Member Designations & Requirements
Explore CIGFARO's professional designations and membership pathways, including qualification requirements, assessment criteria, experience requirements and competency standards.
Find the membership pathway that matches your career
CIGFARO offers professional designations for public sector professionals at different career levels, together with membership options for students and individuals who wish to become affiliated with the Institute.
(PSExec SA) Public Sector Professional
(PSPro SA) Public Sector Technician
(PST SA) Public Sector Practitioner
(PSP SA) Student Member Affiliate Member
Public Sector Executive (PSExec SA)
Public Sector Executive
Higher Education Qualification
At least NQF Level 8 or higher qualification in the fields of Finance, Audit, Risk Management and Performance Management, or any relevant qualification.
And / OrMust have a Certificate in Municipal Financial Management (SAQA Qualifications ID No. 48965) for Local Government employees.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
- Finance mandatory Accounting III
- Internal Auditing mandatory Auditing III
25 points per year
75 points per 3-year cycle
Required Subjects
Must have studied at least four of the following subjects in the NQF 8 qualification:
- Accounting III
- Introduction to Auditing
- Introduction to Risk Management
- Introduction to Performance Management
- Economics / Business Economics III
- Financial Management III
- Supply Chain Management
- Cost and Management Accounting III
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Executive (PSExec (SA))
Competencies Required
Strategic level of understanding
- Ethical Behaviour and Professionalism
- Strategy, Risk and Governance
- Accounting and External Reporting
- Financial Management
- Management Decision Making and Control
- Auditing and Assurance
Work Related Experience
Applicant has a minimum of 7 years Senior Management level experience in the Public Sector.
Public Sector Professional (PSPro SA)
Public Sector Professional
Higher Education Qualification
NQF Level 7 qualification in fields of Accounting, Finance or Economics.
And / OrObtained the Certificate in Municipal Financial Management (SAQA Qualifications ID No. 48965).
Compulsory 2-hour per year Ethical Training.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
25 points per year
75 points per 3-year cycle
Required Subjects
Must have studied at least three of the following subjects in the NQF 7 qualification:
- Accounting III
- Introduction to Auditing
- Introduction to Risk Management
- Introduction to Performance Management
- Economics / Business Economics III
- Financial Management III
- Supply Chain Management
- Cost and Management Accounting III
- Auditing III
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Financial Risk Management
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Professional (PSPro (SA))
Competencies Required
Management level of understanding
- Revenue (Tariff and Collections)
- Expenditure
- Budgeting and Costing
- Annual Financial Statements and Standards
- Insurance, Borrowing and Investments
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Internal Auditing
- Risk Management
Work Related Experience
Applicant has a minimum of 5 years at Middle Management in the Public Sector.
Public Sector Technician (PST SA)
Public Sector Technician
Higher Education Qualification
NQF Level 6 or higher qualification in the fields of Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Performance Management or any relevant qualification.
Compulsory 2-hour per year Ethical Training.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
25 points per year
75 points per 3-year cycle
Work Related Experience
Applicant has a minimum of 4 years of which at least 2 years must have been on Junior Management (or higher) level or 5 years at any level in a role related to the position in the Public Sector.
Required Subjects
Must have studied at least two of the following subjects in the NQF 6 qualification:
- Accounting I & II
- Economics / Business Economics I & II
- Financial Management
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Auditing I & II
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Financial Risk Management
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Technician (PST (SA))
Competencies Required
Supervisory Member level of understanding
- Revenue (Tariff and Collections)
- Expenditure
- Budgeting and Costing
- Annual Financial Statements and Standards
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Internal Auditing
- Risk Management
- Must have all the competencies – training to be provided
Public Sector Practitioner (PSP SA)
Public Sector Practitioner
Higher Education Qualification
NQF Level 6 or higher qualification.
Compulsory 2-hour per year Ethical Training.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
15 points per year
45 points per 3-year cycle
Work Related Experience
An applicant must be an intern employed in Finance, Audit, Risk Management and Performance Management in any relevant position.
