SAICA Graduate Trainee Opportunities at Ethekwini Municipality

Are you a recent graduate with a BCom degree in Accounting and dreaming of becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA)? The SAICA Graduate Trainee Opportunities at Ethekwini Municipality could be the perfect first step in your career.

SAICA Graduate Trainee Overview

• Job Title: SAICA Graduate Trainee
• Reference Number: ETH250909-1
• Closing Date: 19 September 2025
• Job Type: Graduate Training Programme
• Job Grade: T10
• Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• Department: Corporate Accounts
• Branch: Accounting Support and Administration

Duties and Responsibilities

During the 3‑year programme, you’ll learn and do things like:

• Prepare draft estimate reports (these help plan what money the Municipality expects to spend).
• Help prepare the annual report and the annual financial statements.
• Help with making operating budgets and capital budgets (short‑term and multi‑year) for assigned units.
• Deal with compensation costs for occupational injuries and diseases.
• Do reconciliations for preparing the annual financial statements (AFS) – making sure numbers match up in different records.
• Provide for bad and doubtful debts – estimating amounts you may not collect.

These tasks will develop your skills in accounting, budgeting, costing, financial management, and help you understand how finance works in a big public institution.

Requirements

To be considered, you should have:

• A BCom degree (or equivalent) with Accounting as a major. NQF Level 7.
• The qualification must be endorsed by SAICA (meaning SAICA recognises it) and you must agree to enroll for SAICA Articles (this is part of becoming a Chartered Accountant or CA(SA)).

They also prefer (but not absolutely require):

• A post‑graduate qualification (NQF Level 8) with Accounting as a major.

What skills/qualities you need

It’s not just about qualifications. These are important:

• Good with numbers, ability to do accounting and budgeting.
• Good at planning, organising, being organised.
• Ability to communicate well (verbal and written).
• Able to work with others (teamwork).
• Willing to learn and grow.
• Awareness of how government / municipality finances work.

Benefits

This job doesn’t just demand a lot—it offers good benefits. If you are selected, you’ll receive:

• A salary between R331,758.60 and R430,640.16 per annum
• 13th cheque (a bonus‑type extra payment once a year)
• Pension fund benefits
• Medical aid, leave, housing subsidy

Why this is a good opportunity

For many reasons, this traineeship is worth your time and effort:

1. SAICA accreditation means the training counts towards becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) – a respected, high‑earning qualification in accounting.
2. You get on‑the‑job experience in public sector finance: budgets, financial statements, reconciling, handling debts etc. This kind of exposure is often hard to get.
3. You will learn over a structured three years: not just thrown in your duties, but guided and trained.
4. Public sector experience with a municipality gives you insight into how government works and how public money is managed—skills often in demand elsewhere.
5. Good pay plus benefits for a graduate job.

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How to apply

If this sounds like you, here’s how to make sure your application stands a good chance:

1. Check you meet the essential requirements:
   • BCom degree (or equivalent) with Accounting major
   • SAICA recognition and willingness to register for SAICA Articles
2. If you have a post‑graduate qualification, highlight that
3. Show your skills: budgeting, financial management, reconciliations, working with teams, communication. If you have done any work or internships in accounting, even small ones, include them
4. Prepare a good CV and cover letter:
   • CV: education, grades, any relevant work/internships, skills
   • Cover letter: explain why you want the role, what you bring, why eThekwini Municipality interests you, and how you meet their criteria
5. Use the reference number ETH250909‑1 in your application
6. Submit before 19 September 2025

If feasible, call HC Finance at 031 311 1623 if you have questions or need clarity.

The SAICA Graduate Trainee Opportunities at Ethekwini Municipality are designed to bridge the gap between university and the professional world. If you’re serious about becoming a Chartered Accountant and want to gain meaningful experience within the public sector, this is the opportunity to grab.

You’ll not only gain valuable technical and workplace skills but also contribute to the financial wellbeing of one of South Africa’s biggest municipalities. Don’t miss the chance to apply before the closing date: 19 September 2025.