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UFS students achieve outstanding success in the SAICA ITC examination

18 April 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Mia Pretorius, one of the accountancy graduates from the UFS Class of 2023, excelled in the SAICA ITC examination, securing the 6th position nationally.

The accountancy graduates of the University of the Free State (UFS), Class of 2023, have showcased their excellence by achieving an impressive 86% pass rate in the January 2024 Initial Test of Competence (ITC) examination administered by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). This achievement underscores the rigorous academic standards and dedication upheld by both the students and the esteemed faculty of the UFS School of Accountancy.

Prof Frans Prinsloo, Director of the School of Accountancy at UFS, expressed profound satisfaction at these remarkable results. He remarked, ‘’This achievement bears testament to the many hours of hard work invested over many years by the UFS School of Accountancy team and its students, and it brings us great joy.’’

Among the shining stars of this accomplishment is Mia Pretorius, a SAICA Audit Trainee at Deloitte in Cape Town and a distinguished UFS alumnus. Pretorius clinched the sixth position nationwide in the exam, surpassing over 2000 graduates across the country. Reflecting on her achievement, Pretorius conveyed her overwhelming gratitude, acknowledging the challenging nature of the examination, particularly the time constraints. She attributed her success to the comprehensive preparation received at UFS, stating, ‘’We wrote some difficult examinations during my time at UFS, so I was well prepared and found the ITC to be a bit easier than some of the exams that were written at UFS.’’

Prof Prinsloo lauded Pretorius’s success as a testament to the effectiveness of the CA programme at UFS, stating,’ Our CA programme not only enables our graduates to pass the ITC examination but, in fact, empowers them also to excel.’’

The significance of this accomplishment extends beyond individual success stories. Prof Prinsloo emphasised that the SAICA ITC examination serves as a crucial benchmark for evaluating the quality of the Chartered Accountancy (CA) programme offered at UFS. He elaborated, ‘’These results signify that the CA programme offered by the UFS not only develops our students’ technical competence in the subject areas of Financial Accounting, Auditing, Taxation and Managerial Accounting and Finance to the appropriate level but also equips them with the essential professional skills.’’

With aspirations for their students to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields and communities, Prof Prinsloo expressed hope that these accomplished students uphold ethical standards and serve as inspiration for our future students.

The achievements of the UFS accounting graduates of 2023 in the SAICA ITC examination underscore the university’s commitment to academic excellence and the holistic development of its students.

News Archive

UFS prides itself on Pauline Gutter

2014-12-04

Pauline Gutter

Her work can be described as a visual attack of marks and colour, and the purposeful application of layering and interweaving of layers that gives the identity of continuous flux and ideological migration. Her work highlights the ‘removal’ of the farming community from their land. A review of a recent exhibition described her themes as: “A struggle for survival prevails in the dangerous world that is projected to us in the paintings …”

Gutter is not just a top professional artist, but also a well-known brand. True to her roots, her work often mirrors a passion for the farming community. In 2013, she won the ABSA L’Atelier prize of R125 000, as well as a half year’s stay in the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France.

This art competition is South Africa’s most prestigious art competition and is held annually for artists between ages 21 and 35. This award not only ensures South Africa’s emerging artists of recognition, but also affords them the opportunity to develop their talents abroad.

The UFS is very proud of breeding this class of artist. According to Gutter, her lecturers allowed them space to work on their own identities. Her work has now moved far from simply being portraits and sculptures, it also makes an impact on those who see it.

As a student, Gutter was involved in many community projects at her residence. In 2003 she was one of the two managers of the Dithwele waste sculpture park competition, an initiative of SAB. She is a diverse artist who has worked on KYKNET productions as co-worker and assistant. Gutter also does freelance camera work.

Furthermore, Gutter was on the Mail & Guardian’s list of top 200 young South Africans, an annual list that has become the premier collection of the leaders of tomorrow – and in many cases, today. She also received the Helgaard Steyn prize and was a finalist in the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition.

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