VIEWPOINT: Risk and return

Most people try to live a risk-free life. You may view taking risks as reckless and irrational and to be avoided. But unfortunately, life is full of risk. Everything you do involves risk. There are dangers in every type of travel, eating, breathing, working, exercising, etc. Risk is an unavoidable part of your everyday life.…

SPECIAL FEATURE: First 100% electric car in South Africa

“The new Nissan LEAF represents one of the most significant events that Nissan South Africa has ever undertaken.” Retail sales have commenced in November via a dedicated Nissan LEAF dealer network covering Johannesburg and Pretoria. A charging infrastructure has been implemented at convenient locations to provide a new, environmentally sustainable way of travelling. Says Mike Whitfield, Nissan South Africa Managing…

INFLUENCE: Automation simplifies the last mile for integrated reporting

Producing an integrated report can be a tedious and stressful affair, but automated tools are becoming available. Most organisations have sophisticated intelligence and analytical tools in place for planning, budgeting, forecasting and consolidation, also known as the ‘first mile of reporting’. However, when compiling monthly and annual reports, all data is initially extracted from Excel…

ANALYSIS: Hedge Accounting: Is it feasible?

“Differing accounting recognition and measurement criteria, applied to various components of a hedge relationship, create volatility in financial reporting” Hedge accounting is becoming imperative for companies exposed to exchange rate volatility The recent volatility in the South African rand (ZAR) has seen many local corporates scrambling to control the impact of dwindling local currency value…

Accountants breed accountants

If each CA(SA) donated R500 per annum (fully tax deductible), SAICA could support 50% more bright young students At the inaugural North-West dinner for the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants in South Africa (ABASA), many accountants were left wondering as to how one particular family could produce such provincial success in the accountancy…