EY Graduate, Internship and Bursary Programmes

Welcome. At EY you’ll be able to learn in an innovative, progressive environment and develop quickly within your chosen career path. Read on for the support, advice and tips you need to apply for one of our programmes.

Apply to available openings in any of the programmes listed on this page

 
 

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Applying to an EY programme? Here’s what you need to know

When you join EY, you join a global firm with people at its center. Our culture is as diverse as it is inclusive, and we welcome those who think differently and work smartly. You’ll be challenged by the incredible work you have the opportunity to do when you join this firm and, through your exposure to our diverse clients, people and programmes, you’ll grow faster than you would anywhere else.

Below are the details of our application process for each programme. We’ve made it as clear and as helpful as possible so you know what to expect. Don’t miss out on the programme you are interested in so please read through all the information below to understand what you need to do to be eligible to join and how to apply. 

Our Programmes

All EY Programmes listed are open for application from 1 February every year and applications close on 31  July of every year.

To apply to one of our programmes, click on the title below and follow the links.

  • Assurance/Audit Graduate Programme

    General Information

    We offer three-year trainee contracts to top-calibre students who are studying towards a Chartered Accountancy qualification at a SAICA-accredited university. Contracts are issued while you are still studying and confirmed when you successfully complete your qualification.

    You can apply to start articles once you have completed your Honours/CTA/PGDA 

    Articles will be served in our Audit service line over a period of three years. During this time, you will be required to write two Qualifying Board Exams. The first is written in January of your first year and the second is written in November of your second year. You are also required to work 3600 core hours and achieve SAICA competencies over your three years of training.

    Requirements

    To pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant you will need to enrol for a BCom Accounting degree or an equivalent CA(SA) undergraduate qualification at a SAICA accredited university. Once you have completed your degree you will be required to complete your Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA)/ Honours/ Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA). Our firm is diverse, so if you are thinking about a profession in Tax, International Tax, or Transfer Pricing, then our Graduate Programme is also for you.

  • Business Experience Programme: Audit

    General Information

    Our Business Experience Programme affords students the opportunity to develop skills such as teamwork, interpersonal, communication and basic auditing skills. We ensure that students are adequately equipped to tackle the business world. We also assist students identify their skills and competencies from a range of assessment techniques, which will help enhance their potential as effective team members within a professional services organization.

    The programme offers students an opportunity to learn more about EY, the services lines and client portfolios. Students who experience our working environment and then return to their academic studies find their studies more relevant as they can relate it to their working experience.

     

    Requirements

    To participate in the Business Experience Programme, you will need to enrol for a B Com Accounting degree or an equivalent CA(SA) undergraduate qualification at a SAICA accredited university. This programme is open to all undergraduate students including 1st year students.

  • Strategy and Transactions Graduate Programme

    General Information

    In Strategy and Transactions (SaT), you’ll be part of a team that leads digital change through four key areas:

    • Strategy and ecosystem: Learn how clients identify new partners and M&A targets to support their digital growth.
    • Capital and portfolio review: Become skilled in advising clients on how to get their capital allocation balance right. Continuously review their business portfolio to ensure they are making the right investments and divestments.
    • Deal process: Deploy a deep analysis of new types of diligence when evaluating a target. This might include undertaking cyber diligence or applying intellectual property analysis.
    • Integration: You’ll work with companies to target multiple digital assets simultaneously and guide their integration to help deliver maximum value quickly.

    Requirements

    Applications are open to those in their final year of study at the time of applying; and studying towards a BCom and/or Bachelor of Business Science (BBusSc) degree. A minimum overall academic average of 65% and above in one of the following fields of study: Finance, Economics, Statistics, Information Management, Actuarial Sciences is required.

  • Vacation Work - Audit

    General Information

    EY understands the importance of personal and career development. Choosing to join our organisation for short period over your University holidays is a fantastic way to gain all the exposure you will need to understand more about our organisational culture, people, business and clients. Vacation work includes interaction with clients and first-hand audit experience.

    Requirements

    The programme applications open in January and June and is open to second, third and final year students studying a relevant accounting degree at a SAICA accredited University. Students with an academic average of 60% and above are invited to apply. 

  • Bursary Programme

    General information

    EY is committed to growing and transforming the Chartered Accountancy profession. Importantly, we believe in individual development from school level through university and into the world of work.

    Bursaries are awarded to individuals who we believe have the commitment to qualify as a Chartered Accountant and an academic record which indicates the ability to do so with due regard to financial need. In return for the bursary, the student is required to work at EY for the duration of their training contract (a minimum of three years).

    Eligibility requirements

    The first requirement to be eligible for a bursary is South African citizenship and a valid South African identity document. We require an academic record of a minimum of four A’s, excluding Life Orientation; that you will be studying toward a relevant CA degree (three to four years) and a year Accounting Honours/Certificate in Theory in Accounting (CTA). Further, you should be accepted and/or enrolled at a SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) accredited University. The list of accredited Universities can be found on the Matric bursary page.

    Visit the Matric Bursary page for more information and to apply to the programme today.

Apply today

 

All our Graduate, Vacation, Internship and Business Experience Programme openings can be found by clicking this link. If you are a first-time applicant, first register your profile and then select the programme you are interested in applying for. Remember to attach following:

  •  Curriculum vitae
  • Identification Document copy
  •  Matric certificate
  • Academic Transcript to date

 

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“The Actuarial recruitment process is a competitive process, so one has to have a lot more to offer than just a good academic record. I’m currently an Actuarial Associate working in the Actuarial Advisory Division at the EY Johannesburg office. I wanted to join EY for the exposure to a variety of different projects and companies. I was intrigued by the company culture and global mindset of the organisation. It’s also very exciting to be able to be able to apply my skills, interact with clients and add value to the assignments I’m working on.”

- Terri Elie | Actuarial Services

Terri

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