IAC Examinations
Initial Test of Competence (ITC) changing to the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC)
SAICA is committed to developing Chartered Accountants (CAs(SA)) who, at the point of entry to the profession, have the potential to be responsible leaders who behave ethically and create sustainable value for a wide range of stakeholders within an organisational context.
SAICA articulates what competencies a CA(SA) should have developed at the point of entry into the profession through the formulation of a Competency Framework (previously known as the “CA2025 project”, now known as the “CA of the Future”). SAICA first revamped its competency framework in 2021, following an extensive research and consultation process. Further updates were made to the Competency Framework and approved by the CA Professional Development Committee (CAPDC) in October 2023. Changes are made regularly to reflect the requirements of the market considering the ever-changing environment in which CAs(SA) work. Any changes made to the Competency Framework are carefully considered by various structures.
One of the spin-offs of the new Competency Framework and updated approach is that SAICA’s Initial Test of Competence (ITC) will be updated and will now be named the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC), effective January 2025. Read more below.
A candidate is eligible to sit for the IAC for a period of three consecutive years. This starts the year after the date on which the SAICA accredited post-graduate qualification was attained by the candidate (for even if the supplementary exam result was received in 2020, the qualification was still received for 2019).
To reflect the changes set out in the new Competency Framework, first introduced by academic programmes in 2021, the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) will change name and be called the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). Even though the exam name changes, the standard and quality of the exam will not change. Here is what you can expect regarding format changes in the IAC:
Current ITC | IAC January 2025 |
Four papers written over two consecutive days | Three papers written over three consecutive days (Tuesday to Thursday). |
Each paper is currently 100 marks (total 400 marks) | Each paper will be increased to 120 marks (total 360 marks) and will comprise only ONE scenario (they will be split into parts for marking purposes) |
Each paper comprises a half-hour of reading time (without the required) plus 2 and a half hours of writing time (3 hours in total) | Each paper will be four hours long; and The required reading is to be provided with the scenario and writing time commences immediately. |
What content will be assessed in 2025 IAC | The Learning outcomes as proposed and agreed to by CAPDC in June 2023 and as updated in October 2023 for the Professional Values, Attitudes and Acumens (PVAAs) will be assessed. |
Digital acumen (as per the updated competency framework) will not be assessed in any of the papers, either theory or practice in 2025. | |
The level of integration will remain as has been seen in recent ITC exams. | |
There will be a limited assessment of the PVAAs. Note: PVAAs include communication skills which are already assessed | |
Transition period and further changes | Further changes will be made to the IAC in 2026 with the final changes being implemented in IAC 2027 These further changes include:
Further details about a step up for IAC 2026 will be confirmed later in 2024. This first requires further discussion with academics and various SAICA structures. |
If you are a qualified member of another professional accountancy body, you may be eligible to register with SAICA as a CA(SA).
We offer various routes to membership.
Candidates who require special concessions in an examination must carefully read the policy below and apply to SAICA by the relevant cut-off date.
Payments can be made as follows:
- Direct bank deposit or
- Electronic (internet) transfer using the banking details below:
Nedbank
Business Central Gauteng
Branch no: 1284 0500
Account no: 1284 023230
(Kindly use your SAICA ID as a reference number)