Feature: Divestment from fossil fuels

The issue of decarbonisation is complex for a country like South Africa, which is an emerging market heavily dependent on coal and with large social risks such as poverty, unemployment and inequality. If no action on climate change is taken, it could simply amplify our social risks. Therefore, universities and foundations must consider both environmental…

Focus: Sustainability reporting in the public sector

This article explores the intersection between corporate sustainability reporting developments and public sector reporting in South Africa Since the establishment of the Task-force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2015, the announcement of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in 2021 at COP 26 and its subsequent establishment, and the introduction of new regulations in…

Focus: A pathway to accrual accounting for national and provincial departments

Sandiso Gcwabe CA(SA), CFO of the Western Cape Liquor Authority and Deputy Chairperson of the SAICA Southern Region Public Sector Committee, calls for a National Implementation Strategy and Plan for the adoption of accrual accounting for national and provincial departments by 1 April 2026 The continued use of the current Modified Cash Standard (MCS) for…

Focus: Funding of South African public schools explained

Since 1994, the government’s efforts to redress historical imbalances and achieve equity were fundamental policy mechanisms to restructure South African education Equity reforms in post-apartheid South Africa were intended to equalise funding among provinces, schools and socio-economic groups. This was undertaken through national policies that would direct state funding to public schools. The most significant…

Focus: Public sector – The impact of 4IR on accounting and finance in the public sector

Doing the 4IR perspectives for accountants’ course as a trainee in the public sector made me wonder how the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) could affect my organisation as a chapter 13 institution which is responsible for managing the public finances of the country. This article is a synopsis of thoughts and observations from our experiences…

Focus: Public sector – Forgery risk high during COVID-19 lockdown period

As the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic saw various small to large entities crumble, it was an opportunity for fraudsters to flourish too. Assurance providers throughout the value chain of the integrated assurance should therefore ensure vigilance in managing the risks associated with fraud during a remote-working period The lockdown meant that most people, including…

Focus: Public sector – Why does accounting in the public sector matter?

Most often people think of accounting as being synonymous with rands and cents, profit or loss, equity, and investor returns. In the private sector, that is certainly the case as the accounting and reporting in the financial statements allows investors to decide which entity they want to invest in and what returns they should expect.…