SAIBA Limpopo updates accountants on legislation

POLOKWANE – The actual implications or process of implementing legislation is seldom fed through to businesses.

This message was delivered at the SAIBA Limpopo accountants forum last week at Bolovia Lodge which drew attendants from Polokwane, various parts of Limpopo and from nearby provinces.

Sally Hansen from S Hansen and Associates, Accountants and Tax Consultants in this city who was one of the delegates and a member of SAIBA, said the important thing was that all businesses operate in a highly regulated legislative environment, and the responsibility of compliance usually rested with the accountant or finance department of the business.

“It is my firm belief that businesses do not intentionally not comply with legislation, I think it is a matter of information and education. Legislation is made and seldom is the actual implications or process of implementing the legislation fed through to businesses.

“We aim to provide support and informative sessions with the SAIBA Limpopo accountants forums. SAIBA is open to all accountants and people in the financial sector of all businesses. Furthermore it has excellent relationships with other professional bodies”, stated Hansen.

The next SAIBA Limpopo accountants forum will be held in March next year where the 2016 National Budget will be presented. A SARS agent will also be on hand to give updates on the e-filing and easy filing system for employers.

Going forward, SAIBA plans to have two forums per year, covering legislative matters and updates which apply to all businesses.

Hansen said accountants in other provinces in South Africa also requested the SAIBA accountants forums. The next one will be held in Bloemfontein in September.

SAIBA Limpopo is affiliated with the Southern African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA), the controlling body for accounting and finance professionals.

Its members enjoy statutory recognition in more than 13 statutes and regulations. With more than 30 000 members and associates, it focuses on assisting members to identify opportunities for growth within a complex business and legal environment.

The four key ideas which describe SAIBA are:

• Affordable

• Attainable

• Accessible

• Open for business

SAIBA believes in an open access model to the accounting profession. This principle is reflected in its logo which contains four circles. The circles indicate SAIBA’s commitment to diversity, openness, being community driven, and being inclusive.

Its membership is open to all persons with an accounting and financial background and who are interested in self-improvement. Members are actively supported and encouraged to obtain a relevant SAIBA designation. More than 50% of the SAIBA voting members are black, Indian or coloured, making SAIBA the most organically transformed professional body in South Africa.

Awarding designations enable SAIBA to:

• Establish a strong accountancy profession which is an asset to the business community and to society.

• Ensure the competency and quality of SAIBA members.

• Enforce a code of conduct and adherence to international standards.

SAIBA is a self-regulatory organisation and members of SAIBA are recognised as accountants, accounting officers and independent reviewers.

SAIBA also offers a home for persons working in or with the accounting function. This includes financial controllers, financial accountants, financial managers and chief financial officers.

For more information visit www.saiba.org.za.