The Chartered Accountant (SA) qualification is one of the most heavily-funded career paths in South Africa, for a straightforward reason: audit firms and corporates need a steady pipeline of CAs, and a bursary is how they lock in tomorrow's talent years before graduation. This guide brings together every verified accounting and finance bursary currently tracked on this site for the 2027/2028 intake.
Why Accounting Firms Fund So Many CA Bursaries
Becoming a CA(SA) is a specific, multi-year pipeline: a SAICA-accredited BCom Accounting degree, a postgraduate CTA (Certificate in the Theory of Accounting), a three-year training contract ("articles") at an accredited firm, and finally the board exams (ITC and APC) administered by SAICA. Firms fund this entire path because articles are effectively a multi-year audition - a bursary from EY, KPMG, PwC, or BDO almost always comes with an expected training contract at that firm once you graduate, making it one of the most direct routes to a guaranteed first job in the country. Not every accounting career runs through the CA(SA) route, though: SAIPA's Professional Accountant (SA) designation, various BCom Accounting degrees without the CA stream, and general finance, banking, and corporate accounting roles are all valid destinations with their own funding options below - useful if the CA pipeline's demanding board exams aren't the route you want.
Before You Start Applying
A CA-track bursary from a Big Four firm is a serious commitment on both sides - most require you to genuinely intend on qualifying as a CA(SA), not just complete a related degree, and firms read your motivation letter closely for that specificity. If you're carrying historical student debt that's blocking your graduation, look specifically at the Fasset Outstanding Study Debt Assistance Grant and the BANKSETA debt-relief funds below, which exist exactly for that situation rather than funding new study.
Big Four and Major Audit Firm Bursaries
From the large audit and advisory firms building their own CA(SA) training-contract pipeline.
EY Bursary (Ernst & Young) and EY Bursary - Two active EY bursary listings, both for citizens studying a SAICA-accredited accounting degree with genuine CA(SA) intent. The Academic Merit with Financial Need stream covers tuition, accommodation, books and/or meals; the Academic Merit stream covers a portion of tuition. Both lead to an EY training contract offer. Closes 30 September 2026.
KPMG Bursary - For citizens studying full-time toward a SAICA-accredited CA(SA) qualification in minimum time. Funds the Pure Merit or Merit with Financial Need track. Closes 30 October 2026.
PwC Bursary - For citizens with at least a B symbol in Pure Mathematics and English and a 75%+ overall average, genuinely intending to qualify as a CA. Funds the full CA path with a clear route into a PwC training contract. Closes 31 August 2026.
BDO South Africa Bursary - For matriculants or current BCom Accounting (CA stream) students without a competing bursary. Full or partial tuition plus a study-materials allowance, with a matching work-back period at BDO.
Moore Bursary, Mazars Bursary, SNG Grant Thornton Bursary, SizweNtsalubaGobodo Bursary, and Schoeman Coetzee Bursary - All mid-tier and large South African audit and advisory firms running their own CA(SA)-track bursary and training-contract pipelines, following the same general pattern as the Big Four firms above. Specific current eligibility and coverage for each aren't yet verified on this site - check directly with the firm.
RSM Education Trust Bursary - Connected to RSM, another major audit and advisory network. Full eligibility and coverage details are still being confirmed.
Professional Body, Regulator, and CA-Track Government Funding
From SAICA, SAIPA, and the government bodies most invested in producing accounting professionals.
Thuthuka Bursary Fund - SAICA's own flagship bursary, for Black African or Coloured citizens with 60%+ in Grade 11 Maths, household income under R350,000/year, studying BCom Accounting (CA stream) at a Thuthuka-partner university. Covers tuition, books, meals, and residence, plus mentoring and academic guidance. Closes 31 August 2026.
SAIPA Scholarship - For citizens in Grade 12 or within two years of Matric, studying full-time BCom Accounting, household income under R350,000 (R600,000 with a disability). Fully funds tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and a monthly allowance.
FASSET Bursary - For citizens with 75%+ in Matric (especially Maths and Accounting), household income up to R1 million/year. Up to R100,000/year covering tuition, materials, housing, and a monthly allowance. Closes 28 February 2026.
FASSET Outstanding Study Debt Assistance Grant - Specifically for graduates of a Finance and Accounting Services qualification blocked from graduating by historical debt. Settles the debt directly with your institution. Closes 30 November 2026.
Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) Bursary - For citizens studying a SAICA-accredited CA(SA) qualification with Mathematics (not Maths Literacy), from 2nd year through postgraduate CTA. Full tuition, accommodation, meals, and books. Closes 15 October 2026.
National Treasury Bursary - For 3rd-year undergrad through Honours/Master's students in Accounting, Economics, Finance, or Law with a strong record. Covers registration, tuition, accommodation, materials, board exam costs, and a monthly allowance. Closes 30 September 2026.
SARS Scholarship - For citizens with a strong record in Chartered Accountancy, Auditing, or other SARS priority fields. Full tuition, a living allowance, and prescribed textbooks, with possible SARS vacation work. Closes 30 September 2026.
Institute of Management Accounting and Strategy (IMAS) Bursary - From the professional body for management accountants. Full eligibility and funding details aren't yet verified on this site.
Corporate and Banking Bursaries
From banks and corporates funding accounting and related commerce degrees as part of their own graduate pipeline.
Old Mutual Accounting Bursary - For citizens on the Accounting Science/CA(SA) track committed to the OMCAT Programme and working for Old Mutual after qualifying. Tuition, accommodation, mentorship, vacation work, and guaranteed employment.
Sage Bursary - For previously disadvantaged citizens with household income R350,000-R600,000/year; Grade 12 applicants need 75%+ in Maths and Physical Science. Covers tuition, accommodation, stationery and books - including historical study debt. Closes 30 September 2026.
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary - For Black citizens under 21 with a Level 5+ in Grade 12 Maths, household income up to R700,000/year (deliberately set high to catch the "missing middle"). Covers tuition, accommodation, meals, resources, a stipend, and a first-year computer. Closes 30 September 2026.
Investec Bursary - For citizens with 70%+ in English/Maths and 60%+ elsewhere (or 60%+ first-semester average at university). Financial support plus mentorship, personal development, and work-readiness training. Closes 30 September 2026.
Standard Bank Bursary - For 65%+ average students in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Risk Management, Investment Management, or Business Management. Full tuition, textbooks, a laptop, accommodation, meals, a living allowance, and transport - shortlisted applicants complete psychometric assessments. Closes 30 September 2026.
Absa Bank Bursary - For strong students in Accounting, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or Finance. Tuition, textbooks, accommodation or a housing allowance, often a living allowance and laptop, plus mentorship and vacation work.
Shoprite Bursaries - For under-27s entering 2nd year or higher, with 65%+ for Accounting applicants specifically (60%+ for other fields). Prioritises tuition and books, with surplus funding paid monthly for costs like off-campus rent.
Afrimat Bursary - Group-level bursary (not tied to one site) for citizens with a 60%+ Matric average in Engineering, Finance, or HR-relevant qualifications. Tuition and study costs, mentorship, and possible vacation work or graduate employment.
Sasria Bursary - For citizens with a strong Pure Mathematics result studying insurance, risk, finance, IT, or related fields. Full or partial funding depending on need and available places, potentially including accommodation and textbooks.
PG Group Bursary - Specifically for African women aged 18-28 with 70%+ in Matric and 65%+ in first year, entering 2nd year of Accounting, Chemical/Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or IT. Tuition, stationery, residence accommodation and meals, vacation work, and a possible Graduate Development Programme spot.
Glencore Bursary - For Grade 12 learners or registered students with strong academics (70%+ in English), not already funded elsewhere. Covers registration, tuition, textbooks, meals, accommodation, and computer assistance.
Kuehne+Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary - Exclusively for Black South African women in financial need, already in 2nd year, 3rd year, or postgraduate study (no first-years). Tuition and related expenses, with accommodation, transport, and books reported by some sources.
Cape Gate Erwin Robert Balde (ERB) Bursary - For first-year BCom (CA stream) students with 65%+ in Matric and 70%+ in Maths, with demonstrated financial need. Registration, tuition, a book allowance, a computer allowance, a personal allowance, and accommodation or a living allowance.
BANKSETA and Student Debt Relief Funds
From the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority, funding banking and finance-related study and clearing existing student debt.
UNISA BANKSETA Bursary - For UNISA distance-learning citizens under 35 in Banking, Financial Management, Risk Management, Economics, Business Administration, IT, or Accounting - no other bursary or employment allowed alongside it. This cycle closed 29 January 2026; check back for the next intake.
