If you have just completed your CTA or a SAICA-recognised accounting degree, 2026 is the year to lock in a structured three-year training contract with Sanlam’s SAICA Trainee Accountant Programme. The closing date is 31 May 2026—which means you need to act now to meet the deadline. This isn’t just a tick-box programme. You’ll work inside a major financial services group while building the real skills and experience SAICA demands to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
What Is This Opportunity?
The Sanlam SAICA Trainee Accountant Programme (TOPP) is a three-year graduate training pathway designed for candidates who have already completed their CTA or equivalent postgraduate qualification. You won’t sit in a classroom. Instead, you’ll rotate through different business units within Sanlam Group—working on financial reporting, taxation, audit, risk management, and governance in real projects.
The basics:
- Employer: Sanlam Group
- Programme name: SAICA Trainee Accountant (Training Outside Public Practice)
- Type: Graduate training programme
- Start date: 2026
- Application closes: 31 May 2026
The rotational structure means you’ll meet every SAICA competency requirement while learning how finance actually works in a corporate setting. You’ll also get hands-on experience with modern accounting systems and understand how financial decisions drive business strategy.
Who Can Apply?
You must meet these requirements to be considered:
- You hold a CTA qualification, OR a postgraduate accounting qualification recognised by SAICA
- You qualify to write the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC)
- Your academic average is at least 60%
- You have solid knowledge of financial accounting, taxation, financial management, and audit
- You can use Microsoft Office at a basic level
Sanlam also looks for candidates who have shown leadership—whether that’s through roles at university, involvement in student organisations, or volunteer work. They want people who are accountable, think analytically, work well in teams, and stay calm under pressure.
What Will You Learn and Gain?
This programme prepares you for leadership roles in finance, not just to pass exams. Over three years, you will develop:
- Technical skills: Practical experience in financial reporting, audits, taxation, and compliance work
- Business insight: How financial information supports real strategic decisions in a large organisation
- Digital competence: Familiarity with modern financial systems and reporting tools
- Professional judgment: The confidence to make ethical, informed financial decisions
- Career options: Pathways into insurance, investments, fintech, corporate strategy, and beyond
By the end, you’ll be ready to qualify as a CA(SA) and move into roles that have genuine impact on how organisations operate.
How to Apply: Step by Step
The process is straightforward, but timing matters. Here’s what to do:
- Update your CV and check that it clearly shows your qualifications and any relevant experience
- Gather your academic transcripts and confirm they show your CTA or recognised postgraduate qualification
- Verify that your qualification meets SAICA requirements (if you’re unsure, check the SAICA website first)
- Submit your application before 31 May 2026
Apply for the Sanlam SAICA Trainee Accountant (TOPP Programme) 2026 here.
Apply early. Many applicants wait until the last week, and technical issues or missing documents can cost you your chance.
How to Stand Out as a Candidate
Many applicants assume grades alone will get them through. That’s not how competitive programmes work. Recruiters want to see that you’re more than an academic result.
In your CV and application, make leadership and teamwork visible. Write about times you’ve managed projects, led a group, or solved problems with others. If you’ve had any exposure to real finance work—internships, volunteer roles, or class projects—mention it. Show that you’re someone who can adapt, think independently, and work well with others.
Be honest about what you know and what you’re eager to learn. Sanlam invests in trainees who are humble and hungry to grow, not just confident on paper.
What Happens Next?
This three-year programme is your bridge from graduation to qualified Chartered Accountant. You’re not just training—you’re building a career inside one of South Africa’s largest financial services groups. The skills and network you gain here will open doors across the financial sector.
Start your application today. Check the link above, gather your documents, and submit before 31 May 2026. Good luck.