Accounting and finance are among the most heavily bursary-funded fields of study in South Africa, driven largely by the country’s audit firms, banks, and the ongoing demand for chartered accountants under the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). If you’re considering a BCom Accounting, Finance, or related degree, there’s a genuinely strong chance of finding funding, provided your academic results are competitive.
Who Funds Accounting and Finance Bursaries?
The major funders in this space fall into a few clear groups: the “big four” and other audit and assurance firms, which fund students specifically toward chartered accountancy; the major retail and investment banks, which fund broader finance, banking, and actuarial-adjacent degrees; and corporates across other sectors that fund finance students for internal roles in financial management, treasury, and reporting. A smaller number of private trusts also fund accounting and finance students independent of a specific employer. See our guide to types of bursaries in South Africa for how these categories compare more broadly.
SAICA-Linked Bursaries: What Makes Them Different
Bursaries aimed at producing chartered accountants are structured around the SAICA qualification pathway, meaning they typically fund not just your undergraduate BCom, but often your postgraduate CTA (Certificate in the Theory of Accounting) as well, followed by a training contract at the funding firm to complete your articles. This makes SAICA-linked bursaries some of the longest-term and most comprehensive funding commitments available in South Africa, often spanning five or more years from first year through to qualifying as a CA(SA). In return, the bond period and expectations are correspondingly significant — see our guide to bursary bonding and work-back obligations for what this typically looks like in practice.
Typical Requirements
Accounting and finance bursaries, particularly SAICA-linked ones, tend to be highly competitive, often requiring a matric average of 70% or higher, with strong results in Mathematics specifically (not Mathematical Literacy) and Accounting where it was taken as a subject. Funders also frequently assess for softer indicators of fit, such as attention to detail and analytical ability, sometimes through additional testing during the selection process. Our full guide to bursary requirements in South Africa covers the general criteria funders assess across all bursary categories.
What These Bursaries Typically Cover
Well-funded accounting and finance bursaries generally cover full tuition, registration, prescribed textbooks, and often accommodation and a living allowance, particularly for SAICA-linked programmes where the funder is investing in a multi-year qualification pathway. Some also fund board and exam fees for professional qualifications beyond the degree itself, given the significant additional cost of completing the CA(SA) pathway specifically.
Gaining Practical Experience
Many accounting and finance bursary holders complete vacation work or structured internships with their funder during their studies, which both builds practical experience and gives both parties a chance to confirm fit before the formal training contract begins. If your bursary doesn’t include this, seeking out relevant internships independently is worth considering — our internships guide is a useful starting point.
How to Apply
Accounting and finance bursary applications, particularly from the major audit firms and banks, typically open early in the year before the academic year they’re funding, and competition is intense given the volume of strong applicants relative to available spots. Our step-by-step guide to applying for a bursary covers the full process end to end, and our guide to writing a bursary motivational letter is particularly worth reading closely for this field, since panels reviewing large volumes of strong academic applicants often use the letter to differentiate between similarly qualified candidates.
You can browse current, actively updated accounting and finance bursary opportunities on our bursaries and scholarships listings page.
Considering Postgraduate Study?
If you’re already partway through your BCom and looking specifically toward funding for your Honours or CTA year, see our dedicated guide to postgraduate bursaries and funding in South Africa, which covers this stage in more detail.
This page is part of our complete guide to bursaries in South Africa. Read the full pillar guide here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What matric marks do I need for a SAICA-linked bursary?
Competitive SAICA-linked bursaries generally look for a matric average of around 70% or higher, with strong specific results in Mathematics and Accounting where applicable, though exact thresholds vary between individual funders.
Do accounting bursaries fund postgraduate study too?
Many SAICA-linked bursaries specifically do, since the chartered accountancy pathway requires postgraduate study (the CTA) beyond a standard BCom. Non-SAICA finance bursaries are more likely to cover undergraduate study only, so check each funder’s specific terms.
What happens after I complete an accounting bursary?
You’ll typically move into a training contract or articles period with the funding firm, working toward your professional qualification while employed. This period usually counts as, or overlaps significantly with, your bond or work-back obligation.
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