The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently hosted the UFS and RAiN Digital Warrior Challenge, an exciting and competitive event developed by the School of Accountancy to test students’ skills in data analytics using Power BI and Power Query – industry-standard tools for data modelling, transformation, and visualisation.
Sponsored by RAiN Chartered Accountants, the challenge brought together aspiring future accountants to extract, transform, and load data with the aim of drawing insights from the complex dataset.
This year’s challenge built on last year’s theme of ‘Automation’, but shifted the focus towards data analytics – a vital skill in the evolving landscape of accountancy. Participants were required to transform and analyse multiple Excel tables, extracting meaningful insights through Power BI dashboards.
The five winners of the 2025 UFS and RAiN Digital Warrior Challenge were announced as follows: Dian Diesel won first prize, Willie Volschenk second, Matlala Kgadi third, Zander Strauss fourth, and Keletso Nkome won fifth place.
Speaking at the event, RAiN Chartered Accountants representatives Yusuf Pingni, Charlene Black, and Jenna du Bruyn emphasised the importance of integrating technology with traditional accountancy practices.
“Based on where the industry and technology are heading, we believe the auditing profession is evolving,” Pingni said. “It’s not dying but transforming, and technology is at the centre of that evolution. This challenge helps students see how what they learn in class can be applied in real-world data environments.”
The event was aimed at second-year BAcc and third-year BCom (Accounting) students, as organisers felt this group is at a crucial stage of transitioning from foundational theory to more practical, discipline-specific learning.
“We chose second-year students because they’re beginning to explore the detailed aspects of accounting and auditing. This challenge gives them a taste of how technology complements their academic work,” Black said.
Beyond the competition, participants were encouraged to continue working through the challenge in their own time to refine their skills and their understanding of Power BI, one of the most in-demand tools in the business analytics world.
The challenge not only rewarded students with cash prizes but also gave them a platform to bridge theory and technology, preparing them for a rapidly digitising accounting profession.