The first article in this series discusses aspects of the history of accounting firm mergers and acquisitions. The evolution of firm ownership continues to advance with Private Equity (PE) active in the acquisition of accounting businesses. What lessons can be gained from the Consolidators? PARTNER DISCONNECT I have interviewed several partners who sold their accountancy…
DetailsArtificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other emerging technologies are transforming the way businesses operate and as these tools reshape industries, the role of chartered accountants (CAs) continues to evolve. Key questions are: what exactly is a CA’s role in a digital business ecosystem, and how are tomorrow’s CAs being equipped with the digital fluency and…
DetailsArtificial intelligence is changing accounting faster than universities can update their curricula. That was the starting point for of the SAICA and UCT Accounting Education Symposium, where presenters dug into what AI means for future accountants, how students are already using it, and why AI-enabled grading brings both efficiency and new complexity. AI AND ACCOUNTING…
DetailsDisciplined, well-designed businesses are increasingly driving sustainable social impact. Instead of relying on donations or short-term grants, B2B social enterprises sell services to organisations and institutions. We asked Zanele Maduna CA(SA) to explain why. An estimated 10 million social enterprises operate globally. Those built on B2B models align closely with corporate ESG priorities while delivering…
DetailsThe accountancy profession is at an educational inflection point. The profession has always evolved in response to economic, regulatory, and technological change. Today, however, the pace and nature of that change are fundamentally different. Artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely automating tasks; it is reshaping how knowledge is created, accessed, and applied. For the chartered…
DetailsConfession time: AI helped draft this piece. Shocking? It shouldn’t be. We don’t send handwritten notes with balance sheets to prove our arithmetic. We don’t scatter typos in drafts to prove we didn’t use spell check. So why treat AI like a guilty secret? I’m old enough to remember the calculator debate at school. ‘You…
DetailsASA Dec-Jan 2026 Issue Editorial One thing about 2025? It reminded us that progress is rarely linear. We faced storms that demanded grit, empathy, and unity. It was a year of complexity and unexpected turns, challenges that tested not only our plans but our sense of certainty. Yet, through every obstacle, one truth remained: the…
DetailsFor over a decade, much has been said about Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), its implementation, and the so-called ‘red tape’ that supposedly chokes innovation in South Africa’s economy. While there is truth in the idea that regulatory burdens can be heavy, particularly for businesses navigating the government procurement space, the reality is far more nuanced…
DetailsWith the recent launch of King V, public sector leaders in South Africa have been presented with a rare opportunity to reimagine governance not as a compliance exercise but as a moral and strategic imperative. King V is more than a revision of its predecessor − it is rather a bold new narrative for ethical…
DetailsHow universities are rethinking curriculum design, assessment and graduate capabilities to match the realities of an AI-enabled workplace. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are transforming accounting skills and assessments, as well as the way universities prepare future professionals. This calls for new approaches to teaching, learning and student support in an AI-enabled environment. The 2025…
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