Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of South Africa
ABASA was established in 1985 to promote the professional interests of Black persons engaged in the accounting profession. We are committed and dedicated in this pursuit, and are driven by the need to ensure that every black accountant and aspiring accountant is able to realise their full potential and aspirations. As at Februar
y 2010, of the 29,814 professionals registered under the South African Institute of Chartered Accountant's CA(SA) designation, African Black, Coloured and Indian members comprised 4,682 of the membership reflecting that cumulatively black professionals still comprise 16% of the CA(SA) membership. African Black members comprise only 5% of the total CA(SA) memberships. ABASA's main objectives include:
To facilitate and encourage the entry of Blacks into the accounting profession;
To identify and work for the removal of the conditions which are detrimental to the professional well being of black accountants;
To create awareness of the work, objectives and ideals of the Association and the accounting profession in the black community. ABASA has had a number of significant achievements through the years, including:
The establishment of the ABASA Bursary Fund, through which numerous students have benefitted;
The establishment of the Nkuhlu Subvention Fund, which ensures that the historically disadvantaged universities secure quality lecturers to facilitate SAICA accreditation. In 2009 The University of Fort Hare received full accreditation from SAICA, as a result of this initiative;
The establishment of the ABASA Leadership Programme, which is aimed at using mentorship to develop more effective leaders in the profession, through which numerous black trainee accounts have been mentored by leading business people;
Admission as a member of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and The East, Central and Southern African Federation of Accountants (ECSAFA). The Association's founding President was Jeff van Rooyen (Chief Executive of Uranus Investment Holdings and formerly Chief Executive of the Financial Services Board). Other past Presidents of the organisation include Sizwe Nxasana (CEO: FirstRand Banking Group), Futhi Mtoba (Executive Chairman: Deloitte Southern Africa), Sathie Gounden (Former CEO: Gobodo Incorporated) and Moses Kgosana (Chairman & CEO: KPMG Africa).
