A R72,300 basic salary sounds like a lot of money. But when I shared a CA(SA)’s payslip on the TikTok channel Liferesetwithboni, the question was not simply, “Is this a good salary?” The bigger question was, ‘Is this enough for a chartered accountant with two years of post-qualification experience, especially in today’s changing accounting industry?’
What the payslip shows
The payslip shows a basic salary of R72,300, with medical aid and pension bringing the total package to R79,166.67.
After deductions of R23,304.22, the employee takes home R48,995.78. That is a respectable package in my view but a salary should always be considered in context.
Click below to see the real payslip and join the conversation!
The accounting industry is changing
Accounting is no longer simply about preparing financial statements, checking numbers and submitting compliance documents. Technology and AI are changing the work accountants do according to this article from Stanford Business School. Routine tasks are increasingly being automated, while employers are looking for professionals who can work with data, technology and AI while still bringing professional judgement and commercial understanding.
SAICA is also actively preparing the profession for this shift. Its current competency framework focuses on developing CAs who can analyse information, think strategically and create value beyond traditional accounting functions. This means the value of a CA(SA) increasingly goes beyond the qualification itself.
Experience still matters
The 2026 finance recruitment market is showing strong demand for qualified CAs, but employers are becoming more selective. Specialist skills, commercial experience, data capabilities and systems exposure can make a significant difference to earning potential. That is why two CAs with the same qualification can earn very different salaries. Industry, company size, job title, responsibilities and additional skills all matter. And this was reflected in the TikTok comments below.
Some people felt the salary was very good for someone only two years post-qualification. Another commenter pointed out that we don’t even know whether the person is an analyst, manager, senior manager or heading a finance function.
So, is R72,300 enough?
For two years post-qualification, I think this is a good and respectable salary, although I wouldn’t automatically call it exceptional. And I think some of the reactions to this payslip are worth discussing because social media can give us a very distorted picture of what people actually earn. Everyone seems to be driving a luxury car, buying property, travelling and earning six figures, but that simply isn’t the reality for many South Africans. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that a salary is good while still recognising that there is room to grow.
The more important question is what happens next. A CA(SA) who builds strong commercial, technological, data, leadership and strategic skills can position themselves for significantly bigger opportunities as their experience grows. Moving between companies, taking on more responsibility and developing specialised skills can also change your earning potential.
So perhaps the real lesson from this payslip isn’t “CAs earn R72,300″. It is this: your qualification gets you into the conversation, but your experience, skills and ability to create value determine how far your salary can go. And in an industry that is changing rapidly, that is a much more interesting conversation about the future of accounting in South Africa.
You can email boni@liferesetwithboni.com to submit your payslip from anywhere in Africa with the following details: Years of experience, qualifications, industry and the job title.
