Most professionals are good at spotting risk but that is only the beginning. Writing it down does not fix the problem and it does not protect the business. The real value comes from deciding what to do next and actually doing it. Whether you avoid it, reduce it, share it or accept it, the key is to make a clear choice and take action. Risk only becomes managed when something in the real world changes.

A R2.3 billion audit finding. The supplier was good. The work got done. The price was fair. None of that helped. In the public sector, a finding is rarely about the quality of the work. It is about the process, the budget, and the outcome — and if you cannot tell the difference between irregular, unauthorised, and fruitless and wasteful expenditure, you are already at risk.

R120 billion in irregular expenditure isn’t just a number, it’s a warning. Behind every “just process it” instruction is a finance professional forced to choose between compliance and career risk. The PFMA is clear: accountability doesn’t move up the chain with verbal approvals, it stays with you. In a system where consequences are inconsistent, your judgment becomes the last line of defence between governance and failure.

Fuel price increases are placing real pressure on South African businesses, affecting costs, pricing, and cash flow. Many clients do not yet understand how much this will reduce their profits. This creates a clear opportunity for CBAP’s to step in, guide clients through updated budgets, costing, and pricing decisions, and offer structured advisory services that add value and can be charged for.

A business can show good profit and still not have enough cash to pay its bills. Profit shows what the business has earned on paper, but cash shows what is actually in the bank. Money from sales may only come in later, while expenses must be paid now. If the business does not keep track of this timing, pressure builds quickly and it can run into trouble even if it looks successful.

B-BBEE is more than a compliance scorecard, it is a tool to address the deep economic inequalities that still exist in South Africa. For accountants, this means going beyond ticking boxes and ensuring that ownership, procurement, and development decisions lead to real economic participation. While the debate on its relevance continues, the issue is not whether B-BBEE should exist, but whether it is implemented effectively. Done properly, it can drive business growth, job creation, and inclusion; done poorly, it becomes a hollow exercise. Accountants therefore play a critical role in turning policy into meaningful impact.

Creative professionals are not struggling because they lack talent or opportunities, they are struggling because the business behind their work is weak. Many are fully booked and constantly producing, yet their income remains unstable and their profits low. The real issue lies in poor pricing, unclear agreements, and taking on the wrong clients. Until these areas are fixed, more work will not solve the problem, it will only make it worse.

Most accountants produce perfect financial statements, but perfect statements do not keep businesses alive. They show what happened after decisions were made, not why those decisions were taken or whether the business can survive the pressure it is under. Understanding your client’s business is what turns compliance into real value, because you are no longer just reporting numbers, you are guiding people who are trying to keep a business running.

Most businesses do not fail because they are unprofitable. They fail because cash runs out. Profit may look good on paper, but cash is what keeps the lights on and salaries paid. Cash flow analysis is where accountants stop doing compliance only and start protecting real businesses. It shows problems before they become crises and turns guessing into planning. If you are not talking to your clients about cash flow, someone else will, and they will get paid for it. Cash is not just a number. It is the difference between surviving and shutting the doors.

Non-paying debtors are one of the most common reasons small businesses struggle with cash flow, yet they are often ignored until the situation becomes critical. This article shows how a Chartered Business Accountant in Practice can move beyond simply recording overdue balances and instead help clients assess recoverability, apply the correct accounting treatment, manage tax risk, and strengthen credit control processes. When handled properly, bad debts become an opportunity to protect cash flow, improve financial discipline, and support better business decisions before a crisis arises.

The new King V Code has landed, and it’s a game-changer for every accountant, not just the big firms. With clearer rules, a stronger focus on ethics, AI, and sustainability, and more practical guidance, it helps you stay compliant, build trust, and lead with confidence. If you are in practice, this is a must-read update.

Nonprofits thrive when good intentions meet sound financial strategy. This article from the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants (CIBA) unpacks practical ways for NPO treasurers to strengthen sustainability through smart fundraising, donor engagement, and transparent reporting.
Discover how to create a fundraising plan that works, build lasting donor relationships, and measure the real impact of your efforts all while aligning with CIBA’s vision of developing Accountants for the Future who drive meaningful social change.

Think outside the classroom: Why flexible learning is the future of fairness
Rigid education systems are leaving too many capable people behind. This article explores how how CIBA is changing the game by recognising skills gained outside the classroom. Because in today’s world, what you can do should matter more than where you studied.

With post-commencement creditors counting as voters, business rescue plans face a new reality. This article unpacks the SCA decision, walks through practical checklists for meetings, accounting and disclosure implications, and shows what accountants and BRPs must do to keep plans legally sound.

When a company is in distress, hope is not a strategy. Directors, creditors, and employees need evidence, not promises. Financial modelling gives Chartered Business Accountants in Practice (CBAP) the power to test reality, prove whether a rescue plan works, and decide if survival is possible. It is the difference between reckless optimism and disciplined turnaround. In Business Rescue, numbers do not just tell a story, they decide the future.

Is your client heading for insolvency—and taking you with them? When payroll bounces and the sheriff shows up empty-handed, you're the first line of defence. In this article we show you how to spot red flags early, like nulla bona returns, panic asset sales, and “I can’t pay” emails. Read the full article and turn financial distress into billable advisory.

As Business Accountants in Practice, your clients rely on you for more than just numbers — they need insight. This article breaks down how you can use financial data to guide smarter decisions. With simple tools and a clear 6-step process, you’ll learn how to clean, analyse, and present data in a way clients understand and trust.

Think helping with a deceased estate is just “admin work”? Think again. A recent High Court ruling made it crystal clear: unless you're legally authorised, acting as an agent, even under a power of attorney, could land you in hot water. In this case a would-be estate assistant learned the hard way that titles don’t matter, but functions do. If you’re a CBAP or accounting pro, this is the case you need to know about.

A business valuation helps you find out. Whether you're planning to sell, bring in a new partner, apply for a loan, or just want to track your growth, knowing your value puts you in control. In this article, we explain what a valuation is, when to do one, and the simple methods you can use, even if you're not a financial expert. It's easier than you think, and it could be one of the smartest steps you take for your business.

Joint ventures are a powerful way for businesses to collaborate without setting up a new company, but they come with important accounting, VAT, and B-BBEE responsibilities. This article breaks down how to set up and manage an unincorporated joint venture in South Africa, with simple, practical guidance for CIBA designation holders advising clients or entering JVs themselves. From drafting the right agreement to handling VAT registration and B-BBEE scorecards, here’s what every business accountant needs to know.