NWU Achieves Record-Breaking Results in 2025 SAICA and ICAN Exams, Surpasses National Averages
- Karen Scheepers
- May 27
- 2 min read
The North-West University (NWU) has cemented its status as a top-tier institution for accounting education in South Africa, following the release of the 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) examination results by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN). With a record-breaking pass rate of 95% for SAICA and a perfect 100% for ICAN candidates, NWU continues to stand out in a competitive national landscape where the average pass rate was significantly lower.
Stellar Results Amid National Challenges
The national average pass rate for the SAICA and ICAN exams stood at 70%, an improvement from the previous year’s 67%, according to SAICA. Against this backdrop, NWU’s performance is not only commendable but exceptional. A total of 141 NWU candidates passed the exams in January 2025, the highest number of successful candidates in the university’s history.
Professor Heleen Janse van Vuuren, director of the School of Accounting Sciences at NWU, noted that these results mark a historic high for the institution. “This year’s performance reflects years of consistent effort and support across the university’s academic and administrative structures,” she said.
Transformation and Inclusion in Focus
Beyond overall excellence, NWU’s contribution to the transformation of the accounting profession stands out. Among its African, Coloured, and Indian (ACI) candidates, an impressive 88% passed the SAICA exam, compared to the national average of 64% for these demographic groups. Of the 42 successful ACI candidates, 10 were beneficiaries of the SAICA Thuthuka bursary programme, aimed at nurturing a more diverse pool of chartered accountants.
Professor Janse van Vuuren emphasised the significance of these achievements, highlighting NWU’s ongoing role in supporting equity and diversity within the profession. “We celebrate our contribution to the transformation of the accounting profession, this year and over many years,” she added.
Adapting to a Future-Focused Framework
This year’s IAC exams were the first conducted under SAICA’s new Chartered Accountant of the Future Competency Framework. The updated framework integrates key global developments, including digital transformation and non-financial performance evaluation, equipping aspiring chartered accountants with skills beyond traditional financial reporting.
SAICA welcomed the national uptick in pass rates and praised high-performing institutions like NWU, acknowledging their role in preparing candidates for an evolving professional landscape.
As the accounting profession adapts to new challenges and competencies, NWU’s 2025 IAC exam performance affirms its readiness to lead and innovate in academic excellence and transformation. The university's record-setting results not only reflect its academic rigor but also its sustained commitment to inclusive, future-forward education in South Africa.
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