From Cashless to Digital: The COVID-19 Tipping Point

COVID-19 has been a catalyst for the global adoption of cashless payments, with the disruption expected to effect lasting changes in the way people spend. While consumers had already begun to embrace digital payment options prior to the pandemic, the health crisis has rapidly accelerated the adoption rate with more consumers seeking safer, contact-free payment…

Read more

COVID-19: Data and technology empowering business travellers

As South African corporates gradually return to the boardroom, road warriors are longing to take back to the skies and resume business negotiations, build relationships, and discuss new business opportunities. Although business travel is permitted in South Africa, the pandemic has kept everyone on their toes with regulations changing frequently. As consulting firm McKinsey put…

Read more

The Forward-Looking Accountant

Technology is taking over some routine tax and accounting tasks. This means accountants now need to make the move to trusted business advisors. William Reeb and Dominic Cingoranelli asked an important question in their book Becoming a trusted business advisor: how to add value, improve client loyalty, and increase profits, namely if accountants can name…

Read more

COVID-19’s impact on student learning

The arrival of the novel coronavirus has received much media attention coverage over businesses, vulnerable communities and the economy. This article highlights a few critical aspects of how COVID-19 has impacted CAs-in-training from the perspective of Wits School of Accountancy lecturers. COVID-19 first hit South Africa in March 2020. Wits took the decision to bring…

Read more

On strategy Shoprite’s strategy in the time of COVID-19

With a background in financial management and business valuations, I have always been intrigued by ‘strategy’, that thing that ultimately sets a company apart from the next and probably, together with strong leadership, the main driver behind sustained value creation. In a series of interviews, I will be exploring different business leaders’ (all chartered accountants)…

Read more

The future of work

As part of SAICA’s ‘Leadership in a Time of Crisis’ webinar series, Willem van der Post CA(SA), CEO of xTech.Capital, shared some thoughts on what the workplace of the future will look like, especially in a post-coronavirus world. The new normal. It’s all everyone’s talking about. But what exactly does it mean? I’m not a…

Read more

COVID-19: Future trends and their impact on the world

The trends shaping our world of tomorrow are changing rapidly with COVID-19. In this article, the multi-level perspective on societal change model will be used to explain various trends and their potential impact on the economy, politics, technology, society and resources. We are operating in a new, fast-evolving multipolar global landscape in which challenges are…

Read more

COVID-19 is likely to reshape the world – here’s how accountants can help

By Pieter Bensch, Executive Vice-President at Sage Africa & Middle East As an accountant, you have an invaluable role to play in helping your clients survive the COVID-19 outbreak and its economic effects. With the pandemic and the national lockdown battering nearly every company in South Africa, they need your counsel and practical advice more…

Read more

ITC and APC EXAM dates change due to Covid-19

We find ourselves in significantly challenging and difficult times: a constantly changing world which is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. With these uncertain circumstances we all need to rapidly adapt to change. Like many other organisations, SAICA finds itself in the position of having to make some very difficult decisions, particularly about the upcoming SAICA…

Read more

COVID-19 crisis – Audit offices responding in times of crisis

The outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic has demanded an extraordinary response by governments around the world. The fight against the biggest health threat of our time requires of every parliament, organisation, company and individual to respond quickly to this challenge. It cannot be business as usual. The same applies to national audit offices. Not…

Read more

Achieving mental wellbeing during Covid-19

Achieving mental wellbeing during Covid-19 As part of Saica’s Leadership in a time of crisis webinar series, clinical psychologist Navlika Ratangee spoke about how to achieve mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 crisis. You can still watch this webcast for free here. The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) understands that the outbreak of Covid-19…

Read more

COVID-19 crisis points to the need for robust succession plans

COVID-19 crisis points to the need for robust succession plans Institute of Directors in Southern Africa 28 April 2020   Scene of Public indoor with barrier tape .Closing building during coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic concept Although it’s recommended in King IV, succession planning is often neglected because it’s an uncomfortable subject. The COVID-19 crisis should act…

Read more

Will the COVID-19 crisis close the wage gap?

Will the COVID-19 crisis close the wage gap?  Internationally, there is a growing trend to reduce executive pay in response to the current COVID-19 crisis. South Africa is following the trend, with several private sector companies voluntarily announcing reductions and donations in executive pay, among them Woolworths, EOH, FirstRand, Vodacom and Sibanye. The South African…

Read more

Practical steps during and after the Covid-19 lockdown for business recovery (and growth)

Practical steps during and after the Covid-19 lockdown for business recovery (and growth) Right now, most owners of small and medium size (“SME”) businesses have been out of business for three weeks. Some have been able to continue paying their employees, their rent, their utility bills, their creditors – others have not. With another two…

Read more

New Series: Virtual leadership in a crisis – support for leaders by Talita Ferreira CA(SA)

Virtual leadership in a crisis – support for leaders Author: Talita Ferreira CA(SA) “Identify what you are feeling and where you are as a leader” As leaders, we are like a contagion. How we show up will impact our teams. #Leadingvirtually is no different. We might be #feelingpressure and dealing with the #crisisplanning one moment…

Read more

VIDEO Series: Coaching Insights In A Time of Uncertainty: What to expect in a lockdown

Coaching Insights In A Time of Uncertainty: What to expect in a lockdown You are able to control that which you are aware of. In this video you will learn about the most common fears relating to a lockdown and how to mentally prepare for it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fmi5SS_d4Y&feature=youtu.be More Videos by Dineshrie Pillay What to expect…

Read more

COVID-19 lockdown: What to do if you are a South African stranded abroad

COVID-19 lockdown: What to do if you are a South African stranded abroad Authored by: Lerato Mahupela, Immigration Specialist at Xpatweb Worldwide travel restrictions are accompanied by various national strategies aimed at limiting the movement of people to prevent transmission of COVID-19. One of the global strategies has been to shutdown major port of entries,…

Read more

Risks emerging from Covid-19

Risks emerging from Covid-19 Authored by: Gillian Le Cordeur, IRMSA CEO As we navigate our way through this crisis, that not only South Africa but the entire World is dealing with, The Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) Executive Committee has highlighted many risks and opportunities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is of…

Read more

COVID-19 Possible alternative futures for South Africa

The nature of the COVID-2019 pandemic reaches into every sphere of society – political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal – necessitating careful consideration of the long-term consequences of our decisions in response to the pandemic and requiring alternative futures to be considered. The purpose of this article is to describe four possible alternative futures…

Read more

Company taxation in the time of COVID-19 lockdown

Company taxation in the time of COVID-19 lockdown Jared Waters a Principal at Bravura Structured Solutions, highlights the potential complexities that could arise for Corporate South Africa amidst the country’s COVID-19 lockdown period.   President Cyril Ramaphosa announced South Africa’s nationwide lockdown for a period of 21 days in an effort to slow down the spread…

Read more

Covid-19 lockdown and tax and unemployment related matters

Covid-19 lockdown and tax and unemployment related matters Authors: Piet Nel and Juanita Steenekamp SAICA The Covid-19 lockdown currently in place will have an impact on tax related matters.  This includes contact with SARS, returns and payments due to SARS, as well as disputes.  It also has an impact on employers and their employees.  Whilst…

Read more

How the coronavirus has impacted 2020’s investment outlook

Fears around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has spilled into financial markets 9 March 2020: The coronavirus outbreak has rapidly approached global pandemic levels, and given the knock-on effects of the virus on economic growth, the fireworks in markets were inevitable. From sitting at record highs, global markets sold off aggressively during the last week of…

Read more