BDO South Africa Incorporated

About BDO South Africa

BDO is one of the largest accounting, audit and advisory networks in the world, and it works in well over 100 countries. BDO South Africa Incorporated is the South African member firm. It offers audit and assurance, tax, advisory, and business services and outsourcing. Its clients come from sectors such as banking, renewable energy, agriculture, higher education and tourism.

The firm has offices in major South African cities. Its tagline speaks of elevating people, business and society. It also runs the BDO Academy, which offers professional development accredited by ACCA.

How BDO supports students

Accounting firms depend on a steady stream of trainee accountants. Therefore, BDO funds a bursary programme for students working towards the Chartered Accountant (SA) designation. Recent calls have used the name BDO Graduate Thrive Bursary Programme. The firm also supports youth employment through initiatives such as its Yes4Youth partnership.

Third-party listings describe two kinds of award. A merit bursary rewards academic performance, attitude and aptitude. A second award, merit with financial need, also looks at the student's financial situation. These details come from bursary listing sites, not from BDO's own careers page, so treat them as a guide only.

What to know before applying

Listings say that applicants must be South African citizens. They must study towards the CA(SA) qualification at a university accredited by SAICA. Eligible year groups include second year, third year, the Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA). For the merit award, second-year and third-year students need an overall average of at least 80%, according to the same sources.

BDO's public careers page does not publish full bursary terms. As a result, eligibility rules and closing dates can only be confirmed with the firm itself. Contact BDO South Africa through its website before you rely on any listing, and ask about the current application window.

Please also ask whether a service period applies after you qualify. Many firms expect bursary holders to complete their training contract with them. That is common practice in the profession, but it is not confirmed here for BDO.

Prepare certified copies of your ID, your academic record and proof of registration. Strong marks matter, so keep your averages high from first year. Funding for chartered accountancy is competitive, and early preparation helps.

The CA(SA) route is long and demanding. Students first complete a degree, then a postgraduate year, and then a training contract of several years before they write the final board exam. A bursary eases the money pressure during the university years. It can also introduce you to the firm's culture, its partners and its clients. For many students, that early contact makes the later transition into a trainee role much smoother.