Highest Paying Finance Jobs in South Africa

Finance is at the core of every established company and even start-ups. Without funding, income statements, and budget allocation, it is impossible to run a successful business. To manage these tasks, an individual needs a degree in finance. In South Africa, the field of finance offers some of the highest-paying roles for graduates.

It is closely connected to economics and accounting and plays a role across both the private and public sectors. At its core, finance refers to the management of money.  However, it also includes managing assets, liabilities, debt, and investments. 

In this article, we learn more about the highest-paying finance jobs in South Africa, along with salaries and the skills required to succeed. 

Factors That Influence Salaries in Finance 

Finance is a vast field that includes job profiles such as investment bankers and risk managers. The specific role a graduate pursues often depends on the industry they aim to enter. Let us explore some factors that can influence salaries for some of the highest-paying finance jobs in South Africa. 

• Education and Qualifications: An accredited education from a prestigious institution is the first step towards a career in finance. Accreditation adds extra weight to your degree and informs prospective employers that your education meets specific standards.
• Experience Level: Salaries are also influenced by experience, as skilled professionals are better equipped to assess risk and anticipate potential challenges. As a result, senior-level employees typically command higher remuneration.
• Industry: Certain industries, such as banking and financial services, pay higher salaries than others and offer bonuses and commissions. Other industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, technology, etc., also advertise well-paying finance jobs.
• Location: While a finance job generally pays above-average salaries in South Africa, salaries can vary by location. Major cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town offer highly competitive packages.

Top 10 Highest-Paying Finance Jobs in South Africa

A degree in finance does not limit one to working in banks or financial institutions. Individuals can also work in this field while employed by retail or mining companies. Additionally, finance jobs are also available in the public sector. This demonstrates how important finance is to running a business. 

A degree in finance combined with work experience can also pave the way for establishing your own business.

Let us look at the top 10 highest-paying finance jobs in South Africa. These figures have been gathered from various sources and are updated as of January 2026.

1. Investment Banker

• Job Role:  Investment bankers work in banks or financial institutions and help their clients raise capital. They also help complete mergers and acquisitions and raise IPO for start-ups. 
• Average Salary:  R446,000
• Industries: 
  • Banks 
  • Financial institutions

 2. Financial Manager

• Job Role: A financial manager creates annual reports, navigates financial instability, and advises senior management on long-term financial goals.
• Average Salary: R1,218,046
• Industries: 
  • Banking
  • Non-profits
  • Manufacturing
  • Consumer goods

3. Chartered Accountant (CA)

• Job Role: A CA is a financial expert who helps businesses and individuals manage their tax, accounting, and tax filing requirements. In South Africa, CAs can also serve as managing directors and CEOs of companies.
• Average Salary: R574,193
• Industries:
  • Mining
  • Accounting 
  • Manufacturing

4. Actuary

• Job Role: Actuaries use analytical skills and statistical data to estimate the financial risk and likelihood of success for key business decisions. They also help project the cost of disasters and design insurance policies and solutions to minimise risk.
• Average Salary:  R697,785
• Industries: 
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Finance
  • Insurance 

5. Risk Manager

• Job Role: Risk managers advise organisations and governments on identifying potential risks. They study possible risks concerning safety, profitability, and security. They also help develop processes and procedures to minimise risk and protect the firm. A risk manager’s role is one of the highest-paying jobs in banking and finance.
• Average Salary: R611,684
• Industries: 
  • Banking
  • Healthcare
  • Technology
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Public sector

6. Corporate Treasurer

• Job Role: A corporate treasurer manages company finances and is responsible for designing financial strategy, managing risk, maintaining financial relationships, and managing projects. They also plan investment activities and lead financial management.
• Average Salary: R2,304,671]
• Industries: 
  • Banks 
  • Financial institutions
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Non-profit
  • Retail

7. Financial Analyst

• Job Role: Financial analysts study financial data to help determine risks and investment opportunities. They help identify trends based on past data and mitigate risk. They also help guide companies on stock and bond issues to raise capital. A financial analyst is one of the highest-paying corporate jobs in finance. 
• Average Salary: R684,748
• Industries: 
  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Hedge funds
  • Pension funds
  • Government

8. Portfolio Manager

• Job Role: A portfolio manager helps build and manage profitable investments for their clients, corporations or wealthy individuals. They manage risk and design portfolios to maximise investment profits. 
• Average Salary: R980,523
• Industries: 
  • Financial Services

9. Tax Manager

• Job Role: Tax managers help individuals and companies file taxes and provide consultation on tax-related matters. They also advise on new taxing procedures and ensure compliance with tax filings.
• Average Salary: R928,566 
• Industries: 
  • Consulting
  • Financial Services

10. Private Equity Associate

• Job Role: Private equity associates are responsible for finding new investment opportunities that are not publicly traded. They buy stakes in private companies and help them raise funding to become profitable. They can also invest in public companies, aiming to de-list them from the stock exchange. 
• Average Salary: R1,032,762
• Industries: 
  • Banking
  • Private Equity firms

Read more on Finance & Investment: A Leading Specialisation in BBA for SA Students here

What are the Skills and Qualifications Required for High-Paying Finance Jobs?

A strong aptitude for numbers can make finance a rewarding career path. However, securing a high-paying role in this field required more than just numerical aptitude. Finance professionals are expected to engage with clients, negotiate with external stakeholders, and contribute to strategic planning.

Alongside a strong educational background, individuals must develop technical skills. These skills help them work effectively with accounting software and tools such as Excel. Finance professionals must also demonstrate strong soft skills. These abilities support career growth and access to higher-paying roles within an organisation.

These are the top skills to have for a career in finance:

• Analytical: This helps finance professionals examine large amounts of quantitative and qualitative data and understand patterns. It also helps them analyse the situation and critically devise accurate solutions.
• Financial reporting and modelling: Individuals need a strong understanding of finance to interpret annual reports and financial data. This knowledge also helps them predict trends and risks. It enables them to create models and strategise how to minimise financial risk to the company.
• Communication: Individuals need strong communication skills to break down complex financial terms into easy-to-understand concepts and solutions.
• Negotiation: Careers like finance associate and investment banking involve negotiating with external parties to strike a profitable deal. It also comes in handy when convincing clients to take certain financial steps to reduce risk.
• Leadership: It is easy for clients to follow the decisions of strong leaders because they project confidence. 

Read more on Top Career Opportunities With A Bachelor Of Commerce Honours In Finance here

Finance Qualifications in South Africa

Pursuing high-paying finance roles in South Africa requires the right academic and professional qualifications. A clear and structured education pathway improves employability and supports long-term growth.

Aspiring finance professionals often begin with an undergraduate degree and then pursue postgraduate degrees or professional certifications. Regenesys Education offers programmes designed to build strong foundations in finance, economics, and business management.

Some Regenesys programmes that prepare graduates for finance roles include:

Read more on Salaries for Finance Jobs in South Africa: Explore the Top Industries to Work In here

Explore Our Other Programmes

Conclusion

Finance remains one of the most stable and well-paid career fields in South Africa, offering opportunities across industries. Finance professionals play a central role in business sustainability, growth, and decision-making. Salaries in the field are influenced by education, experience, industry, and location.

For individuals willing to invest in the right qualifications, finance offers long-term progression and job security. With a structured education pathway and relevant industry exposure, graduates are well-positioned to access some of the highest-paying finance jobs in South Africa.

Visit the Regenesys Education website to explore our accredited programmes that can lead to well-paying finance careers. Admissions for 2026 are still open!

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