Dr Christa Viljoen

Christa Viljoen is a lecturer in Finance and Financial Planning at the UniSA Business School. She completed her PhD at UniSA at the end of 2024. Her PhD thesis focused on the financial planning of older Australian women, with specific reference to living and housing arrangements, including homeowners, retirement village residents, and renters.  Her research interests are focused on Finance, housing, and women.  

Her background in lecturing Finance and Accounting, and involvement in higher education, spans over more than 15 years, working in both  Australia and South Africa. Christa completed her Senior Fellowship with Advance HE in 2022. This certification is awarded in recognition of attainment against the Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support.She also completed her Professional Certificate in University Teaching in 2025. 

Christa holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Accounting. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and member of CAANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand). She also completed a Diploma in Financial Planning and is an academic affiliate member of the FAAA (Financial Advice Association Australia). 

Christa started her professional career working in London for two years in the field of finance and accounting.  She started her lecturing career at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa as a lecturer in Finance. Christa has been involved with UniSA since February 2016 in various capacities, including that of lecturer, tutor, HDR student, and workshop facilitator.

Christa has co-authored several papers with researchers from across Australia, South Africa, and Ireland.  

In 2023 she was part of the PhD Thinkers Program, have been a previous recipient of the Vice Chancellor and President Scholarship.  In 2025 she was awarded the Graham Arnold prize at UniSA. 

She is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers.

She is a member of the ATN HDR Advisory Committee in 2025 and is also a committee member of WEN (Women in Economics).

CAANZ 

Senior Fellow, Advance HE

Academic Affiliate, Financial Advice Association Australia

ATN HDR Advisory Committee

Committee Member, WEN

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy University of South Australia

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Accounting) University of Natal

• Bachelor of Commerce The University of the Orange Free State

• Certificate of Membership South African Institute of Chartered Accountants