2010 PPE results – national press statement

The Public Practice Examination (PPE) was written on Tuesday, 23 November 2010 in 23 local venues and two international venues; Namibia and the United Kingdom. Of the 1952 aspirant accountants and auditors who wrote the PPE in 2010 (2798 in 2009), 1585 (2320 in 2009) passed resulting in a pass rate of 81% (83% in 2009). Of the 1495 candidates who wrote the examination for the first time, 1305 passed resulting in a first time pass rate of 87%.

The following candidates achieved the top ten places:

1	Mr Alastair Marais
2	Miss Madeleine van Brakel
3	Miss Alexa Joubert Mr Shamir Ramjee
5	Mr Amar Naik Mr Joel Kletz
7	Miss Saaleha Akoojee Ms Caron Bramwell Ms Melanie Cope Ms Hettie Meyer Ms Charne Joubert

All the top ten candidates achieved honours. In total, honours were awarded to 14 candidates who achieved 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 accountants and auditors. Success in the PPE allows candidates the opportunity to register as a Registered Auditor (RA).

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 over the years 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 requirements to the PPE require 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 855 black candidates who wrote the PPE, 641 passed, representing an overall pass rate of 75%.

The IRBA facilitates a support programme for Black repeat candidates on an annual basis. In 2010, Fasset (the Seta for finance, accounting, management consulting and other financial services) provided the IRBA with funding to assist in hosting the Support Programme. The Programme yielded excellent results in 2010. Of the 87 candidate who completed the programme 61 passed; representing a pass rate of 70%. 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 in 2010.

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 2010 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 achievement.

IRBA Learning Results