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Practitioner (PSP (SA))
Competencies Required
Operational level of understanding
- Revenue (Tariff and Collections)
- Expenditure
- Budgeting and Costing
- Annual Financial Statements (Input)
- Insurance and Preparation of Investments
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Auditing
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Financial Risk Management
- Must have at least two
Registered Student
Registered Student
A membership pathway for full-time students studying in a relevant public finance, audit or risk-related field.
Higher Education Qualification
A person who is full-time studying in Finance, Audit, Risk Management or a related qualification at a Tertiary Institution and who is not working in the Public Sector.
Supporting Documentation
Student applicants must provide certified proof of their current registration at the University, University of Technology or College where they are studying.
Affiliated Member
Affiliated Member
For persons involved in finance, audit, risk or performance management matters who do not have a related qualification.
Who can apply?
- Municipal Finance Officers
- Municipal Managers
- Mayors and MMC’s
- Councillors who are Finance Portfolio Members or who have served at least 2 years as a Finance Portfolio Member
- Officials in related institutions involved in financial matters
- Officials in the private sector involved in Public Sector Finance
Additional Eligible Roles
- Municipal Auditing Officers
- MMC’s Corporate Services and Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation
- MPAC Chairperson
- Councillors/Officials who are members of an Audit Committee or who have served at least 2 years as an auditing Portfolio Member
- Officials in related institutions involved in auditing matters
- Officials in the private sector involved in Public Sector auditing
“Local or related authority” means any or all of the following:
- A Local Authority as defined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
- A Local Authority of any independent country in Southern Africa.
- Any organization which provides public sector services, including financial services, Internal and External Audit, Risk and Performance Management, Compliance Practice as approved by the Board.
Any of the following organisations:
- All 3 Spheres of Government.
- Organized Local Government – Public Sector.
- The Auditor General.
- Approved Service Providers dealing directly with Public Sector.
- Members of the Government SETA’s.
- Public Sector Unions; and
- Tertiary Institutions.
Ready to apply for membership?
Apply for the professional designation or membership category that best reflects your current qualifications, experience and career stage. Review the requirements above and submit the supporting documentation applicable to your selected category.
Apply for MembershipMember Designations & Requirements
Explore CIGFARO's professional designations and membership pathways, including qualification requirements, assessment criteria, experience requirements and competency standards.
Find the membership pathway that matches your career
CIGFARO offers professional designations for public sector professionals at different career levels, together with membership options for students and individuals who wish to become affiliated with the Institute.
(PSExec SA) Public Sector Professional
(PSPro SA) Public Sector Technician
(PST SA) Public Sector Practitioner
(PSP SA) Student Member Affiliate Member
Public Sector Executive (PSExec SA)
Public Sector Executive
Higher Education Qualification
At least NQF Level 8 or higher qualification in the fields of Finance, Audit, Risk Management and Performance Management, or any relevant qualification.
And / OrMust have a Certificate in Municipal Financial Management (SAQA Qualifications ID No. 48965) for Local Government employees.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
- Finance mandatory Accounting III
- Internal Auditing mandatory Auditing III
25 points per year
75 points per 3-year cycle
Required Subjects
Must have studied at least four of the following subjects in the NQF 8 qualification:
- Accounting III
- Introduction to Auditing
- Introduction to Risk Management
- Introduction to Performance Management
- Economics / Business Economics III
- Financial Management III
- Supply Chain Management
- Cost and Management Accounting III
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Executive (PSExec (SA))
Competencies Required
Strategic level of understanding
- Ethical Behaviour and Professionalism
- Strategy, Risk and Governance
- Accounting and External Reporting
- Financial Management
- Management Decision Making and Control
- Auditing and Assurance
Work Related Experience
Applicant has a minimum of 7 years Senior Management level experience in the Public Sector.
Public Sector Professional (PSPro SA)
Public Sector Professional
Higher Education Qualification
NQF Level 7 qualification in fields of Accounting, Finance or Economics.
And / OrObtained the Certificate in Municipal Financial Management (SAQA Qualifications ID No. 48965).
