The Audit Completion - The Career-Defining Impact of My SAICA Articles at Accensis

It's the last 100m left of my race as an audit trainee.

As my articles conclude, reflecting on:

• The wild
• Rewarding

And unforgettable journey was only right. it's time to give Accensis their flowers; to give credit where it's due. From barely surviving my first year to finally reaching the finish line, here's how audit articles will futureproof your career:

The Steepest Learning Curve Is Where You Grow the Fastest

The first stretch was the steepest learning curve on the road to finishing my audit articles. Let's be honest — like most of us, I had that "deer in the headlights" look.

Auditing felt like it was written in ancient Greek.

I didn't know my assertions, from my audit opinions.

Thankfully, I was surrounded by knowledgeable, supportive practitioners always willing to help — even if it meant explaining materiality for the third time with the same smile.

Don't Know? Ask. Good Teams Never Gatekeep

Accensis colleagues never gatekeep knowledge; they lift you up and make sure you get it.

Learning and growing together is in the company's DNA - it's how we provide our clients with boutique accounting and audit services.

Accensis isn't just a workplace — it's a team. Discover our culture here.

Never Underestimate the Power of Great Mentors

Then comes the beautiful chaos of training sessions and meetings. You start quoting legislation from our director Umar's tax sessions as if you're you're prepping to speak to Parliament — "Section 11(a), baby!"

Suddenly, you are the go-to person for anything remotely tax-related (until the actual tax team shows up - discover ease this tax season).

And then there's Mr. Suresh Naidoo. The man, the myth, the kickoff meeting legend. His sessions have us repeating audit assertions like we're in a spelling bee.

"C is for Completeness!"

You leave those meetings feeling like you could audit your mom's grocery list and pick up a misstatement. If Mr. Naidoo ever released a Spotify playlist of audit standards, we'd all have it on repeat. 

Before you know it, you're reviewing TBs, casting AFSs, and tracing transactions like a pro.

From Tick Boxes to Real-World Readiness

Accensis doesn't just prepare you to tick boxes — it sharpens you for the real world. From audit procedures to drafting full-blown financials, I have done it all. And I am walking away with skills I'll carry for life.

These Weren’t Just Articles. They Were the Making of Me

Articles aren't just about the work — it's about the people.

• The friends we've made
• The late nights at client sites
• The random coffee runs,

And the jokes that turn stressful days into bearable ones are the memories we'll never forget.

The quarterly functions? Legendary. There's something magical about seeing your colleagues dance to amapiano after clearing their queries.

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More than anything, Accensis has always made us feel like more than just employees — This is our forever team. Whether it was guidance, growth, or a good laugh on a tough day, this place has given us more than a job. It's given us a home.

Accensis has built me.

And where would I be without you? I guess we'll never have to know.

Are you a BCom graduate looking for a 2026 SAICA articles program? Begin your journey to CA(SA) here

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