) Bursary
- ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary
- KPMG Bursary
- Nestlé Future Talent Bursary
- SAICA Thuthuka Bursary
- Samancor Chrome Bursary
- Schoeman Coetzee Bursary
- Shoprite Bursary
- SizweNtsalubaGobodo Bursary
- SNG Grant Thornton Bursary
- Tegkor / Nelson Mandela University Bursary
- WIPHOLD Bursary
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2027
Financial Accounting focuses on recording, classifying and reporting financial transactions. Students in this field learn how financial information is prepared and presented for organisations, management and other stakeholders.
If you are specifically looking for Financial Accounting bursaries, check whether the bursary provider lists Financial Accounting, Accounting Sciences, Accounting or a related qualification among its approved fields of study.
- Assmang Manganese Bursary
- Breede Valley Municipality Bursary
- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
- Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary
- Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Bursary
- Johannesburg Water Bursary
- Limpopo Provincial Treasury Bursary
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- Musina Local Municipality Bursary
- Rand Water Bursary
- Samancor Chrome Bursary
- UNISA BANKSETA Bursary
- West Coast District Municipality Bursary
FINANCE & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BURSARIES FOR 2027
Finance and Financial Management overlap with Accounting but provide additional pathways into areas such as financial analysis, corporate finance, investment, financial planning, risk and organisational financial management.
Students interested in these careers should look beyond bursaries that use the word “Accounting” and also consider programmes that list Finance, Financial Management, Investment Banking, Applied Mathematics, Economics, Investment Management or related qualifications. Some bursaries listed in the Accounting category may therefore be relevant to students pursuing Finance-related careers.
- Standard Bank Bursary
- Investec Bursary
- Old Mutual Accounting Bursary
- IDC Bursary
- FASSET Bursary
- Municipal and provincial government bursaries that include Finance or Financial Management
Some Finance bursaries may also appear outside the Accounting category because providers classify Finance under Commerce or broader fields of study. Always check the approved fields before applying.
GENERAL ACCOUNTING BURSARIES FOR 2027
General Accounting bursaries are suitable for students who want to study Accounting or a closely related qualification but are not necessarily looking for a specialised Auditing, Chartered Accounting, Financial Accounting or Financial Management programme.
Depending on the provider, these bursaries may support Accounting, Accounting Sciences, Finance or other related qualifications. The exact study fields, academic requirements and funding offered differ between programmes.
- African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Bursary
- AWS Skills Development Bursary
- BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund
- BCE Foodservice Equipment Bursary
- BEKA Schréder Bursary
- Bergrivier Municipality Bursary
- Bombela Bursary
- Brand South Africa Bursary
- Mohau Capital Bursary
- British American Tobacco Bursary
- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
- Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary
- Cape Agulhas Municipality Bursary
- Standard Bank Bursary
- Investec Bursary
- Shoprite Bursary
- SAICA Thuthuka Bursary
- Samancor Chrome Bursary
- SNG Grant Thornton Bursary
The fact that a bursary appears in this general list does not mean it will necessarily fund every Accounting qualification. Always check the individual opportunity for the approved field of study, study level, institution and current application period.
Application status changes throughout the year. Check the individual bursary pages for the latest closing dates and application instructions before submitting an application.
Important: Bursary programmes, eligibility requirements, funding amounts and closing dates can change. Always verify the latest information on the individual bursary page and, where appropriate, with the bursary provider before submitting your application.
