From audit files to national spotlight, Gizelle Venske represents a new generation of CAs(SA) who are expanding what professional success looks like , polished, purposeful and unapologetically multidimensional. When Gizelle Venske stepped into the national spotlight as a Top 5 finalist in Miss South Africa, she introduced herself first as a chartered accountant. “I was…
When confidence meets opportunity, magic happens. Razaan Bester is proof of this – and she’s determined to make sure other women are ready to take advantage when the right doors open. SOME KIDS WONDER about their future careers. Not Razaan: from the time she was just 11 years old in Grade 6, she knew she…
Andrew Alt helps developers and finance professionals understand each other. He sees AI as powerful but with limitations, useful for structured tasks but no substitute for human judgement. His message to newly qualified CAs(SA) is to think broadly, question assumptions and understand how systems work. In a profession being reshaped by rapid technological change, adaptability…
ASA Feb 2026 cover Editorial A new year, a renewed mandate! There is something unmistakably energising about the first issue of the year. It carries momentum, expectation and possibility; a sense that we are not simply turning a page but stepping deliberately into what comes next. February’s edition ASA does exactly that, setting the tone…
The audit of listed entities carries heightened responsibilities. By their very nature, listed entities hold significant public interest, as investors, regulators and the broader market rely on the integrity of these entities’ financial statements. In this context, the role of the auditor extends beyond compliance; it serves as a cornerstone for maintaining market confidence and…
When constructing an investment portfolio, the savvy investor knows that shares are the single asset class that provides real returns over the long term. However, for those who are new to investing, shares can seem intimidating. Short-term market fluctuations (otherwise known as ‘market risk’) can cause them to be hesitant to take that first step.…
He’s only in the second year of his accounting studies, but Molemo Madileng already has two successful businesses to his name. And with big dreams driving him forward, it’s clear that Molemo is set to leave a big impact on the accounting profession. Molemo explains that his ambition is propelled by a single defining moment…
Relevance is the first of the alignment principles, as discussed with in a previous issue. The question could then be raised on whether alignment is not a becoming an increasing threat to the relevance of the SMEs Accounting Standard as a whole. Adopting a full alignment to IFRS Accounting Standards approach would mean the SMEs…
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…
Artificial 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…