The University of Pretoria (UP) has made history with its 2020 final year group achieving an unprecedented 100% pass rate in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) April Initial Test of Competence (ITC) results.

SAICA administers two professional exams per year and the results of the first of the ITC exams were released recently. UP made history and obtained a 100% pass rate in the SAICA ITC exam for first-time writers and an overall pass rate of 99.4% for all candidates. These historically exceptional results ensure that UP retains its first place in South Africa.

The overall national pass rate in the examination was 64% (2020 – 59%). A total of 3 887 (2020 – 3 657) candidates wrote the April 2021 ITC, of which 2 507 (2020 – 2 149) passed. UP contributed 174 candidates to the April 2021 ITC.

UP’s first-time pass rate averages at 94% over a period of 15 years, making it one of the most consistent among the country’s universities.

Professor Madeleine Stiglingh, Head: Department of Accounting and the Chartered Accountancy Programme Coordinator said: “Not only did the number of African black candidates from UP increase but, for the first time ever, our pass rate for our African black, coloured and Indian students is an unprecedented 100%, and it is higher than the pass rate of the white candidates (99%). The number of African black candidates increased by 7% while the pass rate increased from 86% in 2020 to 100% in 2021. The national pass rate for all African black candidates is 52%. UP’s pass rate is not only substantially higher but UP achieved the highest pass rate in the country for our African black candidates (100%).”

Prof Stiglingh thanked the management teams of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and the University for their continued support “to enable us to empower our BCom Accounting Sciences and Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences students with everything they require to FLY not only at UP, but to FLY high when they launch into the world of work”. The FLY@UP campaign (The Finish Line is Yours) encourages students to complete their qualifications within the minimum prescribed time so that they can go out into the job market and contribute to the economy as soon as they can.

The Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Professor Elsabé Loots, commended Professor Johan Oberholster, the 2020 CA Coordinator, the Heads of the Departments of Accounting, Auditing, Financial Management and Taxation, and all the lecturing staff on this stellar achievement. “We are extremely proud of the performance of our students in the latest ITC results that clearly demonstrate that UP continues to be one of the leaders in the education of chartered accountants.”

A delighted Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP, congratulated the students. “We are delighted with this pass rate. Our students achieved an amazing pass rate in the midst of a pandemic. You have shown resilience and tenacity.”