BANKSETA/UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund - For UKZN students in the School of Accounting, Finance & Economics with outstanding debt. Clears debt case-by-case, with no work-back obligation. Closes 31 October 2026.
BANKSETA/CPUT Bursary - For CPUT students in a qualifying finance or IT-related programme with genuine financial hardship. Tuition, study materials, and sometimes living allowances. Closes 31 October 2026.
Actuarial, Postgraduate, and Provincial Funding
Rounding out the list: actuarial science, postgraduate accounting study, and provincial/municipal government funding that includes accounting among its eligible fields.
South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) Bursary - For citizens studying Actuarial Science at Wits, UCT, or UP, with financial need. Full-cost: tuition, residence, meals, a living allowance, textbooks, and mentorship. Closes 30 September 2026.
SARB Economics Bursary, South African Reserve Bank Bursary, and SARB (South African Reserve Bank) Bursary - Three related SARB listings, all for citizens under 30 with 70%+ in June Grade 12 results and financial need, entering first-year study in a Reserve Bank-relevant field including Accounting and Economics. Tuition and related costs. All close 30 September 2026.
FirstRand Foundation Honours Bursary - For citizens aged 21-35 entering a full-time Honours year, not previously studied at postgraduate level. Tuition, a book allowance, travel/living allowance, food vouchers, airtime, and ongoing support workshops.
Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) - For unemployed Eastern Cape residents aged 18-35 with a Bachelor's pass, accepted into an ECDoE-eligible field including Accounting. Covers registration, tuition, stationery, accommodation, and meals.
Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary - For Eastern Cape residents studying an undergraduate financial or economics-related field, with preference for limited-means households.
KZN Provincial Government Bursaries - For KwaZulu-Natal residents aged 18-35 with Matric, accepted for full-time undergraduate study including Accounting. Reported to cover tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and a meal allowance.
Department of Tourism Bursary - Funds full-time study in the Department's listed priority fields, which have included Accounting, Financial or Management Accounting alongside Tourism-related fields.
N3TC Bursary - For 3rd-year, 4th-year, or Honours students in an eligible field who live in one of nine named N3 corridor municipalities. Covers tuition and mandatory textbooks.
Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) Bursary - For South Africans aged 15-35 studying an eligible field including Finance and Auditing at a TVET college, University of Technology, or university.
Compensation Fund Bursary - For unemployed COID beneficiaries with a permanent workplace-injury disablement, or their dependants aged 17-35, studying an eligible field. Covers tuition, materials, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
MAD Leadership Foundation Scholarship - For citizens with academic and leadership potential in STEM, Commerce, or Chartered Accountancy-related studies, with genuine financial need. Financial assistance, mentorship, and a leadership development programme.
Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Bursary, A2A Kopano Inc Bursary, Manitou Bursary, and Femef Mike Ilsley Memorial Scholarship - Additional trust and memorial-fund bursaries connected to accounting and commerce study. Full current eligibility and coverage for each are still being verified on this site.
Didn't find the right fit? Browse the full bursaries and scholarships listing for every field, or read our guide on writing a CV for a bursary application before you start sending yours out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to work for the firm that gives me a CA bursary?
Not always legally required, but almost always expected - Big Four and mid-tier firm bursaries are built around your training contract ("articles") at that same firm, so turning it down after graduating is unusual and can complicate the relationship, even without a formal penalty clause in every case. Read your specific contract terms before signing.
What's the difference between a CA(SA) and a SAIPA-qualified accountant?
A CA(SA) goes through SAICA's specific pipeline - an accredited degree, CTA, three years of articles, and board exams - and is generally the most recognised and highest-paid accounting designation in South Africa. SAIPA's Professional Accountant (SA) designation is a shorter, more accessible route into professional accounting, well-suited if the CA path's board exams and training-contract structure aren't right for you.
I already have student debt blocking my graduation - which of these should I apply to?
Go straight to the FASSET Outstanding Study Debt Assistance Grant or the BANKSETA debt-relief funds (UKZN or CPUT) above - these exist specifically to clear historical debt so you can graduate, unlike the other bursaries here which fund new study.
Can I apply to more than one Big Four firm's bursary at the same time?
Check each firm's terms, but generally no - most explicitly ask whether you're already funded elsewhere and expect exclusivity once you accept an offer, since they're investing in your training contract, not just your degree. Pick the firm whose practice area (audit, tax, advisory) genuinely interests you rather than applying everywhere.