Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA)

About the Auditor-General of South Africa

The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) is the country's supreme audit institution. The Constitution gives it the job of auditing and reporting on how public money is spent. This covers national and provincial departments, municipalities and public entities. More than 4,000 professionals work for the organisation, and it has been named a Top Employer for 2026.

Auditing at this scale needs a steady flow of qualified accountants. For that reason, AGSA runs a bursary and a training programme for future chartered accountants. The bursary acts as a long-term pipeline into its own audit teams.

How AGSA supports students

The AGSA bursary is aimed at students who want to become Chartered Accountants, or CAs. Funding is for full-time study in a CA-designated programme at a university accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Examples include a BCom Accounting degree on the CA stream, a Bachelor of Accounting and a BCompt.

The bursary covers tuition fees, university accommodation, meals and books. That is a full package, and it removes most of the money worries that make a demanding degree harder. It also supports students at different stages, from first year through to the postgraduate year that follows the degree.

In return, recipients must serve their articles with AGSA. They sign a training contract and complete it after they finish their studies. This works much like the training contract at a large audit firm. In other words, the bursary is also a job offer, so be sure you want a career in public-sector auditing before you accept.

The CA route is long and demanding. A student first completes an accredited degree, then a postgraduate diploma, then a period of practical training, and finally the professional board exams. AGSA's package follows this path. Its audit teams review the books of departments and municipalities across the country, so trainees gain wide exposure to public finance, which many private firms cannot offer.

What to know before applying

Applicants must be South African citizens. Strong English and communication skills count in your favour, and so do leadership potential and determination. Academic requirements depend on your level. A school-leaver needs at least 60% for English and Mathematics, while a final-year student moving to postgraduate study needs at least 55% in core modules.

Applications usually open in August and close in mid-October for the following academic year. Dates can move, however, so check the careers section of the official site. Gather your documents early. You will normally need a copy of your ID, academic records and a letter confirming your acceptance or your matric results.

Competition for AGSA funding is strong. A neat application with complete documents and a clear reason for choosing public-sector audit gives you the best chance.