‘Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people’ – Dennis Prager Let’s define ethics Ethics are knowable, yet because ethical situations involve two or more entities and happen across time, there are many aspects to consider when…
What do students and campuses of the future need in an increasingly constrained and competitive environment? The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Social Mobility 2020 report placed South Africa 80th out of 82 countries for access, equity and quality of education. According to this report, it will take nine generations for a South African born…
If not properly planned and institutionalised, working from home presents a new work dynamics which may affect relations between employees and managers. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc, with many lives lost and economies destroyed, but it has also brought a new, modern work culture of working from home. Working from home used to be…
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech on 23 February signalled that government views small-business growth as one of the key drivers that will stimulate economic growth over the next few years. This was validated by National Treasury’s remarks about achieving this growth through the combined impact of reforms, support for small businesses and new infrastructure…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has advised that R47,3 billion was sitting in retirement funds as unclaimed benefits in 2021. The obvious question is: ‘Is the industry doing enough to get these paid’? I asked myself the same question just over a year ago and decided to take up the challenge. Here is what…
Employers and employees have begun to embrace more flexible hybrid working arrangements but may not be aware of the tax implications. It is important that anyone considering remote work be aware of this this aspect of the process. When the COVID-19 pandemic became part of our lives, it created an opportunity for employers and employees…
The need for entrepreneurs has never been more vital in South Africa. Overwhelmed by late payments and working capital shortages, businesses struggle to survive. Empowered by the latest digital tools, accounting firms have the power to help South African businesses thrive. THE SOUTH AFRICAN PARADOX Accountants know it better than anyone: sometimes, numbers don’t add…
In days gone by, accountants were traditionally associated as individuals wearing grey suits, brown or black shoes and would arrive at their offices or clients’ premises armed with their red and green pens, ready to tick away. The accountant would arrive ready to account for, and perhaps assure, the financial position and notably the cash.…
Mark Twain famously said, ‘It’s never wrong to do the right thing.’ Why, then, is it so common for leaders to act unethically? We live in a world where the news of corporate failures arising from unethical leadership is not a surprise, where bribing a traffic official when breaking a ‘minor’ traffic offence is justifiable,…
While South Africa’s current female population stands at 30 515 459 (50,5%),1 women constitute but a fraction of both the formal and informal business sectors. Who is to blame for this and why are women still not representing themselves where decisions are being made? Who is acting on their behalf? ‘We can ask all these…