The College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) is one of the country’s leading centres of excellence in accounting education, research and professional development. With over 37,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled, the College plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of accounting and financial management in South Africa and beyond.

Supported by a team of over 250 academic and professional staff, including 92 with master’s degrees and 35 with doctoral qualifications, the college provides a highly qualified and diverse academic environment dedicated to student success, innovation and professional relevance.

Industry and government collaboration

The College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) maintains strong partnerships with key professional and regulatory bodies, including SAICA, SAIPA, SAIGA, CIMA, ACCA, IIASA, ICFP, SAIT and CIBA. The college also works closely with government departments and public sector entities to ensure that its academic programmes and research initiatives support national development priorities. These collaborations help to produce graduates who are professionally competent, ethically grounded and fully prepared for industry.

The Office of Quality Assurance and Enhancement plays a central role in upholding excellence, relevance and regulatory compliance across all CAS qualifications. Its work includes the following:

• Programme accreditation and endorsement: The office oversees accreditation processes with CHE and SAQA, and maintains endorsements with leading professional bodies.
• Curriculum quality and transformation: It ensures that all curricula remain current, inclusive and aligned with industry expectations, while also integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems and supporting transformation in the accounting profession.
• Continuous improvement: The office conducts systematic reviews of formal qualifications and short learning programmes, monitoring student success, graduate employability and alignment with professional standards.
• Stakeholder engagement: It works with professional bodies through advisory boards, programme reviews and engaged scholarship initiatives to co-create pathways for professional development and sector advancement.

Engaged scholarship and student support

In pursuit of Unisa’s vision to widen access and drive social transformation, the college actively supports previously disadvantaged schools by offering mathematics and accounting education outreach initiatives. Through collaborations with the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) and the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA), CAS provides various forms of student support, including mentorship programmes, bursaries, internships and skills development opportunities that enhance learning and employability.

Research excellence

CAS demonstrates a firm commitment to advancing knowledge through high-impact research and scholarly collaboration. With a total of 150.4 accredited research output units (ROUs) for the 2025 academic year, the college continues to make significant contributions to the academic community, profession, industry and society. Our research activities address real-world challenges, promote innovation, and strengthen the link between theory and professional practice.

Why choose CAS at Unisa?

• Over 37,000 students enrolled across undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• A highly qualified academic team with 92 master’s and 35 PhD holders
• Strong partnerships with professional bodies, including SAICA, SAIPA, SAIGA, ACCA, IIA, ICFE and the government
• Community outreach through mathematics and accounting teaching in disadvantaged schools
• Comprehensive student support through FASSET and BANKSETA collaborations
• Proven research excellence with 150.4 research output units

The College of Accounting Sciences continues to uphold Unisa’s mission of providing accessible, world-class education that produces graduates who are professionally skilled, socially responsible and capable of driving transformation in the accounting profession.