Every finance department has different levels:

• Functional: Data capturing, invoice processing

• Administrative: Reconciliations, VAT returns, month-end support

• Operational: General accounting and reporting

• Management: Oversees teams, budgets, forecasting and compliance

• Strategic: Sets direction, leads finance strategy, advises the board

 CBAC is the designation for the Operational level of the Finance Department.

 When you’re ready, it’s your stepping stone to:

• Chartered Financial Manager (CFM)

CBAC is for you if:

•  You’re already preparing budgets, financial statements, or tax returns

• You want recognition for your skills and impact on the business

• You’re aiming for a management or senior accounting role

 Minimum requirements:

• National Diploma or Degree in Accounting/Finance, or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• 3 years’ experience in accounting, tax, or finance work

CBACs are trusted to manage the core accounting and reporting functions:

Prepare and review financial statements
Manage budgets and forecasts
Oversee tax compliance (VAT, PAYE, income tax)
Support audits and liaise with auditors
Analyse performance and present insights to management

You’re the bridge between the finance team and business decision-makers.

Some work requires additional rights or licensing:

 Act as an Accounting Officer in private practice
Perform Independent Reviews for companies

 If you want to work for yourself or provide services to the public, your next step is Chartered Business Accountant in Practice (CBAP).

Becoming a CBAC is straight-forward:

1.      Become a member

• Create your profile and sign-up as a CIBA member at myciba.org

2.     Apply for the CBAP designation

• Upload ID, CV, and proof of qualifications (or RPL evidence)

• Provide two reference letters and complete your experience assessment

• Pay your designation fee (monthly or annual)

• Get evaluated and receive your CBAC certificate

Stay recognised and credible by: 

• Completing 20 hours CPD per year

·       Completing an annual ethics course to lock in CIBA rewards

Completing CIBA’s Professional Readiness Programme (once-off)

CBAC isn't just another designation, it's the start of professional respect.

• Professional recognition at operational level

• Your name listed on the National Database of Accountants

• A title that signals competence, credibility, and commitment

• A clear pathway to management and leadership roles

Most finance professionals hit the same wall, you’ve got the skills, but you’re stuck fighting for recognition, missing out on opportunities, or being overlooked for bigger roles.

CIBA changes that.
Through partnerships with national industry bodies, like ANNET (NPO sector), SACCI (business chambers), Creative Artists, Agriculture, and the legal profession, we:

• Put your name in front of employers who value CIBA designations.

• Train their finance staff, so they know and respect the CIBA standard.

• Create sector-wide demand for members with your qualification.

Instead of chasing opportunities, you’ll have them coming to you.

CIBA rewards aren’t perks you buy, they’re recognition you earn.

Only members who stay in good standing, follow our ethics, and deliver quality work get access to them.

When you uphold the standard, you unlock:

• No more paying for learning: your ethics, compliance, and technical CPD is free every year.

• Pay less for specialist skills: big discounts on advanced courses, licenses, and short programmes.

• Help when you’re stuck: direct access to our technical desk, templates, and guides.

• People knowing your worth: your name listed in the National Database of Accountants and featured in member spotlights.

• The right connections: from annual conferences to sector-specific networking events.

• A say in the rules: we fight your corner with SARS, CIPC, UIF, CIDB, DSD and others so you’re not ignored.

• For practice members (CBAP): PI cover, software discounts, and direct client leads so you can grow faster.

We even run our own accounts this way, membership fees are recognised upfront, because the rewards aren’t “paid for” month by month. They’re earned by members who live up to the CIBA standard