ACCOUNTING and financial services are now within easy reach for local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). This comes after bookkeeping services were added to the list of support services offered by eThekwini Municipality’s SMME Helpdesk.  The Helpdesk is located at the Small Enterprise Development Agency SEDA Office Park in Warwick Junction, Durban Central.

According to the eThekwini Municipality, the recently introduced bookkeeping services aim to assist SMMEs to ensure compliance.

“Included in the services offered are the recording of financial transactions, recording of what the business spends and receives, recording of invoices and payments, and the writing of credit and debit journal entries to the appropriate account,” said the municipality.

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eThekwini Mayor councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said 10 graduates were trained through the Public Employment Programme to offer this service.

“We wanted to provide this service as most SMMEs are non-compliant. Compliance is critical to an SMME’s growth and sustainability.”

Mayor Kaunda said the SMME Helpdesk was launched in 2021 under the Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit with a core function of providing and accelerating adequate support to local businesses. This is vital as SMMEs are instrumental in growing the economy and creating jobs.

“The SMME Helpdesk, which, among many other key functions, accelerates payments of businesses. It is doing very well and is fulfilling its mandate as approximately 2 000 invoices have been resolved since its inception. This totals to around R4.5m paid to SMMEs within the stipulated time,” added Mayor Kaunda.

He concluded: “As the eThekwini Municipality, we will continue to support the growth and sustainability of SMMEs.”

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To access the bookkeeping services, book an appointment by calling 031 322 9971 or emailing Accountspay.Statement@durban.gov.za.

Alternatively, you can visit the SMME Helpdesk at the SEDA Office Park, 127 Johannes Nkosi Street. The Helpdesk operates five days a week, from Monday to Friday during normal working hours.

The bookkeeping service is also available at the municipality’s Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit’s Upper North Regional Office located at 151 Wick Street in Verulam.

The Municipality’s short-term goal is to roll out the service at all Business Support regional offices to ensure services are brought closer to the business community.

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