South Africa is living through a quiet breakdown of its social contracts, and young people are carrying the heaviest cost. Promises about education, hard work, democracy and opportunity have collided with a stubborn reality of mass youth unemployment, deep inequality, and rising disillusionment. AT THE CENTRE OF THIS COLLISION sits a critical factor: failure, dysfunction,…
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.…
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…
For over a decade, much has been said about Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), its implementation, and the so-called ‘red tape’ that supposedly chokes innovation in South Africa’s economy. While there is truth in the idea that regulatory burdens can be heavy, particularly for businesses navigating the government procurement space, the reality is far more nuanced…
With the recent launch of King V, public sector leaders in South Africa have been presented with a rare opportunity to reimagine governance not as a compliance exercise but as a moral and strategic imperative. King V is more than a revision of its predecessor − it is rather a bold new narrative for ethical…
Section 110.1 A1 of the SAICA Code of Professional Conduct, read with subsection R113.2 Professional Competency and Due Care, requires a professional accountant to take reasonable steps to ensure that those working in a professional capacity under the professional accountant’s authority have received appropriate training and are properly supervised. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS…
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago recently remarked that the rand is ‘incredibly undervalued’ and that according to certain studies, it should be trading at around R7 to the US dollar. This article is a comprehensive economic critique of Governor Kganyago’s statement, balanced with South Africa’s recent wins. WHILE SARB GOVERNOR KGANYAGO’S R7-to-the-dollar statement…
We stand on the brink of a profound transformation in accounting and accounting professionals, not because of business failure, new regulation, or economic theory, but because of transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. These technologies will disrupt this noble profession, which has long been synonymous with stability, meticulousness, and adherence to…