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1. Financial Administrator 

Financial Administrators ensure that the financial operations of an organisation run smoothly. They bridge the gap between bookkeeping, reporting, compliance, and management support  making them a vital cog in any finance department 

2. What It Is

A Financial Administrator is the operations manager of the finance office. They coordinate systems, processes, and reporting to ensure the business is financially compliant and strategically supported.

Financial Administrators:

  • Manage financial records and systems

  • Prepare budgets and monitor spending

  • Ensure compliance with tax, labour, and regulatory requirements

  • Oversee payroll and supplier payments

  • Support financial reporting and audits
    In short: CFAs don’t just keep records; they keep the organisation financially accountable and future ready.

3. Why It Matters to You

  • Professional growth: The CFA designation builds on bookkeeping skills and prepares you for higher responsibilities 

  • Versatility: CFAs are in demand across private, public, and non-profit sectors

  • Earning potential: As a Chartered Financial Administrator, you move beyond transactional work into analytical, supervisory, and compliance roles.

  • Recognition: CIBA’s CFA designation formally recognises your expertise, ethics, and professional standing

4. The designation advantage

Anyone can call themselves a “financial administrator.” But when you hold the Chartered Financial Administrator (CFA) designation, you demonstrate that you are:

  1. Accountable to a professional body

  2. Skilled in compliance, budgeting, and financial controls

  3. Ethical and trustworthy

  4. Recognised for higher-level responsibilities beyond bookkeeping

  5. This makes you a lower-risk, higher-value professional, boosting your credibility and earnings.

5. Where Do Financial Administrators Work?

Almost everywhere:

  1. Corporates and SMEs

  2. Public sector and municipalities

  3. NGOs and international organisations

  4. Educational institutions and healthcare

  5. Professional services firms

6. How Much Do Financial Administrators Earn?

Entry level: R12,000 – R18,000/month
Mid-level: R18,000 – R30,000/month
Senior: R30,000 – R60,000+/month
Freelance/consulting: R400 – R750/hour

7. Skills You Need

  • Strong accounting and financial reporting knowledge

  • Compliance and governance awareness

  • Budgeting and forecasting

  • Leadership and communication skills

  • Systems and software skills (ERP, payroll, compliance platforms)

  • Ethics and integrity

8. Career path

Start → Chartered Bookkeeper
Next → Chartered Financial Administrator (CFA)
Then → Chartered Business Accountant in Commerce/Chartered Financial Manager / Internal Auditor / Compliance Officer
Eventually → Chartered CFO or Senior Executive
Each step unlocks more responsibility, income, and recognition.

9. Key rules and Standards

  • Companies Act & PFMA/MFMA – oversight of compliance and reporting.

  • Labour & Tax Laws – payroll, PAYE, VAT, UIF, and Social Security compliance.

  • CIBA Code of Ethics – professional conduct in managing financial systems.

  • Governance Frameworks – King IV, internal controls, audit standards