"You've done the work. You've earned the title. Now get the designation."
A designation that helps you transition from financial manager to CFO
Recognition
The Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation gives credibility and objective recognition of 34 competencies you have mastered on your route to Chief Financial Officer. The study "Moving from CA to CFO: A competency framework" "identifies and examines the necessary competencies required for a new Chartered Accountant (CA) to develop over a career, culminating in becoming a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)". The Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation recognises your achievements in achieving these competencies.
A designation developed in association with the Internation Association of Financial Executives Institutes (IAFEI) - the global body for finance executives in over 20 countries.
Grounded in an internationally recognised competency framework, requiring knowledge and experience in strategy, operations, and finance. Eligible executives will receive recognition for a specific set of skills, making them a part of an elite group of modern CFOs.
Where you fit in
The Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation is suitable for financial managers that have transitioned into the role of Chief Financial Officer. It is a unique designation specifically grafted for the pinnacle role within the finance department. You are now a board member, and require a new designation that demonstrates your development from accountant to leader.
This designation will give you access to an exclusive international community, and a powerful network of CFOs and FDs. Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) is an exclusive designation that reflects your status as a leader in finance, performing at the highest career level. With the Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation, you can distinguish yourself as a modern-day financial executive.
The roles in the finance department can be split between three levels. The Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation is the one designation for all strategic finance roles:
| LEVEL >> |
ROLE >> |
<< DESIGNATION |
APPLY NOW |
| Strategic |
Financial executive |
Certified Financial Officer(SA) |
Click here |
| Management |
Financial manager |
Certified Business Accountant(SA) |
Click here |
| Operational |
Financial adminstrator |
Business Accountant(SA) |
Click here |
| Practice |
Accountant in Practice |
Business Accountant in Practice(SA) |
Click here |
Our designations have been carefully researched and aligned to industry norms and regulations. Each designation is based on a set of competencies that reflect the expertise required for each level within the finance department.
Steps to becoming a Certified Financial Officer (SA)
If this is you then apply for the Cert.Fin.Officer(SA)
- Finance executives working within the strategic level of a finance or accounting department.
- Typical roles eligible for the designation include: Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director, Finance Executive, Head of Finance, Chief Accountant, Senior Financial Manager, etc.
- Financial executives from any nationality that may have an interest in Southern Africa
The job descriptions associated with a Cert.Fin.Officer(SA)
There are a variety of job descriptions associated with the Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation. This short summary explains more about what is expected of a Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) within the finance department.
Statutory criteria
Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) is an official designation registered in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 67 of 2008. The entry criteria for the designation as published in Government Gazette is:
- Qualification requirement:
- B Com Hons in Accounting, Law, or Engineering, or a CTA or commerce based Advanced Diploma. Alternative qualifications and exemptions may be applicable, for example professional levels achieved from a professional body. Click here to read more
- Executive education at an MBA level, or a professional designation at a chartered level such as ACCA, CIMA, or CA
- NQF9 or higher
- For foreign qualifications, evaluation by SAQA is required. Please click here for more information
- Experience requirement:
- 2 years relevant experience at an operational level in a finance department or as a trainee in practice
- 4 years relevant experience at a managerial level in a finance department.
- 4 years relevant experience at a strategic level in a finance department
- Experience will be verified by way of a logbook completed by employer and correlation with credit bureaus
- You have the job title FD, senior or group FM, CFO or equivalent
- You work for a large private, public, or listed company with a company or group turn-over of more than R30 million
- Assessment:
- Confirmation by employers that you achieved 34 critical competencies, at a mastery level
- Completion of a course and assessment in ethics.
- Completion of a course in leadership
- Private practice:
- Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) holders may not act in private practice e.g. only BAP(SA) holders are allowed to act as accountants in private practice or as accounting officers. You can add this designation to your Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation.
The application process and post-designation requirements
- Application
Application
- Register as a CIBA member
- Complete the Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) application form and confirm you are a person in good standing.
- Qualification
- Submit certified copies of your ID and latest CV
- Submit certified copies of academic transcripts
- Provide proof of relevant qualifications in either of the following: (Qualification must include 3 of the following subjects, alternatively you may have obtained these subjects separately for non-degree purposes: Accounting, Auditing, Tax, Management Accounting, Financial Management, Commercial law):
A SAQA evaluation and alignment certificate indicating the comparative South African qualification if the qualification was obtained from a Non South African institute of higher learning.
Relevant prior learning obtained in the form of part qualifications, modules, short courses or similar courses completed and which CIBA as recognised for membership purposes.
