"We will ensure that attendees leave with a more nuanced understanding of SAIPA so that they can become our partner in our goal of growing and transforming the accounting profession," says Zobuzwe Ngobese, marketing and communications executive at the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), a gold partner at the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 on 13 and 14 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
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In the coming weeks and months, we will be chatting to all the Indaba partners, asking them why they are joining the event and what their most important message for finance professionals is.
Do you want to hear how you can partner with SAIPA to transform the accounting profession? Do you want to be informed about the latest and greatest in finance? Then don't miss the Finance Indaba Africa 2016.
Why will you be present at the 2016 Finance Indaba? "SAIPA sees the Finance Indaba as the perfect platform to engage with top Executives in the financial services sector. It affords us the opportunity to share information about SAIPA, specifically in the areas of transformation in the profession, and competency-based training - in the financial services industry in general, and the accounting profession in particular - and the benefits of membership.
"We want decision-makers to buy into our vision of turning big corporates into Accredited Training Centres that can absorb a number of University graduates for learnerships. This will go a long way to expanding the pool of skills demanded by the economy."
What will you be talking about?
"Our focus will be on the SAIPA model of competency-based training and how it is changing the game of skills development.
"We will share our successes from the partnership we have with FASSET SETA with regards to our flagship project - Project Achiever. We will also share how this initiative is contributing towards the transformation of the industry by producing high quality black accountants.
"In short, we will ensure that attendees leave with a more nuanced understanding of SAIPA so that they can become our partner in our goal of growing and transforming the accounting profession."
What are the challenges you can help finance professionals with in 2016?
"For professionals running their own practices or working in demanding corporate environments, it is often difficult to keep up to date with new regulations and changes in their profession.
"SAIPA provides up to date information and assistance to its members in order for them to maintain their relevance. These include, among others:
- Articles, comments and guidelines on the effect that changes in the profession have on the quality of the services they render;
- Regular Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions to update and improve the competencies required to render their services in a changing and competitive environment; and
- The publication of magazines on technical matters, including accounting and tax matters."
What are some of the other benefits of membership?
"SAIPA is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) as well as the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA).
- SAIPA qualifications are nationally recognised at NQF Level 8 by the South African Qualifications Authority in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
- SAIPA is one of the Professional Accountancy Organisations in South Africa that sets mandatory requirements for its members with regard to CPDs to ensure compliance with the IFAC International Education Standards.
- Professional Indemnity insurance: The annual membership subscription includes cover to the value of R5 million, should you be sued for any oversight or anything you might have unintentionally done.
- Directors' and Officers' liability cover: As a Professional Accountant, you are a public officer. The SAIPA annual membership subscription includes cover to the value of R1 million to protect you against any third party liability/claims.
- Other benefits:
- Registration as a Tax Practitioner, with no further examinations
- Subscriptions to monthly Association magazines giving insights into the profession as well as up to date articles and information (Professional Accountant and Tax Professional)
- Technical support
- Offering of CPDs
- Monthly Technews electronic communication."
How has the uptake in membership been over the past few years?
"We continue to steadily grow our membership base through various marketing efforts aimed at schools, universities, corporates and the public sector. The average growth in membership has been 10% per annum. Our current membership stands at 10 850 members, nationally."
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