Johannesburg / 24 February 2012
Public Practice Examination
Overall results
The Public Practice Examination (PPE) was written on Thursday, 24 November 2011 in 23 local venues and three international venues; Namibia, Swaziland and the United Kingdom. Of the 2054 aspirant accountants and auditors who wrote the PPE in 2011 (1952 in 2010), 1517 (1585 in 2010) passed resulting in a pass rate of 74% (81% in 2010). Of the 1707 candidates who wrote the examination for the first time, 1361 passed; resulting in a first time pass rate of 80%.
The following candidates achieved the top ten places:
1 Mr Tim Acker (Honours)
2 Ms Byravi Yogeswaran (Honours)
3 Ms Tessa Hanan (Honours)
4 Mr Tim Escott (Honours)
5 Mrs Chantell Haines (Honours)
6 Ms Mahdiyyah Moola (Honours)
7 Ms Preeti Sukha
8 Mr Renier Strydom
9 Ms Lori Berelowitz
10 Ms Carri Aronson
10 Mr Darren Roy
Six candidates achieved honours, which is awarded for a pass mark of 75% or above.
Entry to the PPE is a culmination of a long and rigorous academic, training and assessment process aimed at developing the core and professional competence of prospective auditors.
The PPE
The objective of the PPE is to assess the professional competence of candidates at entry to the auditing profession. Within the constraints of a written examination, the IRBA has developed the PPE to ensure that it is an appropriate assessment of professional competence and that it reflects the multidisciplinary public practice environment.
The primary objective of the IRBA as established in terms of section 3 of the Auditing Profession Act, 2005 (the Act) is to protect the public through regulation of the auditing profession. In this regard, the IRBA has a duty to ensure that only those who have demonstrated an appropriate degree of professional competence are registered as auditors.
Candidates must demonstrate an ability to solve multidisciplinary practice problems in an integrated manner and to do so must analyse and interpret information and provide viable solutions to address specific client needs. The ability to demonstrate logical thought and exercise professional judgment is an integral part of the examination.
Admission to the PPE requires completion of recognised academic, education, training and assessment programmes. The qualification period is at least seven years and is similar to that of other highly regarded professions and internationally recognised accounting bodies.
Transformation of the profession
Transformation of the profession remains a priority for the IRBA. Of the 912 black candidates who wrote the PPE, 599 passed, representing an overall pass rate of 66%.
The IRBA manages a support programme for Black repeat candidates on an annual basis. In 2011, Fasset (the Seta for finance, accounting, management consulting and other financial services) provided the IRBA with funding to assist in running the support programme. The support programme has, yet again, proven to be successful in 2011. Without exception the candidates who attended the Support Programme achieved better results on each question than repeat candidates who did not attend the support programme. Of the 78 candidates who completed the programme 33 passed, representing a pass rate of 42%. Of the 203 Black repeat candidates, who did not attend the support programme, 76 passed, representing a pass rate of 33%.
In conclusion
The IRBA wishes to acknowledge the significant contribution made by the various education institutions, training offices and professional bodies towards the success of the 2011 PPE candidates.
The IRBA's examination continues to be afforded both local and international recognition and we wish to congratulate our successful candidates on their outstanding achievement.
Laine Katzin
Director: Education, Training and Professional Development
Contact: 087 47 8797
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.irba.co.za
About the IRBA
The objective of the IRBA is to endeavour to protect the financial interests of the South African public and international investors in South Africa through the effective and appropriate regulation of audits conducted by registered auditors, in accordance with internationally recognised standards and processes.