Membership of a professional body that ascribes to the membership criteria of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) or a professional body with whom CIBA has signed a membership agreement, and whom CIBA has recognised for membership purposes.
- Experience
- Complete the workplace experience assessment and confirmation by employer. You will be required to complete an Examination-By-Experience. This consists of self-assessment, and employer verification of obtaining 34 critical competencies at an awareness level. Download the competencies here
- Payment
- You will be redirected to a secure online payment portal to pay your Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) designation fee. This can be paid annually or monthly via debit order.
- R5500-00 registration fee and peer assessment.
- R6500-00 annual membership fees.
- Evaluation
- We will evaluate your application and supporting documents to monitor compliance of 34 critical competencies employers require at the strategic level..
- Once your application is approved we will email you confirmation of registration and certificate.
Cert.Fin.Officer(SA), because you deserve it
- Registration on the National Database of Accountants in terms of the NQF Act, 2008
- Proof that you are committed to ethical conduct and lifelong learning
- Officially recognised certification for finance executives in South Africa
- Use the official designatory letters: Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) or Certified Financial Officer (SA) next to your name
- Employers obtain objective confirmation that you have obtained 34 critical competencies required at the strategic level of a finance department
- International accreditation with www.iafei.org.za - the global body for finance executives
- Articulation into the BAP(SA) designation should you decide to start a part-time or full time accounting practice
- Aristocracy of the finance world
- Objective confirmation of your worth
- Advantage over non-designated peers
- Access to CFO Talks
- Access to the annual CFO World Congress
- Access to the CFO Talks network of CFOs
- Access to discounted executive education.
Do even more with your designation
- Option 1: Upgrade to CFO(SA) + CPD
For an additional amount of R1484 pm * 6 months or R8904 pa we will provide you with:
- Quick Update CPD - Monthly webinar updates on compliance topics related to SARS, CIPC, IRBA, IFRS, Professional body guides, Labour law, FIC, and big law updates. CPD is offered by the CIBA learning academy.
- Option 2: Upgrade to CFO(SA) + CPD + Specialist Licenses
For an additional amount of R2318 pm * 6 months or R13904 pa we will provide you with:
- Quick Update CPD - Monthly webinar updates on topics related to SARS, CIPC, IRBA, IFRS, Professional body guides, Labour law, FIC, and big law updates.
- Any two licenses available on CIBA Academy’s Specialise page, excluding:
- Business Rescue,
- Procurement License and
- ESG Reporting License
Do even more with your designation
- Option 1: Upgrade to Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) + CPD
For an additional amount of R360 pm * 6 months or R2160 pa we will provide you with:
- Quick Update CPD - Monthly webinar updates on compliance topics related to SARS, CIPC, IRBA, IFRS, Professional body guides, Labour law, FIC, and big law updates. CPD is offered by the CIBA learning academy, www.saiba.academy
- Option 2: Upgrade to Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) + CPD + Specialist Licenses
For an additional amount of R1668 pm * 6 months or R10 000 pa we will provide you with:
- A BAP(SA) designation to start your part time practice
- Quick Update CPD - Monthly webinar update on topics related to SARS, CIPC, IRBA, IFRS, Professional body guides, Labour law, FIC, and big law updates.
- License in indpendent review engagements - Become an Independent Review Engagement Specialist, attract more clients, get referrals from non-specialist accountants and diversify your income stream.
- License in Business Rescue Engagements - Get authorised to perform business rescues in terms of the companies act, 2008
- Option 3: Upgrade to Cert.Fin.Officer(SA) + Practice Ready
For an additional amount of R4168 pm * 6 months, or R25 000 pa we will provide you with:
- A BAP(SA) designation to start your part time practice
- Quick Update CPD - Monthly webinar update on topics related to SARS, CIPC, IRBA, IFRS, Professional body guides, Labour law, FIC, and big law updates.
- Accounting and Tax CPD - all the technical updates you need to run a practice
- License in indpendent review engagements - Become an Independent Review Engagement Specialist, attract more clients, get referrals from non-specialist accountants and diversify your income stream.
- License in Business Rescue Engagements - Get authorised to perform business rescues in terms of the companies act, 2008
- Draftworx - the automated way to prepare Financial Statements and perform professional engagement includes IFRS for SME, IFRS, Audit, Review, Agreed Upon Procedures, and Compilations.
- QuickBooks - The world's most popular accounting software includes an online practice manager platform
- Accounting and Tax CPD - all the technical updates you need to run a practice
Contact us
- Contact us on 012 643 1800 or send an email to membership@saiba.org.za should you require more information about the process.