Compulsory 2-hour per year Ethical Training.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
25 points per year
75 points per 3-year cycle
Required Subjects
Must have studied at least three of the following subjects in the NQF 7 qualification:
- Accounting III
- Introduction to Auditing
- Introduction to Risk Management
- Introduction to Performance Management
- Economics / Business Economics III
- Financial Management III
- Supply Chain Management
- Cost and Management Accounting III
- Auditing III
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Financial Risk Management
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Professional (PSPro (SA))
Competencies Required
Management level of understanding
- Revenue (Tariff and Collections)
- Expenditure
- Budgeting and Costing
- Annual Financial Statements and Standards
- Insurance, Borrowing and Investments
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Internal Auditing
- Risk Management
Work Related Experience
Applicant has a minimum of 5 years at Middle Management in the Public Sector.
Public Sector Technician (PST SA)
Public Sector Technician
Higher Education Qualification
NQF Level 6 or higher qualification in the fields of Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Performance Management or any relevant qualification.
Compulsory 2-hour per year Ethical Training.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
25 points per year
75 points per 3-year cycle
Work Related Experience
Applicant has a minimum of 4 years of which at least 2 years must have been on Junior Management (or higher) level or 5 years at any level in a role related to the position in the Public Sector.
Required Subjects
Must have studied at least two of the following subjects in the NQF 6 qualification:
- Accounting I & II
- Economics / Business Economics I & II
- Financial Management
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Auditing I & II
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Financial Risk Management
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Technician (PST (SA))
Competencies Required
Supervisory Member level of understanding
- Revenue (Tariff and Collections)
- Expenditure
- Budgeting and Costing
- Annual Financial Statements and Standards
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Internal Auditing
- Risk Management
- Must have all the competencies – training to be provided
Public Sector Practitioner (PSP SA)
Public Sector Practitioner
Higher Education Qualification
NQF Level 6 or higher qualification.
Compulsory 2-hour per year Ethical Training.
Assessment Criteria for New Applicants
- Updated CV
- Certified Copy of ID
- Certified Qualifications
- Confirmation letter of employment
15 points per year
45 points per 3-year cycle
Work Related Experience
An applicant must be an intern employed in Finance, Audit, Risk Management and Performance Management in any relevant position.
Designation to be Awarded
Public Sector Practitioner (PSP (SA))
Competencies Required
Operational level of understanding
- Revenue (Tariff and Collections)
- Expenditure
- Budgeting and Costing
- Annual Financial Statements (Input)
- Insurance and Preparation of Investments
- Supply Chain Management
- Asset Management
- Auditing
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Financial Risk Management
- Must have at least two
Registered Student
Registered Student
A membership pathway for full-time students studying in a relevant public finance, audit or risk-related field.
Higher Education Qualification
A person who is full-time studying in Finance, Audit, Risk Management or a related qualification at a Tertiary Institution and who is not working in the Public Sector.
Supporting Documentation
Student applicants must provide certified proof of their current registration at the University, University of Technology or College where they are studying.
Affiliated Member
Affiliated Member
For persons involved in finance, audit, risk or performance management matters who do not have a related qualification.
Who can apply?
- Municipal Finance Officers
- Municipal Managers
- Mayors and MMC’s
- Councillors who are Finance Portfolio Members or who have served at least 2 years as a Finance Portfolio Member
- Officials in related institutions involved in financial matters
- Officials in the private sector involved in Public Sector Finance
Additional Eligible Roles
- Municipal Auditing Officers
- MMC’s Corporate Services and Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation
- MPAC Chairperson
- Councillors/Officials who are members of an Audit Committee or who have served at least 2 years as an auditing Portfolio Member
- Officials in related institutions involved in auditing matters
- Officials in the private sector involved in Public Sector auditing
“Local or related authority” means any or all of the following:
- A Local Authority as defined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
- A Local Authority of any independent country in Southern Africa.
- Any organization which provides public sector services, including financial services, Internal and External Audit, Risk and Performance Management, Compliance Practice as approved by the Board.
Any of the following organisations:
- All 3 Spheres of Government.
- Organized Local Government – Public Sector.
- The Auditor General.
- Approved Service Providers dealing directly with Public Sector.
- Members of the Government SETA’s.
- Public Sector Unions; and
- Tertiary Institutions.
Ready to apply for membership?
Apply for the professional designation or membership category that best reflects your current qualifications, experience and career stage. Review the requirements above and submit the supporting documentation applicable to your selected category.
Apply for Membership