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2026 comparison

Chartered Accountant vs Actuary salary in South Africa

Compare salary, demand, difficulty, and long-term growth to choose the right career path.

Quick answer

Chartered Accountant vs Actuary in South Africa

Higher paying career
Actuary
Monthly difference
R10 000
Easier to enter
Chartered Accountant
Better long-term
Actuary

Winner summary

Winner for salary
Actuary (+R10 000/month)
Easier entry
Chartered Accountant
Best long-term
Actuary
Verdict

Choose Actuary if your goal is higher income and long-term growth.

Choose Chartered Accountant if your goal is faster entry and lower barriers.

Career overview

Chartered Accountant

Demand: 9/10

Salary guide
Requirements

BCom Accounting + CTA + SAICA articles.

  • BCom Accounting
  • CTA / Honours
  • SAICA articles
Salary
EntryR35 000
MidR75 000
SeniorR130 000
Top 20%R250 000

Actuary

Demand: 8/10

Salary guide
Requirements

BSc Actuarial Science + ASSA exams.

  • Actuarial Science degree
  • ASSA exams
  • Strong maths
Salary
EntryR35 000
MidR85 000
SeniorR140 000
Top 20%R230 000

Salary breakdown

Entry
Chartered AccountantR35 000
ActuaryR35 000
Mid
Chartered AccountantR75 000
ActuaryR85 000
Senior
Chartered AccountantR130 000
ActuaryR140 000
Top 20%
Chartered AccountantR250 000
ActuaryR230 000

Demand and difficulty

Demand

Chartered Accountant (9/10)9/10
Actuary (8/10)8/10

Difficulty

Chartered Accountant (9/10)9/10
Actuary (10/10)10/10
Salary difference
+R10 000/month

The salary gap at senior level is about R10 000 per month. Actuary earns more due to higher demand and stronger salary growth at senior level.

See full Actuary salary in South Africa →

Key questions

Which pays more in South Africa?

Actuary pays more, with senior salaries around R140 000 per month compared to R130 000 for Chartered Accountant.

Which is easier to enter?

Chartered Accountant is easier to enter due to lower difficulty and more accessible requirements.

Which is better long-term?

Actuary offers stronger long-term potential based on higher salary ceilings and demand.

Detailed comparison

When comparing Chartered Accountant vs Actuary in South Africa, the senior-level salary difference is R10 000 per month.

Chartered Accountant is better for quicker entry into the workforce. Actuary is better for long-term earnings and career growth.

Skills and requirements

Chartered Accountant

Core skills
  • IFRSHigh
  • Tax (SARS)High
  • AuditHigh
  • Financial modellingMedium

Actuary

Core skills
  • Statistical modellingHigh
  • Financial riskHigh
  • ASSA exam progressHigh

Side by side

IFRS
Chartered Accountant needs this
Less central
Tax (SARS)
Chartered Accountant needs this
Less central
Audit
Chartered Accountant needs this
Less central
Financial modelling
Chartered Accountant needs this
Less central
Statistical modelling
Less central
Actuary needs this
Financial risk
Less central
Actuary needs this

Career progression

Chartered Accountant

Article ClerkR18 000
Newly-qualified CAR50 000
Senior CA / ManagerR90 000
Financial ManagerR130 000

Actuary

Trainee ActuaryR40 000
Actuarial AnalystR85 000
Qualified Actuary (FASSA)R140 000
Chief ActuaryR230 000

Related insights

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