The University of KwaZulu-Natal recently won the prestigious Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Leadership Award Africa 2023 at the first edition of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) CGMA Professional Awards Africa ceremony in Johannesburg, on 24 November 2023.

This award category acknowledged the University’s exceptional CGMA exam pass rates over the past three years and its remarkable efforts in shaping the future trajectory and progress of the accounting and finance profession, nurturing upcoming leaders across the African continent.

CIMA is a global body for management accountants, prioritising ongoing research and adapting qualification standards to align with employer needs while AICPA is the association for CPAs that establishes ethical guidelines for members and regulates US auditing standards for various entities. The organisation is also responsible for developing and grading the Uniform CPA Examination and plays a crucial role in nurturing future talent for the public accounting profession.

The UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance has accreditation for Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management Accounting from CIMA which is also an ultimate benefit for a student graduating from the University. Programme Manager and Academic Leader for Teaching and Learning, Dr Patricia Shewell, said, ‘We are very grateful for the continued recognition by AICPA and CIMA of our students’ successes, and to be an awardee at the first AICPA and CIMA Professional Award Africa is especially pleasing. We are happy that we are playing an important role in producing future finance and accounting leaders for Africa. We look forward to an ongoing beneficial relationship with the Institute.’

More than 190 submissions and nominations came in from educational institutions, businesses, and individuals across Africa vying for recognition in four distinct categories: CGMA Leadership Award, CGMA Sustainability Award, CGMA Employability Award, and CGMA Culture Award.

Congratulating award recipients, Ms Tariro Mutizwa, ACMA, CGMA, Regional Vice President said, ‘We are proud to host the first-ever edition of the AICPA and CIMA CGMA Professional Awards in Africa, and recognise the great work that businesses, educational institutions and individuals are doing day after day to advance the finance and accounting profession in Africa and ensure its continued success. Congratulations go to them all for their passion, commitment, and hard work, they are an inspiration to us all.’