STUDENT NAME : MG MOKOTI

STUDENT NUMBER : 223207620

TUTOR : ZAKWE THANDOLWETHU

GROUP 3

ESSAT ASSIGNMENT : 3

WORD COUNT :

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Distinguishing a profession from an occupation : from accounting perspective or
accounting profession.

A persistent theoretical and empirical issue in studies of the profession is how it should be
defined and distinguished from other jobs (Thomas, 2010). A profession is an occupation that
requires formal education, knowledge, and training. It can also be a calling or a vacation that
calls for specialized knowledge and frequently extensive academic study. According to a
definition from the turn of the 20th century, "professions entail primarily intellectual activity with
huge individuals' responsibility," (Flexner, 2015).

Because of their position and function as intermediaries and users of the best information within
particular social domains, professions acquire their social standing, autonomy, rewards, trust,
and other advantages. There is no deeper authority to rely on for guidance or understanding.
Put another way. Professionals are typically defined by their extensive expertise and dedication
to offering crucial services to their customers and the general public. The maintenance of self-
regulatory organizations by professions that formally certify that applicants have attained the
required knowledge and abilities controls admission into occupational responsibilities ( Artur,
2018). In the contemporary corporate and bureaucratic world, professional autonomy and self-
regulation still hold true or are even desirable.

A profession rights to exist, along with the power and privileges its members enjoys, rest upon
the profession upholding public values through the development of the body of
knowledge(Tapper & Millet,2014), as for charted accountant that are certified by SAICA enjoys
the privileges of being recognized internationally, for having the CA(SA) behind their name.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROFESSION

1. A body of specialized knowledge.

The amount of specialized training and education needed to enter a profession is one of the key
features that distinguish is from occupation( Sullivan, 2005).The body of specialized knowledge
required for professional practice specifically accounting must be continually advanced through
research, accompanied by the adoption and application of new techniques and methodologies.
In the field of accounting, becoming a qualified charted accountant CA(SA) is a prime example
of specialized knowledge and training (Meter,1976).

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  A recognition status indicated by a license or special designation.

In Accounting profession there are institution that are designed to certify that its practitioners
have basic mastery of care of specialized and they can apply it judicially. In South Africa charted
accounting profession, SAICA is an institution that specify the educational requirements for
becoming a charted accountant, that anyone that desirous of practicing the profession must
obtain. To obtain the CA(SA) designation behind your name in South Africa from SAICA,
aspiring charted accountant must typically complete a bachelor’s degree in accounting sciences
from SAICA’s accredited university or college, which is an undergraduate degree, after
completing an undergraduate degree students must again further their studies and do CTA
which is an honors degree\qualification(Saica.org.za).

During the course of completing university studies, students are required to enter into a
training contract with SAIC’s accredited office and accumulate work experience under
supervision, Deloitte can be one of the good examples of accounting firms that provides CA
training programmes such as articles, where trainee are requires to write and pass ITC after two
years of articles and complete less than 20 months professional programme then also again
write and pass APC, after passing APC you can now register with SIACA and get your certificate
that certifies you as a charted accountant(Saica.org.za, 2023)

2. code of ethics

Professions are often guide by established code of ethics and standards of conduct that guide
them to behave appropriately and professionally towards clients and the public( Tapper & Millet,
2014). The accounting has no exception in this regard, in south Africa the accounting profession
is governed by the SAICA’S code of conduct. The board of SAICA has adopted the international
code of ethics for professional accountants, including international independence standards by
the international ethics standards board for accountants in 2018(Saica’s code of professional
conduct).

The SAICA’s code of professional conduct sets out:

Fundamental principles of ethics for professional accountants, reflecting the profession’s

recognition of its public interest responsibility(Saica’s student handbook,2022\2023). These
principles establish the standard of behavior expected of a professional accountant. The

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Integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional
conduct are important principles (Saica's student handbook, 2022–2023). Professional
accountants must use the conceptual framework provided by the Code to detect, assess, and
deal with challenges to adherence to the fundamental principles.

To assist professional accountants in applying the conceptual framework to specific topics, the
Code lays out requirements and application materials. According to the Code, professional
accountants must adhere to the essential ethical standards (Saica's student handbook, 2022–
2023). They must also use the conceptual framework to identify, assess, and resolve challenges
to fundamental principles compliance, according to the Code. In order to use the conceptual
framework, one must use professional judgment, take precautions for new information and
alterations to the facts and circumstances, and apply the criteria for a reasonable and informed
third party.

Professional accountants are trusted with sensitive financial information, and they are expected
to present such information unbiased and accurately as such information can be used by
internal and external business stakeholders to make decisions( Tapper & Millet, 2014). Charted
accountants are expected to act morally and honestly in their profession, to a point where they
must comply with the law and also adhere to the confidentiality principle(Tapper & Milet, 2014).

3. A CONTINUOUS LEARNING PROCESS OF A RORMAL EDUCATION

Careers require continuous learning and development to keep up with evolving

knowledge, techniques, and technology (Tapper and Millet, 2014). This commitment to
lifelong learning ensures that professionals maintain their skills and continue to provide
high quality services.

Continuing professional development is important in the accounting sector or financial

sector(Grietjie, 2014). As the world is evolving and heading to 4IR,chartered
accountants are expected to engage in ongoing training and development to keep up
with changes in the profession of accountancy, including accounting standards,
financial management, auditing, law, and technology e.g. blockchain, Excell and
Artificial intelligent, cloud storage, for storing client’s information safety measures.

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Additionally, because tax laws and standards change every year, accounting
professionals must also be updated (Grietjie, 2014).

4. Public interest in the work the practitioner performs, specifically from accounting
profession

In exchange for specific social benefits, society grants professions the privileges of setting and
enforcing admission requirements, deciding how professional work should be performed,
engaging in self-regulation as opposed to being subject to extensive external regulation, and
benefiting economically from monopoly positions in the marketplace. In turn, the creation of
these social benefits imposes some limitations on professionals (Thomas,2011).

Because they possess specialized knowledge in areas of vital concern to society, genuine
professionals are expected to place that knowledge at the disposal of all who require it and to
provide services in a way that places the maintenance of professional standards and values
ahead of the securing of individual advantage(Millerson,1964). Accounting professionals must
also consider the interests of the public or stakeholders outside the cooperate
world(Millerson,1964)

profession derives its status from the fundamental element that it is a regime of truth. A
profession is the strongest connection to "truth" because it has a scientific foundation; there is
no higher authority. The only thing that distinguishes professions is this. The next step in the
study of professions can be explored and specified using the more stable, invariant definition
that results from the fact that certain types of scientifically anchored practice are carried by
professions. An outline of a potential entry point for such a novel strategy is provided
above(Thomas B, 2011).

References

Annisete, M. (2000). Accounting organisation and society. " Imperialism and profession" The education
and certification of accountants, 631-651.

Charted Accountants ethican code of conduct. (2015). Retrieved from SIACA: Saicaa.org.za

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Grieftjie, V. (2014). Accounting History. Globalisation of knowledge but not opportunity closure strategies
in the making of south african accounting market1980s to 1950s., 19.

LEE-TOM. (1995). the profession in accountancy. A historic of protecting the public interest in a self
interested way, 8, 48-68.

Mter, W. .. (1969). what is porofession? 42-55.

Sokolowski, R. (n.d.). The fiduciary relationship and the nature of profession in E.d . Ethic trust and the
profession , 22-42.

Sullivan, W. M. (2005). work and integrity. The crisis and promise of profeessionalism.

Saica’s student handbook,2022\2023 .

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