SAICA October 2023

PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT TO EMPOWER EXCELLENCE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. designations. For more information, visit www.saica.org.za Choose SAICA designations, your first choice for reputable accounting and finance

the public sector, contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all.

Leveraging their professional expertise, SAICA members and associates have the power to make a significant difference in the essential tools to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and performance. competence. Our designations are built on an unwavering ethical foundation, equipping our members and associates with finance and business professionals offering three designations: CA(SA), AGA(SA), and AT(SA) from entry to strategic level of are skilled to bring about a positive difference within the public sector. SAICA is one of the leading global institutes for At SAICA, our mission is to cultivate a more efficient public sector by developing highly competent professionals who Public services have a profound impact on the lives of millions of people, empowering societies and building the economy.

The public sector plays a crucial role as a service provider, shaping the future for generations to come.

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) is a committed partner in making a positive difference in the public sector.

The public sector plays a crucial role as a service provider, shaping the future for generations to come.

Public services have a profound impact on the lives of millions of people, empowering societies and building the economy.

At SAICA, our mission is to cultivate a more efficient public sector by developing highly competent professionals who are skilled to bring about a positive difference within the public sector. SAICA is one of the leading global institutes for finance and business professionals offering three designations: CA(SA), AGA(SA), and AT(SA) from entry to strategic level of competence. Our designations are built on an unwavering ethical foundation, equipping our members and associates with the essential tools to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and performance.

Leveraging their professional expertise, SAICA members and associates have the power to make a significant difference in the sector,Institute contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future all.

The public South African of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) is the leading accountancy body for in South

Africa and one of the prominent institutes globally.

PUBLIC SECTOR. TO EMPOWER EXCELLENCE IN THE PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT SAICA is at the forefront of developing, influencing and leading thefor highest standards of ethics, education Choose SAICA designations, your first choice reputable accounting and finance and professional excellence in the delivery of quality accountancy skills.

This is achieved by safeguarding designations. For more information, visit www.saica.org.za the professional standards of the designations on offer; advancing and maintaining the relevance of the profession; and by regulating the members’ and associates’ professional conduct against the SAICA Code.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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Making a difference SAICA is a committed partner in making a positive difference in local government

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he South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and its members are #DifferenceMakers, contributing to the economic and social development of South Africa through our work in local government. SAICA is committed to making a positive difference in the public sector through a focus on professionalisation, strategic municipal finance management, and supporting transparency, accountability, governance and service delivery.

PROFESSIONALISING PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT Poor public finance management has been highlighted as a significant risk threatening the prosperity of South Africa. With challenges that include inadequate skills, high vacancy levels, staff turnover, poor leadership and a lack of suitable skills development, the public sector continues to struggle to create sustainable value for citizens.

SAICA, South Africa’s pre-eminent accountancy body, is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading accounting institutes. The institute provides a wide range of support services to more than 57 000 members and associates who are chartered accountants (CAs(SA)), as well as associate general accountants (AGAs(SA)) and accounting technicians (ATs(SA)), committed to making a difference in the various industries they serve. Many of SAICA’s members and associates provide much-needed support and capacity in the country’s local government sector, working in the public interest and supporting financial management, reporting, transparency, accountability, governance, and the delivery of services.

UNDERSTANDING SAICA’S PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS SAICA qualifications allow professionals exposure and proficiency to various environments, contexts, and laws, such as the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), and many private, public and local government sector reporting frameworks. These homegrown qualifications strike the right balance of local relevance, globally renowned standards, and best practices, which makes our professionals sought-after. The robust qualification process develops competence that enables professionals to be flexible and agile, which is why our professionals can adjust to different environments, deliver sustainable value and make a difference.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Members of the panel following discussions on “the role of the accountancy profession in professionalising the public sector” at the recently held SAICA Public Sector Summit. From left: Khaya Sithole (moderator of the summit), Prof Somadoda Fikeni (chairperson of the Public Service Commission), Dr Emmanuel Ngcobo (president elect of CIGFARO), Natashia Soopal (SAICA executive: Ethics Standards and Public Sector), Jan van Schalkwyk (Executive in the office of the Auditor General), and Darren Issacs (founder and chief executive officer at Makosi).

The chartered accountancy profession strives to make a meaningful contribution to society by serving and protecting the public interest.

CAs(SA) are responsible leaders who behave ethically and create sustainable value for a wide range of stakeholders within organisations such as municipalities and municipal entities. They prepare meaningful financial and nonfinancial information that has integrity, is relevant and accurate to stakeholders, and interpret, analyse and evaluate such information for impactful decision-making.

Given the challenges faced by the public sector, chartered accounting skills can go a long way in supporting accountability and rebuilding public trust in government.

The education and training of AGAs(SA) produces well-rounded accountants with a highly proficient technical background. An AGA(SA) at the entry point into the profession possesses the relevant skill set to balance operational implementation and strategic contribution within the relevant division. Their all-round ability to drive accountancy and financial excellence in

THROUGH ITS VARIOUS DIVISIONS, SAICA PROVIDES SUPPORT, TRAINING, ADVOCACY AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP TO ITS MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT STAKEHOLDERS

organisations enables them to deliver on key strategic objectives from policies and annual plans while ensuring operational efficiency and quality. The AGA(SA) holder is well suited to contribute to the professionalisation of the public sector, particularly as it relates to finance and accountancy roles.

