Mariam Cassim CA(SA)
Turning hidden gems into gigantic profits
Mariam Cassim says her day starts ‘in much the same way as any other typical mom’ – a surprisingly down-to-earth revelation from a woman who transformed Vodacom Financial Services from a loss-making company of R88 million to a profit-making business of R1 billion within three years. But realising an opportunity takes both grit and guts – and Mariam Cassim, Chief Officer: Vodacom Financial Services, has both
Leading in unprecedented times It’s official – we live in uncertain and unpredictable times. Countries in lockdown, financial markets in turmoil − this isn’t the way 2020 was supposed to pan out. As humans, we want to be in control of our environment – we enjoy the safety that comes from having continuity between the…
On 14 February SAICA announced that 2 024 of the 3 560 candidates who wrote the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) evaluation in November 2019 successfully met the assessment’s requirements and who have therefore achieved the standard of excellence that makes them relevant for the market. ‘SAICA would like to congratulate the cohort of 2019…
The nature of the COVID-2019 pandemic reaches into every sphere of society – political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal – necessitating careful consideration of the long-term consequences of our decisions in response to the pandemic and requiring alternative futures to be considered. The purpose of this article is to describe four possible alternative futures…
The COVID-19 lockdown currently in place will have an impact on tax-related matters. This includes contact with SARS, returns and payments due to SARS, as well as disputes. It also has an impact on employers and their employees. While a lot of information was available at the time of writing of this article, it is…
Your age on the day when you can first write the qualification CA(SA) behind your name is of less importance than your reasons for becoming a chartered accountant. Journeys differ considerably. The drive and enthusiasm of people at both ends of the spectrum – people who qualify at a very young age and those who…
To all the entrepreneurs out there Mpho Sedibe says: ‘It’s 100% OK to fall – never compromise or lose your integrity in the fall or in the getting up. Get up, dust yourself off, reflect, adapt, and get back in the ring!’ Whether it’s a manicure, massage, facial or your mane needing some style (ethnic…
Can year-end audits be postponed till the end of the isolation period, or is it mandatory that they continue even during the quarantine? In answering this question, it is first important to understand the relevant reporting requirements. In terms of section 30 of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008 (the Companies Act), a company must prepare annual…
COVID-19: Measures to mitigate economic impact In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the President, on Monday 23 March, announced significant and far-reaching measures aimed not only at slowing the spread of the virus, but also at mitigating its effects. In this regard, it has become clear that the pandemic will have an adverse effect…
Risk, Resilience and COVID-19 Opinion by Vanessa Thurlwell of Mondial Risk and Business Consultants and Craig Kent, Head of Risk Management at Aon South Africa. South Africa made it to 5 March 2020 before our first official confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced by Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize. The case load is now rapidly increasing…
Company taxation in the time of COVID-19 lockdown Jared Waters a Principal at Bravura Structured Solutions, highlights the potential complexities that could arise for Corporate South Africa amidst the country’s COVID-19 lockdown period. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced South Africa’s nationwide lockdown for a period of 21 days in an effort to slow down the spread…
Covid-19: Financial and Business Lessons The year 2020 was earmarked to be the ’20-plenty’ year. A year filled with great expectations, abundance, growth, achievement and joy. The outbreak of covid-19 brought those expectations to a sudden halt. It almost feels unreal that a virus can have this significant impact on the entire world. The world…
Johannesburg, Monday 2 March 2020 – It takes over R150 000 to fund a BCom CA-Stream student’s varsity dreams every year. Thanks to the generous donations of funders and partners, SAICA’s Thuthuka Bursary is able to help BCom Accounting students from disadvantaged backgrounds attend university with the goal of helping them achieve their dreams of becoming…
SAICA congratulates successful January ITC candidates Johannesburg, Friday, 27 March 2020: The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) would like to congratulate the 2 149 (of the 3 657) aspirant chartered accountants (CAs(SA)) who passed the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) in January 2020. Those candidates who were unsuccessful will have another opportunity later…
Listen to Mpho Mookapele as she takes us back home to where her love for school started.
The JSE ALSI recovered more quickly than the major US and UK indices during the last two crashes. The global economy was already on a fragile footing when a Black Swan appeared in January 2020 in the form of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The impact of the disease and the fallout from countermeasures has…
The Coronavirus is having a significant impact on the global economy as it increasingly disrupts production, supply chains and travel. With that in mind, organisations should consider any potential legal risks and how to protect themselves against them. In January, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that the outbreak of the coronavirus was a public…
Financial Consultant & CoachConsidering the current state of the economy and challenges in South Africa, more people turn to entrepreneurship. Some because they want to, others because they have to because of retrenchments, unemployment and financial strain. Entrepreneurship can provide a solution to many challenges though Ronel Jooste CA(SA)Director at FinanciallyFiTLifeand author, speaker and radio…
Wealth Advisorou’re never too old to be an entrepreneur. While being an entrepreneur potentially carries higher rewards, it also carries extreme risks. And can one afford to lose a lifetime of savings at such a late stage? Mike Lledo CA(SA)IndependentFinancial Services Consultant Amazon’s Jeff Bezos just sold 3% of his stock for $3,5 billion. He…
Social Enterprises AdvisorIs there a more opportune time than now to talk about entrepreneurship in South Africa? There are several opportunities related to global problems needing local solutions, for example as climate change, increased proliferation of technology, and new ways of working. Cracking these problems require creative problem-solving and thinking outside of the box. Priya…
Business Innovator and CatalystAdversity is one of the most powerful forces driving progression, innovation and entrepreneurship. Depending on your approach it’s either an insurmountable obstacle or a ramp for your successful trajectory. It will force you to choose to bring out the best or the worst in you. Paul Plummer CA(SA)Founding Member of Blackslope There…
Coaching Insights In A Time of Uncertainty: What to expect in a lockdown You are able to control that which you are aware of. In this video you will learn about the most common fears relating to a lockdown and how to mentally prepare for it.
Practical Tools to help your business get through the crisis: During this time of unprecedented uncertainty, we often fall into a state of fear, panic and despair. As leaders, it is crucial to lead from the front and bring a sense of peace and calmness to those who look to you for guidance. Below I’ve…
Risks emerging from Covid-19 Authored by: Gillian Le Cordeur, IRMSA CEO As we navigate our way through this crisis, that not only South Africa but the entire World is dealing with, The Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) Executive Committee has highlighted many risks and opportunities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is of…
Can year-end audits be postponed till the end of the isolation period, or is it mandatory that they continue even during the quarantine? In answering this question, it is first important to understand the relevant reporting requirements. In terms of section 30 of the Companies Act, 71 of 2008 (the Companies Act), a company must prepare annual…
