School of Accountancy celebrates top achievers
- Wits University
After two years of Covid, the School of Accountancy holds its annual prize-giving ceremony.
Wits School of Accountancy (SOA) honoured its top-achieving students at the annual prize-giving ceremony 21 September. The prize-giving ceremony awarded top performers in 2020 and 2021. These ceremonies could not be held at the time due to pandemic restrictions.
Some third-year students in this academic year are the first cohort of University students who did their first and second year online. These students are only now finding themselves on campus, engaging in face-to-face lectures, in-person tests and exams. Theophilus Ndebele and Jesse Drieband are two of these students.
Amongst the top achievers at the ceremony, Ndebele and Drieband are currently in their third year of study. Ndebele was awarded first-class (distinction) passes in Accounting I, Accounting II and Drieband received a total of six awards. Both students attribute their success to hard work and consistency. “Do it on your worst day”, advised Ndebele. “Being dedicated and consistent with my studies helped a lot –even when I did not feel like it.”
Priyanka Padayachee is one of the top achievers from the School. She completed her postgraduate studies at Wits and went on to write her first SAICA board exam, placing amongst the top 10 at the Initial Test of Competence (ITC). She currently works as an audit trainee at Deloitte where she is completing her three years of articles.
“Wits SOA has prepared me for the world of work by equipping me with the technical skills required in auditing. I was also well prepared for an atmosphere of hard work and perseverance. I have learnt a lot from my lecturers and tutors and am thankful for their role in preparing me for the corporate world,” said Padayachee.
Commenting at the ceremony, Robert Zwane, Executive Director at SAICA, said, “The support of corporates in celebrating young leaders is evidence of the strides we are making as a profession. Recognising and celebrating young females is indicative of the transformation taking place in our industry” Zwane added.
Housed within the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, the SOA combines the highest standards of academic excellence with exposing students to both the theoretical and practical aspects of accountancy in preparation for the world of work. The School produces some of the top performers in the South African Institute of Charted Accountants (SAICA) and Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors (IRBA) qualifying examinations.
The 2020 and 2021 academic year was extremely challenging to the School as well as to the broader University community. Teaching and learning had to be migrated online following Covid-19 restrictions. “The School did a lot to support students during Covid,” said the Head of School, Professor Nirupa Padia. The school has also made inroads in the making inroads transformation agenda Professor Padia added.
Prizes across various categories were sponsored by leading local and international firms in auditing, financial accounting, management accounting and finance.