The Local Government and Public Sector Accounting Technician qualifications were developed in collaboration with the Local Government SETA, municipalities and National Treasury. Extensive consultations with leadership teams within government and alignment with the National Treasury Technical Competency Dictionary ensured fit-for-purpose qualifications.

There are three different accounting technician qualification routes: • Accounting Technician: mainstream accounting technician qualifications pitched at levels 3, 4 and 5 (entry to mid-level) on the National Qualifications Framework.

• Local Government Accounting Technician: accounting technician qualifications designed for municipalities and municipal agencies pitched at levels 3, 4 and 5 (entry to mid-level) on the National Qualifications Framework • Public Sector Accounting Technician: accounting technician qualifications designed for national and provincial departments, pitched at levels 3, 4 and 5 (entry to mid-level) on the National Qualifications Framework.

SAICA ADVERTORIAL

performance reporting, relational acumen, and other nuances in the sector.

Local government is also able to source the expertise of professionals trained by other public sector organisations, the Auditor-General of South Africa and the private sector. There remains a lot of work to be done to make the local government environment conducive for professionals and for the sector to become an employer of choice. SAICA calls on all stakeholders to continue working towards achieving this objective.

SAICA celebrates and continues to showcase the work of members and other professionals committed to making a difference in local government, often under challenging circumstances.

These professionals use their skills and knowledge to support the sustainability of local government finances and positively impact the delivery of services.

THE INAUGURAL SAICA PUBLIC SECTOR SUMMIT

SAICA Public Sector team (from left to right): Odwa Benxa (project director: Public Sector), Natashia Soopal (SAICA executive: Ethics Standards and Public Sector) and Msizi Gwala (project director: Public Sector)

Images: Supplied

ACHIEVING PROFESSIONALISATION AT SOUTH AFRICAN MUNICIPALITIES Ethical conduct is at the core of the accountancy profession, a much-needed attribute in the local government sector. SAICA safeguards the professional standards of the designations by regulating members’ professional conduct against the internationally aligned SAICA Code of Conduct. Members of SAICA act in the public interest and are required to adhere to internationally recognised professional and ethical standards.

Under the leadership of a highly qualified finance leader, such as an experienced chartered accountant, and with the support of skilled finance professionals, local government finance divisions could be professionalised, stabilised and capacitated, and strategically support the sustainable delivery of services to communities.

South African local government can achieve professionalisation by increasing the number and capacity of skilled finance staff with appropriate training, such as the three-year SAICAaccredited training programme, and recognised accountancy qualifications. Public finance staff members should be subject to regulation by a professional accountancy body such as SAICA. Municipalities should work to create an environment that enables finance professionals to thrive, consider their learning and development, career mobility and pathways within the public sector and work towards attracting the best available finance talent by becoming an employer of choice.

The chartered accountancy profession strives to make a meaningful contribution to society by serving and protecting the public interest.

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THAT BENEFITS SOUTH AFRICA As a committed partner in making a difference in the public sector, SAICA recognises the important role that local government needs to play for the prosperity of communities, society, and the economy.

Through its various divisions, SAICA provides support, training, advocacy and thought leadership to its members and government stakeholders, working towards an effective, sustainable and professionalised sector. Professionals in the sector work under challenging circumstances to deliver value and financial stability. SAICA is committed to partnering with stakeholders and government to transform the local government environment to one that is conducive and delivers sustainably.

As part of SAICA’s longstanding partnership with the public sector, there are several training offices (including municipalities), providing SAICA-accredited training and work experience, developing competence for aspiring CAs(SA) in the public sector context and unique exposure to areas, such as purpose-driven national service, compliance, service delivery orientation,

Held in August 2023 under the theme “Nurturing Change for a Better Society,” SAICA’s first-ever Public Sector Summit provided a platform for impassioned discussions, knowledge-sharing, and strategic collaborations aimed at fostering transformation within the public sector.

The summit represents SAICA’s commitment to its public interest mandate, ensuring that world-class accountancy professionals qualifying through SAICA’s rigorous and trusted processes are available to serve local government and the South African public sector as a whole and contribute to the prosperity of our country. Some of the key messages the profession is taking from the summit include increasing focus on implementation in the sector (not only legislation and policy), more support for the sector and less reflection on the negative, the importance of a collaborative response among the broad stakeholders in the ecosystem, advocating for strategic reforms, and the need for the profession to also be held accountable where there are shortcomings.

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PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT TO EMPOWER EXCELLENCE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

The public sector plays a crucial role as a service provider, shaping the future for generations to come.

Public services have a profound impact on the lives of millions of people, empowering societies and building the economy.

At SAICA, our mission is to cultivate a more efficient public sector by developing highly competent professionals who are skilled to bring about a positive difference within the public sector. SAICA is one of the leading global institutes for finance and business professionals offering three designations: CA(SA), AGA(SA), and AT(SA) from entry to strategic level of competence. Our designations are built on an unwavering ethical foundation, equipping our members and associates with the essential tools to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and performance.

Leveraging their professional expertise, SAICA members and associates have the power to make a significant difference in the public sector, contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all.

Choose SAICA designations, your first choice for reputable accounting and finance designations. For more information, visit www.saica.org.za