Technology Powers Evolution

of Accountancy - SAIPA

Fourth annual SAIPA Accounting iNdaba tackles Technomics, where technology intersects with future economies

Johannesburg, 20 September 2022

South African accountancy professionals will be tackling the growing role of technology in their field at the fourth annual South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) Accounting iNdaba, taking place on 2-3 November 2022.

With the increasing digitalisation of accountancy tasks previously done by humans, accountants can now move to more strategic advisory, helping organisations, big and small, to become faster and smarter. With the theme Technomics for Sustainability, the conference will help accountancy professionals embrace and leverage technology, rather than feel threatened by technology, enabling more insight-driven strategic work. It will also address the risk of cybercrime, which continues to escalate with advances in technology and the digitised environment.

The main objective of the Accounting iNdaba is to bring together all accountancy and finance professionals (not only SAIPA members) across corporate SA, public sector, academia, and business advisory to dialogue and critically analyse the sustainability issues in a technologically charged environment.

Many SAIPA members are entrepreneurs who service the SME sector, gaining accreditation through the six professional designations trademarked by SAIPA, a globally recognised accountancy body.

Being SAIPA’s first hybrid iNdaba, delegates can attend virtually or in-person at the Hilton Sandton Hotel from 2-3 November 2022.

Co-hosted by SAIPA Executive Faith Ngwenya and Khaya Sithole, the iNdaba will feature several expert speakers in various fields, such as:

  • Alan Johnson, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
  • Advocate Andy Mothibi, Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU)
  • Mark Kingon, Head of Stakeholder Relations Integrity and Anti-Corruption at the South African Revenue Services (SARS)
  • Doné Howel, Director of Individual Tax, Trusts and Estates at BDO South Africa
  • Prof Thabo Legwaila, Chief Executive at the Office of the Tax Ombud South Africa
  • Dr Claudelle von Eck, former Chief Executive of the Institute of Internal Auditors
  • Scott Hanson – IFAC
  • Jaco de Jager – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
  • Prof Rashied Small – Executive of SAIPA Centre of Future Excellence
  • Ross Saunders – Specialist in data protection and information security

A rich schedule of panel discussions will include topics like Fraud and Corruption, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, How Artificial Intelligence (AI) works, the Metaverse and NFTs, Women in Accounting, the Value of Data, Continuous Audits using IT, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Ethics, and others supporting the central theme of Technomics.

“Into the future, the phenomenon of Technomics will be an increasingly pervasive reality as platforms become more immersive and integrated,” says Shahied Daniels, SAIPA Chief Executive. “For instance, rather than having separate accounts and apps for each service in our lives, environments like the Metaverse will integrate these into a single experience powered by artificial intelligence, the blockchain and other emerging technologies.

“Financial reporting will have to become more than just a business support function, but a key generator of insights that drive the investment in and acquisition of hardware, software, and technology as a whole. Technomics describes how economies of scale are realised using technology, particularly computer technology (as opposed to machinery),” Daniels adds.

The event will culminate in a gala dinner celebrating SAIPA’s 40 years in existence and an awards ceremony, recognising Accounting and Maths Olympiad winners, Accountancy and Tax (PHD and Masters) Thesis winners, and the top SAIPA Project Achiever candidates around South Africa.

“Traditionally, accounting systems have focused on capturing information about economic transactions that have already occurred,” says Daniels. “Now, however, digital data can point to future economic trends and exchanges. If accountants are to retain their relevance, they will need to learn to read the signs and directions revealed by digital data. They need to unravel new insights from information generated by products that are increasingly becoming smart information systems.”

SAIPA initiated the Accounting iNdaba in 2019 to provide a platform for accountancy and finance professionals to engage on the future of the profession impacted by technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Over the past three years, it has grown from embracing technology and using information and data as an asset, to realizing the economic value contribution accountants make to businesses when in a strategic decision-making role, especially in disruptive and uncertain times.

To register go to:
Accounting iNdaba 2022