How do I explain to a high school student what a Chartered Accountant actually does?

When I was in high school I knew I wanted to study accounting and obtain the valuable designation of CA(SA) – but I actually had no idea what the day-to-day job of a chartered accountant looks like. So why then was it my dream to become a CA?

As I mentioned in my e-book, I completed my aptitude tests in grade 9, tested very strongly for accountancy, and decided on the spot that I wanted to become a CA(SA). I think it was the idea that it is seen as a “business degree”. That it is the best pathway to becoming a CEO and paving the way to climbing the corporate ladder. Which definitely is not wrong – but I think the average accounting student needs a more realistic expectation of what the actual journey looks like. Studying long hours and working tirelessly to meet audit deadlines are all part of it. Being the CEO of a JSE-listed company might be the end goal – but it does not happen overnight.

This article will not go into the detail of what the CA-journey looks like. For that you can look at my Future CA E-Book on the CA2BE website which acts as a blueprint for the journey to becoming a CA(SA). This article will focus more on the realistic day-to-day picture of working an office job. As my experience to date has been within auditing, this article will lean more towards auditing experience in general – which I do think will be valuable to any high school student thinking of becoming a CA(SA), as any aspiring chartered accountant has to complete a certain minimum requirement of hours within auditing to be eligible to register as a CA(SA).

The Reality of Being an Audit Trainee

When most people think about chartered accountants, they picture boardrooms, high-level decision-making, or finance leadership. But as a first-year trainee, your life looks quite different. Your days are mostly spent on Excel spreadsheets, performing testing procedures, working through supporting documentation, and constantly asking questions – both to learn and to get the information you need from clients. You’ll be tasked with “ticking and bashing” – a casual term for methodically checking supporting documentation – often line by line. For example, you might test whether sales figures recorded in the financial system match the actual invoices issued to customers. This is called substantive testing, and it’s a big part of what you do as a trainee.

You’ll also test controls – in other words, checking whether the company followed its internal processes to prevent fraud or errors. For instance, if a company requires two signatures on a payment above a certain value, you’ll verify whether that process was followed correctly across multiple transactions.

There’s a steep learning curve, and a lot of what you learn happens on the job. You’ll constantly ask your senior team members questions and also reach out to the client (the company being audited) to request information or clarify issues. You’ll learn quickly how to be professional in your communication, manage multiple tasks under pressure, and take responsibility for your work.

While the work can be repetitive at times, it’s far from meaningless. Every small test you perform is part of the larger audit opinion, which investors, banks, and regulators rely on to make decisions. You’re part of something important – even in your first year. And that’s the reality: your role is to support the audit team by digging into the details.

Auditing also exposes you to a wide variety of industries – from retail to manufacturing to finance – and you get to see how real businesses operate behind the scenes. This gives you practical insights into the world of commerce that few other graduate jobs offer so early on.

Your years at university will give you the foundation that you need to perform these tasks. You will learn everything about financial statement disclosure requirements in order to comply with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and how to audit these disclosures in line with ISA (Internation Standards on Auditing). The South African CA-qualification is set at a very high standard and your education will enable you to be fit for a variety of finance roles on an international level. 

Deadlines, Pressure & Learning on the Job

Auditing is a deadline-driven environment. Whether you're working on a year-end audit or a tight interim review, there's a constant pressure to deliver accurate work under time constraints. This can feel overwhelming at first, but it teaches you valuable skills very quickly: time management, prioritisation, and how to perform under pressure.

One of the most underrated parts of auditing is the steep learning curve. You’re not just learning how to audit – you’re learning how different businesses operate, how systems are structured, and how financial decisions are made. You’ll also learn to take feedback, deal with tight turnarounds, and manage your own expectations.

Client Sites, Team Dynamics & Office Life

Junior auditors often work in teams at client sites, which means you're constantly collaborating. You might sit in a small boardroom with your team for days, working together to complete sections of the audit. You’ll meet finance managers, ask for supporting documentation, and slowly start to develop your professional confidence.

Expect to be challenged – but also expect support. Seniors and managers know you're learning, and most teams create a culture where asking questions is encouraged. The office itself becomes more than just a workplace; it’s where you grow, where you bond with peers, and where some of your best (and worst!) memories will be made.

It’s Not Glamorous, But It’s Growth

Let’s be honest – the early days aren’t always glamorous. You won’t be giving strategy advice in your first year. But what you will be doing is building the foundational skills that every successful CA needs: attention to detail, resilience, critical thinking, professionalism, and the ability to learn from your mistakes.

You’ll look back one day and realise how far you’ve come – from not knowing what a working paper was, to signing off sections of the file independently, mentoring juniors, and gaining the respect of your team. Every late night, tough client, and tricky balance sheet makes you better.

Becoming a CA(SA) isn’t just about the designation at the end – it’s about who you become along the way. Auditing might not be what you pictured when you dreamed of a career in business, but it plays a critical role in shaping strong, capable professionals.

If you’re thinking about becoming a CA(SA), I encourage you to embrace the real side of the journey – the part that takes place behind the laptop, inside client meeting rooms, and in audit files. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

To learn more about the full CA(SA) pathway, download my Future CA E-Book from the CA2BE website. It’s the guide I wish I had when I started, and it’s there to support you on your journey.

 

Arrie van der Schyf CA(SA)

CA2BE - Founder