One in Five SAICA IAC Passes from Milpark Education - Milpark Graduates Shine in 2025 IAC Results

Academics & Programmes

23 Apr 2025

Cape Town, South Africa – April 2025: Results released in April show that at the first 2025 sitting of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC), more than 21% of successful candidates – one in every five – came from Milpark Education, a SAICA-endorsed online learning provider, underscoring the credibility of online pathways to becoming a chartered accountant.

The traditional route to becoming a CA(SA) was through residential universities. Milpark Education’s figures demonstrate that online learning can deliver, particularly for students balancing work and personal commitments.

Milpark, one of 18 SAICA-endorsed education providers, has emerged as the single largest contributor to South Africa’s CA pipeline. SAICA’s figures for the 2024 ITC – the forerunner to the renamed IAC – and the 2025 IAC confirm that Milpark Education contributed the highest number of candidates, both writing and passing the exam.

In total, 908 Milpark PGDA graduates wrote the IAC in January 2025, representing over 28% of all candidates. Of these, 361 were first-time writers, and 547 were repeat candidates.

2025 saw a 63% increase in Milpark graduates writing the exam, with those passing increasing by an impressive 91%.

“SAICA’s figures confirm that when online learning is done right, it works,” says Johnathan Dillon, Head of Milpark’s School of Professional Accounting. “We’ve built a model that makes the CA(SA) journey possible for people who might otherwise have been shut out, and the numbers speak for themselves.”

Supporting Those Who Refuse to Give Up

Milpark students include working professionals, many returning to study after previous academic setbacks or life events.

According to Dillon, Milpark’s model is built around access and support: “Whether they’ve had a long study break, are working full-time, or managing family and financial pressures, our job is to meet our accounting students where they are – and help them succeed.”

“Our focus is not on achieving the highest pass rates,” says Dillon. “We believe in giving every student a fair shot – and helping them make it across the line. We’re delighted that 73% of our graduates who wrote the exam for the first time passed and 44% of our second-time writers – a strong result given the challenges many of them face.”

Closing the Gap Between Online and Traditional Learning

So, why are online learners performing closer to their peers from residential universities?

Milpark students cite structure, support and community as key success factors. Weekly study plans, academic support - from recent PGDA graduates, academic staff and fellow students - and a dedicated psychosocial Student Success & Wellness Team all contribute to an integrated and personalised learning experience.

“Milpark gave me a clear weekly plan – and support when I needed it,” says Kidesh Rajcoomar, who completed his PGDA over two years - Milpark’s innovative half-workload option - while managing articles.

“I took the scenic route to becoming a CA,” says Tariq Mohammad Khan, now a Milpark assistant lecturer after completing his Bridging Course and PGDA at Milpark. “If you take a detour or exit, you can get back on track and become a CA(SA). It’s worth it.”

“You must not look at your circumstances and think they determine your future. You determine your future,” adds Yolanda Sapho, Milpark academic trainee and successful 2025 IAC candidate.

Milpark’s Proven Pathway to CA(SA) Success

Milpark’s IAC results reflect what’s possible when structured, holistic academic and psychosocial support come together in a model designed for real life. With a deep understanding of their students’ needs, Milpark’s flexible, fully online programmes make CA success accessible.

“We know who we serve – working professionals, second-chancers, dreamers who never gave up,” says Dillon. “These results prove they belong in this profession, and Milpark is proud to walk the journey with them.”

Preparing for the CA of the Future

The January 2025 IAC was the first IAC sitting and is fully aligned with SAICA’s new CA of the Future competency framework, emphasising integrated thinking, ethics and digital competencies, among others.

Milpark has embraced this evolution with its fully online BCom in Accounting. It is designed to support the same future-focused outcomes from the first year of study. Milpark's BCom in Accounting, Advanced Accounting Bridging Course, and Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA/CTA) offer South Africa’s first fully online, SAICA-endorsed pathway to becoming a CA(SA).

Share this article:

Milpark Education