Question for the CA's Options

[Frankenstein]

My son is finishing his BComm (Acc) at Stellenbosch this year, and wants to become a CA. He is unsure about whether to do his articles in Souh Africa and then come over, or to do it here. He knows that he has to repeat certain subjects like tax and mercantile law anyway. He is on my 163 visa and will get residency when I do, so from that point of view it does not matter if he stays there for another year or two.

I would like to hear from CA's or accountants what they think the pro's and cons would be from a professional and career point of view (we know about all the other pro's and cons - that's not what I'm interested in here).

Thanks

[Willem Kruse]

Frans,

Another thing I forgot to mention. SAICA have a reciprocity agreement with ICAA that means you can register as a CA in Australia (if you are a registered CA in SA) without the need to write any exams. It used to be that you had to do Tax & Company law but that requirement was scrapped a few years ago. I registered here without having to do those subjects.

Also, if I may give my opinion, I would suggest that he rather do his articles here. I say that because the Australian tax system works quite differently to the SA one and their laws are different too. Things like payroll tax, the GST act, stamp duty etc is quite different. It would stand him in good stead and prepare him well for his career if he has that knowledge. I qualified in SA, work there many years, came to Australia and although I could register as a CA here, I kept it a secret that I was a CA because I really did not know how things worked at all. It takes many years to get to know the system (with all its peculiarities) in a new country, so I think if he is going to do practical training in SA it might be a waste of time in certain respects as he would have to re-learn many things when he comes to Australia.

Good luck with your decisions!