TOPP Background

TOPP was launched in 1996 following the realization that more than half of South Africa's chartered accountants (CAs(SA) operate in commerce and industry. TOPP has been designed to offer an alternative route to the conventional training inside public practice (TIPP) career path. Prospective chartered accountants can choose between the traditional auditing route and the financial management specialization route that the TOPP programme offers. This effectively means that SAICA offers two chartered accountant leaernership alternatives: CA(SA) audit route and CA(SA) financial management specialisation route.

About our Programme

TOPP at Transnet is a three year learnership programme for candidates who have CTA or equivalent.

The stringent requirement of SAICA demand that trainees receive extensive training in financial management, management accounting, financial accounting, Internal Audit & Corporate Governance and Taxation. This also includes the professional skills like interpersonal, communication, intellectual, personal, organisational & management skills.

In Transnet, the trainees are rotated to the head office and several of its business units, e.g. Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet National Ports Authority, Transnet Port Terminals and Transnet Rail Engineering. The rotation will be tailored to meet the needs of the trainee and the respective business unit, with the trainee spending at least one-third of the practical training in one business.

The training programme matches the depth of the SAICA syllabus requirements with a wide business exposure.

Our Selection Criteria

The minimum entry requirement is the Certificate in Theory of Accounting (CTA) / B Compt Hons and each applicant must also demonstrate:

· Consistent progress in their accountancy studies, · Strong verbal communication skills, and · Analytical ability

The technical requirement for a candidate is a successful CTA or the equivalent honours degree.

Training Support

Transnet will offer its trainees industry level support to ensure their success in the programme.

The training programme will provide for:

· Study leave; · Supplementary courses; · General business management training; · Exam technique courses, revision courses for the board exams; and · Study schools

About Mentorship

Trainees are assigned mentors from the CA's within the Transnet Group. These mentors have volunteered their time, passion and dedication to the success of the programme and the trainee accountants. They provide leadership, empowerment, guidance and advice to trainee accountants on their career path.

About Supervision

Supervisors are the line managers who ensure that training takes place. They are responsible for the day to day training, workstation, timesheets and leave authorisation, and attendance of assessment meetings. They also provide career guidance to trainees.

 Profiles of  ex-trainees

	"My experience with TOPP at Transnet was phenomenal. It complimented my analytical and critical-thinking skills which I had acquired from my previous TIPP experience. TOPP changed my satellite-perspective of business to a realistic, more hands-on and challenging knowledge of business. All Transnet senior management and executives' doors are wide open for trainees to learn.
I know that my commendable victory in my FQE exams was as a direct result of the open-mindedness gained from my TOPP experience."  - Noluthando Radebe, CA(SA)
	"I qualified through Transnet TOPP program. The experience gathered within Transnet is phenomenal in that you get exposure across a spectrum of industries/sectors. I was exposed to the following Operating Divisions: Transwerk, National Ports Authority, SAA, Group Internal Audit and Group Reporting. One thing I particularly liked about Transnet TOPP is the way the program is structured and coordinated.
I can certainly attribute success in my current position to the rigorous training and soft skills obtained from Transnet."  - Matome Moholola (CA)SA
	"I qualified as a CA and also completed my learnership through Transnet TOPP Programme in 2004. I had an opportunity to work throughout Transnet Divisions around South Africa, eg. NPA and SAPO (Durban); NPA (Richards Bay); Esselenpark (Kempton Park); Transwerk and Internal Audit (Cape Town).           After completion of learnership, I then joined Transnet Group Financial Planning as a Capex Manager.
My responsibilities include monitoring and reporting on capital spending; evaluation of capital investment projects; capital budgeting (preparation of the Group Capital budget); supervising trainees deployed to Group Financial Planning and mentorship. Thanks to the TOPP Programme for the exposure I was afforded during my learnership".  - Niresh Budhai (CA)SA

How to apply:

e-mail or fax the following copies: CV, academic transcript including certified copies of matric, ID and degree(s) to

topp@transnet.net

Fax: (011) 308-1269