The public sector plays a vital role in the development of the economy and is one of SAICA’s key focus areas. SAICA therefore has national and regional public sector committees in place to support the achievement of its strategic objectives on member value and relevance and reputation in the public sector
Why the committees?
The committees have the following objectives:
- To influence and assist stakeholders with, and advise on, critical issues relating to the setting, development and implementation of standards, guidance and practices in the following areas relating to the public sector:
- Legislation
- Accounting standards
- Public finance management, including internal control and risk management systems
- Sound corporate governance in the public sector, including ethical conduct, oversight bodies, audit committees
- Internal and external auditing, and
- Predetermined objectives for reporting and auditing
- To provide support and guidance to the members and associates in the public sector
- To influence, promote and contribute to the inclusion of the public sector in the curriculum in the institutions of higher education
- To prepare and submit on behalf of SAICA members and associates, on a timely basis, meaningful, valuable and technically correct comments on standards, legislation, guidance and practices or on any other discussion documents prepared by stakeholders that have an impact in the public sector and consider the views of members and associates
- To contribute thought leadership and advocacy material within the public sector through articles and media releases, among other means
- To encourage, through the appropriate committees of SAICA, members and associates to pursue careers in the public sector
Committee composition
SAICA has established four public sector committees (PSCs): the National Public Sector Committee (NPSC), Eastern Region Public Sector Committee (ERPSC), Northern Region Public Sector Committee (NRPSC) and Southern Region Public Sector Committee (SRPSC). The Central Region Public Sector Committee (CRPSC) is in the process of being formed.
The PSCs meet three times a year and comprise members and associates from national and provincial departments, national and provincial public entities, local government (municipalities and municipal entities), auditing/accounting/consulting firms, academia (universities and colleges), and Parliament, provincial legislatures and those members and associates in the financial administration of other public sector institutions such as public schools, higher education institutions, etc.
Committee activities
Committees develop work plans to guide their work programmes over their three-year terms. This is based on what the committee members identify as issues within the public sector with a specific focus on regional issues in addition to national issues. The current committee-developed work plans include initiatives themed around whistleblowing, ethical behaviour and support to members and associates, the professionalisation of the public sector, improvement in audit outcomes, and the adoption of accrual accounting by departments.
Members of the committees
The following members and associates were appointed to the committees through a stringent recruitment process:
- NPSC − Siyamdumisa Vilakazi (chairperson), Suren Maharaj (deputy chairperson), Sipho Mzobe, Mariska McKenzie, Ismail Abdoola and Mohammed Naeem Moola. The chairpersons of the regional public sector committees also form part of the NPSC.
- ERPSC − Amanda Zuma (chairperson), Thabile Madlala (deputy chairperson), Ebrahim Noor Mohammed, Sakhile Ngwenya, Siphumelele Dlungwane, Wayne Evans, Zamanguni Gcabashe, Professor Mogie Subban and Vishal Ramdas.
- NRPSC − Lufuno Mudau (chairperson), Annalien Carstens (deputy chairperson), Chumani Ngele, Mariette Venter, Ngoetjana Salome, Nyawa Dikwayo, Sidney Mongala, Sikhuthaze Mbeki and Waseem Carrim.
- SRPSC − Mava Shude (chairperson), Sandiso Gcwabe (deputy chairperson), Aneesa Moosa-Camroodien, Enayat Hamza, Melissa Hempel, Shelly Herbert, Zakariya Hoosain, Adila Aboo and Shaffida Andrews.
SAICA conveys its appreciation to all members and associates who have expressed an interest to be part of the committees.
Author
Odwa Benxa CA(SA) Project Director: Public Sector at SAICA