How will the chartered accountancy profession in South Africa adapt in the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? That is the question Master of Accountancy graduate and chartered accountant Ms Sameerah Essa’s research aimed to answer.
Titled: ‘The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on the Competencies Required by a Chartered Accountant in South Africa’, the study was supervised by Professor Mishelle Doorasamy and Mr Muhammed Kajee. It explores how the chartered accountant (CA(SA)) qualification will adapt in the presence of AI and what skills and competencies will be required for a CA(SA) of the future.
Said Essa: “The findings of this study contribute to accounting as a field of study, in the presence of AI, specifically in relation to the CA(SA) professional and competencies required. The study is an evaluation which utilises the Big Four, Top 20 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Foresight project to draw evidence for the purpose of determining the influence of AI on the competencies required by a CA(SA), the study revealed that AI has redefined accounting competencies, emphasising strategic thinking, analytics, and ethical governance. However, the findings also highlight persistent implementation challenges, including uneven access to AI technologies, limited experiential learning opportunities, and ambiguity in articulating AI-specific competencies. This suggests that the gap between conceptual alignment and practical execution remains a defining feature of the profession’s transition toward digital maturity.”
Essa added that despite skills gaps and ethical concerns, the findings confirmed that AI significantly influences the competencies required by CA(SA)s.
“The profession’s continued relevance depends on hybrid skills integrating technological expertise, ethical governance, and strategic judgment. SAICA’s foresight initiatives provide a strong framework, but collaboration among academia, professional bodies, and industry remains vital to ensure globally competitive, AI-empowered accountants in South Africa.”
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini