Sedibeng Gets New SAIPA District Association

South African Institute of Professional Accountants
31 January 2019

The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) recently expanded its reach by establishing a district association in the Sedibeng municipal area. The district chairman, Pitso Zwane, a Professional Accountant (SA) and Manager of Municipal Capacity Building & IGR at the Gauteng Provincial Treasury, says the community in the local and surrounding areas will benefit greatly from the Institute’s presence and initiatives there.

According to Zobuzwe Ngobese, Marketing and Communications Executive at SAIPA, the Institute strives to cater to the needs of its members outside larger cities. “We don’t want distance to be an obstacle so we’re enthusiastic about taking the SAIPA brand to them.”

Less travel
Every Professional Accountant (SA) must accumulate a set number of annual continuing professional development (CPD) hours by attending SAIPA-approved informational events. They can also network with other practitioners at SAIPA-organised functions. Members in small Cities used to get up early and drive many kilometres to attend morning CPDs or travel home late at night from seminars. “If members put off attending events because they’re reluctant to travel, they’ll end up scrambling at the end of the year to meet their CPD quota, and they’ll lose out on growth opportunities. The Sedibeng District Association brings CDP seminars right to the community’s front door,” says Zwane.

Local flavour
Sedibeng’s economy is dominated by tourism, agriculture and presents growth opportunities in agriculture and tourism. As Zwane points out, this creates a somewhat different needs profile from urban areas, like Johannesburg. “The association intends to cater for members in those sectors the same high standard of training, support and networks in forums,” he says, “but we’ll make CPDs relevant to local accountants who must keep abreast with best practices, for example, in agricultural accounting.”

Sedibeng committee chairpersons serve on SAIPA’s northern regional committee and can escalate their issues to a regional level as well as integrate the needs of their community into regional programmes.

Events
Apart from CPDs, the committee is planning a range of events. These include an annual members’ meeting and an October mini-convention, where reputable experts will speak on topics such as tax matters, reporting standards, professional ethics, practice management and accounting technology. At a quarterly or bi-annual members meeting, attendees will be informed of the association’s goals and progress. The committee will also hold a monthly meeting where it will discuss growth plans and set targets. Finally, members will have a chance to air their views and network at a monthly members’ forum. The association also hopes to arrange sponsored complementary events, such as business breakfasts or annual gala dinners.

Says Zwane, “We don’t just cater to SAIPA members but invite all accountants, regardless of their professional affiliation, to join us for socializing, professional networking and support. They can also attend our CPDs to keep their skills honed and redeem the attached points with their own institute.”

Newsletter
Zwane encourages all Sedibeng based SAIPA members to read their monthly regional newsletter where they will find details of the dates and format of planned events for the district. “We look forward to healthy growth in 2019 and beyond while offering support tailored especially to the Sedibeng accounting community.”