Since its inception in 2002, the competition has continued to grow in popularity, says Saipa's marketing and communications executive, Zobuzwe Ngobese. “For 2019, we're expecting our best turnout yet.”
NAO 2019 entrants from grades 11 and 12 will write an accountancy test at their respective schools on 29 July. Afterwards, representatives from Saipa will mark the papers and select those with the highest scores. The top three students nationally in each grade will then be declared as the overall winners at a gala event later in the year.
Last year, 13 winners tied for the top three spots provincially and nationally across the grade 11 and grade 12 categories. The province to beat this year will be Kwazulu-Natal, which shone brightly in 2018 with six winners out of the total 13.
The NAO competition is a key part of Saipa’s strategy to promote accounting as a career of choice among schoolgoers.
South Africa needs new accountants to continually enter the job market. A significant lack of interest now will mean a skills shortage of seven to eight years in the future.
The NAO 2019 is also a good way for scholars to get a taste of the profession. They’ll have the opportunity to interact with Saipa staff, sponsors and potential future employers.
Pupils wishing to compete must be registered by their schools on the NAO website. The entry fee is R50 per student but free for no-fee schools. There is also no limit to the number of pupils each school may register. However, entrants must currently be taking Accounting as a school subject with the intention of studying a B.Com degree.
Entries close 14 June 2019. The exam will take place on 29 July, and winners will be announced after all papers are scored.
For more information or competition progress updates, visit the NAO website.
