Auditors will be augmented with technology towards becoming Augmented Auditors 4.0 (Audit 4.0) if the profession wants to remain relevant. As a profession, auditors currently find themselves somewhere between Audit 2.0 and Audit 3.0, with many still relying on outdated tools in a modern business environment. Given the volume of transactions which businesses process daily,…
As the accounting profession in South Africa evolves, the sector is welcoming new talent into its ranks. SAICA’s numerous training programmes are evidence that the industry is churning out fresher, younger minds as it continues to grow. But with so many opportunities to work in the lucrative private sector, why would a young professional choose…
Training offices play a critical role in developing future SAICA members and associates. For a long time, the emphasis of the training programme has been on providing an opportunity for trainees to practise and demonstrate technical competence while developing as professionals. The amended training programme competencies in 2016 started to place more emphasis on professional…
Ethical decision-making rooted in the fundamental principles, supported by the decision-making framework known as the conceptual framework, and informed by efforts to address the five sources of bias produces a better result, insulates the decision-maker from questionable conduct, and is superior to an ‘I know best’ approach. There is a school of thought commonly held…
People who changed the profession Whether they were driving transformation or working to instil a culture of ethics, the pioneers who shaped the accounting profession in South Africa have one thing in common: their passion for the industry spurred them to do all they could to ensure it is world class. Every industry has its…
As a result of COVID-19, education has changed dramatically in a short period of time. Many contact university programmes have had to adapt their teaching and learning pedagogies to online, technology-driven delivery methods. Daylan Staude, senior lecturer and taxation subject head in the Department of Accounting at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), has embraced…
Every type of inequality is magnified and exposed through COVID-19, which makes this Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) even more relevant and urgent right now. Its socio-economic impact on the poorest and most vulnerable of our society is expected to last for years beyond the pandemic and requires a specific and intentional focus by leaders across…
An accountant’s character is their product, and once an accountant’s integrity is in doubt, the product loses its value. We generally assume that a person can be good at their job without also being a good human being. We can easily imagine an exceptional golfer, or mathematician, or chef, who isn’t at the same time…
Trainees have identified a limited focus on ethics guidance and mentoring, as well as a lack of ethical leadership and training, particularly in the smaller and medium-sized audit firms. The accounting profession in South Africa is receiving a lot of negative attention due to the unethical conduct of a handful of its members. This has…
Never give up on the dream of becoming a CA(SA) Becoming a CA(SA) was a childhood dream of mine. In high school, my favourite subjects were maths and accounting. One could say I was always comfortable with numbers. The decision to study for a degree was an easy one, and my accounting teacher always motivated…