Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

These are the questions we were asking last year:

1. What are the Working Hours?
2. Do we have to study?
3. What can we study?
4. Do we have to have tutored previously?
5. Do we have to lecture?
6. Do we have to be signed with a firm?
7. How does the AT year affect training with our signed firm?
8. How do the firms regard the AT year?
9. How many trainees do the firm allow to do AT?
10. Do we get forgotten by our firms?
11. How do we get remunerated?
12. Can we do any other non-AT work, i.e. private tutoring?
13. Do I have to have good marks?
14. Does an AT have free time?
15. Do we get leave?
16. What do we do during the Varsity Vacs?

Answers:

1.     What are the Working Hours?
There are no set hours that we have to be on campus, but at least a 40 hour week is expected, working on your research at home also classifies as work hours. The only times you are expected on campus is for tutorials, lectures, consultation hours and related administration as discussed with your section and Departmental commitments e.g. staff meetings and faculty sessions. Other than that you must be on call, i.e. available to come up if needed.

2.     Do we have to study?                                                       
Yes it is a requirement.

3.     What can we study?
There are quite a few courses that meet the research requirement.
Financial Accounting Honours
Financial Management Honours and Masters
Post-Graduate Diploma in Income Tax Law
Masters in Property Studies

4.     Do we have to have tutored previously?       
No, however you need to be prepared to tutor, it is the bulk of our work. So it would be recommended, as dealing with students is not always easy.

5.     Do we have to lecture?                                                     
Yes, but the amount of lecturing is section dependent.

6.     Do we have to be signed with a firm?
Yes. The structure is that your firm seconds you to UCT for the AT year. Please consult with your firm on whether they are happy to second you.

7.     How does the AT year affect training with our signed firm?
It is firm dependent. The Cape Town firms generally train you while you are an AT. The Johannesburg firms may however wait for you to join them to train you.

8.     How do the firms regard the AT year?   
They regard it very highly, especially with regards to our superior technical knowledge having studied further in our respective fields. They also rate the presentation and communication skills we obtain through lecturing and tutoring very highly.

9.     How many trainees do the firm allow to do AT? 
It is firm dependent. It depends on the number of trainees that pass their respective CTA's (PGDA), as well as their work load for the year ahead.

10.  Do we get forgotten by our firms?
Yet again firm dependent. It is also your responsibility to keep in touch with your firm, as it is a two-way relationship. Best advice is to attend the bulk of the social functions during the year. Try and keep contact with another first-year clerk at your firm to remain in the loop.

11.   How do we get remunerated?                                           
On a par with your firm. We cannot disclose whether it is better or worse, but it is more than sufficient. What we can say is that it is structured that the pay is a fixed monthly amount, there are no medical benefits or pension etc. and there is no increase on passing Part 1 of the Qualifying exam (but there is a "passing" bonus). It is also set between the Cape Town and Johannesburg firms' average salaries.

12.    Can we do any other non-AT work, i.e. private tutoring?
You cannot privately tutor UCT students in the courses you already tutor and lecture. You may also not use UCT materials to tutor non-UCT students. What you also have to consider is that you meet your AT requirements.

13.    Do I have to have good marks?                  
No, all you need is to pass PGDA and display academic potential, unfortunately 2 year PGDA students may not become an AT.

14.    Does an AT have free time?
Enough, but you will you end up doing a lot more than you think.
Marking and preparation for tutorials and lectures does take up plenty of time.

15.    Do we get leave?
Yes the same as the clerks at the Firm, it works out to 15 days leave per annum.

16.    What do we do during the Varsity Vacs?
Mark test scripts.
Work on your dissertation.
Consultation for PGDA students.
Work on any other work you pick up.