If you’re an aspiring Chartered Certified Accountant looking to launch your career with a global audit firm, the BDO Wave 2027 ACCA Traineeship could be your opportunity to step into the profession with structured support and real-world exposure.
BDO South Africa is offering 25 ACCA Accountant Trainee positions on a 3-year training contract within its BDO Wave Audit division.
Position Overview
- Company: BDO South Africa
- Programme: BDO Wave 2027 ACCA Traineeship
- Industry: Audit
- Job Type: 3-Year Contract
- Location: Cape Town CBD
- Start Date: January 2027
- Positions Available: 25
- Job Ref #: BDOWAVE-GR65-ACCA27-CT-12FEB26-MM
This traineeship provides structured training and practical exposure required to register as a Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) professional.
What Is the ACCA Traineeship?
The ACCA Accountant Traineeship is a 3-year training contract designed to give graduates the practical experience and professional competencies required to qualify as a Chartered Certified Accountant.
As a trainee in the BDO Wave Audit division, you will:
- Gain exposure to a broad range of commercial sectors
- Work in a fast-paced audit environment
- Develop technical audit expertise
- Build strong professional judgement
- Receive structured mentorship and guidance
This programme is ideal for graduates who want global mobility and an internationally recognised accounting qualification through ACCA.
Study Support Provided
One of the biggest advantages of this traineeship is the financial and academic support offered by BDO Wave.
Successful candidates will receive:
- Exam and tuition costs covered for the first attempt of ACCA Strategic Level exams
- Lecture preparation with an approved Learning Service Provider
- Paid study leave
- Ongoing mentorship and professional development support
This structured support helps trainees focus on exam success while gaining valuable workplace experience.
Minimum Requirements
Education
Applicants must have:
- An ACCA-accredited degree from an approved university
- Auditing as one of the major subjects
- Degree preferably completed in 2025 or 2026
Key Skills & Competencies
BDO is looking for graduates who demonstrate:
- Strong willingness to learn
- Ability to manage stress and meet tight deadlines
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- High attention to detail
- Project management ability
- Strong organisational skills
- Ability to work in diverse teams
- Commitment to self-development and growth
This is a demanding programme, so resilience and professionalism are essential
Roles & Responsibilities
During your 3-year training contract, you will be involved in both technical audit work and administrative development tasks.
Audit (Technical Duties)
You will:
- Assist in audit delivery from planning to completion
- Prepare audit planning documents and system notes
- Participate in risk assessments
- Perform audit procedures on:
- Payroll
- Cash and bank
- Revenue
- Cost of sales
- Expenses
- Property, Plant & Equipment (PPE)
- Evaluate audit evidence to assess risk of material misstatement
- Escalate findings to senior team members
- Assist with final analytical reviews and audit reports
- Link audit findings to business risks and industry context
This ensures full exposure to the audit lifecycle — a critical component of ACCA qualification requirements.
Administration & Professional Development
Trainees are also responsible for:
- Completing monthly feedback forms
- Tracking skills development in the Learning & Training System (LTS)
- Monitoring competencies for final sign-off
- Preparing and delivering presentations
- Participating in team presentations
This builds your communication, leadership, and presentation skills — key traits of a well-rounded accounting professional.
Why Choose BDO Wave?
Working at BDO Wave offers:
- Exposure to diverse industries
- Structured professional development
- Global brand recognition
- Direct support toward ACCA qualification
- A strong foundation for a long-term career in audit, finance, or advisory
BDO is part of a global network, which means your qualification and experience can open doors locally and internationally.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for:
- Final-year accounting students (2025/2026 completion)
- Graduates pursuing ACCA qualification
- Individuals committed to becoming Chartered Certified Accountants
- Candidates who thrive in structured, high-performance environments
If you’re disciplined, ambitious, and ready to grow in a demanding audit environment, this traineeship could be your pathway to a global accounting career.
Related: SADPMR Internship Programme 2026
Important Reminder
The programme starts in January 2027, so eligible graduates should prepare their applications early, ensuring:
- Academic transcripts are up to date
- Your CV highlights audit modules and achievements
- You demonstrate leadership and teamwork experience
The BDO Wave 2027 ACCA Traineeship – Cape Town is more than just a graduate job. It’s a structured pathway toward becoming a globally recognised ACCA professional.
With exam support, paid study leave, and full audit-cycle exposure, this programme offers both academic and practical development — a powerful combination for aspiring accountants in South Africa.
If qualifying as an ACCA Chartered Certified Accountant is your goal, this traineeship is worth serious consideration.
