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.

Many businesses wait too long before taking action, slipping from distress into collapse while their advisors focus on compliance rather than strategy. Business rescue offers a structured legal process that can protect jobs, preserve value, and improve returns to creditors—if implemented early. Accountants play a critical role throughout, from identifying distress and compiling updated financials to supporting the development and implementation of the rescue plan. This is not theoretical knowledge; it’s practical, applied work that positions accountants as strategic partners in business continuity.