During the early 1980’s a need was perceived by the country’s four main Professional Accounting and Secretarial Institutes for a relevant course of study, examinations and membership body for persons who carry out an accounting function at a level below that of a fully qualified accountant. It had been ascertained that many hundreds of workers in the country were engaged in financial/accounting duties but that for many of them there existed no formal qualification which would indicate their accounting abilities, special skills or general business and administrative knowledge.In response to this need ZAAT was formally established in 1984, along the lines of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), as a company limited by guarantee and having no share capital under the sponsorship of the Consultative Committee of Accountants &’

In response to this need ZAAT was formally established in 1984, along the lines of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), as a company limited by guarantee and having no share capital under the sponsorship of the Consultative Committee of Accountants &


Secretarial Bodies (CCASB) whose membership is the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Zimbabwe (ICAZ), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (ZIPFA) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Zimbabwe (ICSAZ) and commenced formal operations on 1 January 1984.

SAAA is an examining body whose main object is to provide a qualification that will be recognized in both the private and public sectors as a clear indication of the individual’s knowledge of accountancy and related subjects, as well as confirmation that a minimum period of time has been spent in applying that knowledge in the working environment.

Education

Students intending to obtain the SAAA qualification have followed various study routes. The majority is studying by correspondence and private colleges while a substantial proportion is attending block release courses at the Government Technical Colleges.

Route to other professional qualifications

While admission to membership confers on the individual member a recognized professional qualification, it has been fully realized that some members would wish to use their SAAA qualification as a “stepping stone” to the higher echelons of the profession.

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants have notified the Association that its members will be eligible for enrolment as students and that some exemptions would be also be granted.

SAAA Has Become of Age.

Review of Syllabi – Higher Diploma in Accountancy
In response to the changing needs of our graduates and members, the Association saw it fit that a review of the syllabi should be implemented, thus in January 2004 a Higher Diploma was introduced.

By making this review we hope to set a standard for the Association for the foreseeable future.

Regional Expansion



It was never to remain a Zimbabwean affair alone. SAAA has taken a brave decision to go regional. The Association has decided to open offices in Mozambique and Botswana. SAAA has a strong desire to spread its wings into regional countries where it can win hearts of different generations in the region.

It is therefore imperative that The Association changes its name, to suit the regional perspective both in terms of its name and its curricular.

Change of Name

On the 1st of January 2006 The Association changed its name from: -
Zimbabwe Association of Accounting Technicians (ZAAT) to:-
Southern Africa Association of Accountants (SAAA)
The new name is broad enough to encompass the whole region.