Apex Group accredited as a SAICA Training Office

Alan Keet

The global financial services provider is the first to train CA(SA)s in the South African Fund Services sector

Global financial services provider Apex Group has received accreditation as a Training Office affiliated to the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The company is the first of its sector in South Africa to become a SAICA Training Office.

Apex Group will now be able to grant prospective Trainee Accountants an opportunity to qualify as Chartered Accountants (CAs) ‘on the job’ and maintain their career focus without going the traditional route of doing their articles at, for example, auditing or banking institutions. It will also allow Apex Group to maintain business continuity and standards by training up existing employees instead of hiring external CAs from the job market.

Apex Group has recently expanded into the South Africa market via the acquisitions of Sanne Group and Maitland. Apex Group now employs 1,000 people in Cape Town and Sandton offices and plans to double its headcount, in a sign of continuing commitment to the South Africa financial industry and job creation.

Alan Keet, Regional Managing Director, Middle East and Africa at Apex Group, said the development was part of the Group’s commitment to be an industry leader in growing and developing future finance professionals in South Africa.

“We are delighted to obtain the coveted SAICA Training Office accreditation. The designation CA(SA) is a highly sought-after and well-respected qualification internationally. Due to a shortage and hence demand for CAs in South Africa and a reduction in those qualifying as a COVID-19 legacy, we at Apex Group decided to become part of the solution and apply for SAICA Training Office accreditation,” he said.

The application process to become a SAICA Training Office is rigorous, requiring applicant companies to demonstrate why they are suitable to accommodate Trainee Accountants, how their training can benefit a prospective CA, and what skills they can transfer to Trainee Accountants, while meeting the strict standards set to potential CAs in terms of technical and professional skills.