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.

South Africa’s business landscape is under pressure, and accountants are at the centre of it. In the first four months of 2025, 482 companies closed their doors, most of them by choice. These are not distant corporates but the small and medium businesses that make up your client base. Behind each closure is a business owner who felt there was no way forward. But there was, and that is where your role becomes critical. This article explores why liquidations are rising, what is driving the trend, and how accountants can move beyond compliance to become strategic advisors, crisis navigators and trusted partners in times of uncertainty.