Insight

The financial integrity of a company often lies in the hands of an independent board of directors known as the audit committee. As chief financial officers, it is important to know your role when it comes to dealing with this committee, writes Vodacom CFO Raisibe Morathi.

At Executive Day 2024, Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub took attendees through what it takes for successful exco collaboration during an insightful panel discussion.

Executive Day 2024, held at the lively Melrose Arch in Johannesburg on 5 September 2024, lived up to its promise as an immersive simulation experience for South Africa's brightest financial minds and their HR and IT counterparts in the C-suite.

Sandra Villars, partner, financial services at management consultancy firm Oliver Wyman writes that financial services can no longer ignore the importance of sustainability practices.

The report also marks 10 years of the company’s existence.

South Africa’s retirement savings landscape is poised for a major transformation with the introduction of the new two-pot retirement system on 1 September 2024. Shaheed Mohamed, head of group savings and investments at Allan Gray, delves into these critical changes.

The move from Jibar to Zaronia is bringing about a big change in South Africa's financial sector. The effects of this move on contracts and financial risk are something CFOs need to be aware of.

As we continue to celebrate women’s month, we reflect on the country’s index when it comes to women empowerment in strategic fields and positions.

Former CFO and current associate director of Kearney Jo-Ann Pohl shares insights into how CFOs can successfully manage an ESG strategy internally, across departments and corporate working groups.

A poll conducted at the inaugural event shows what’s top of mind for South Africa’s financial leaders.

Poor infrastructure challenges are plaguing SA Inc, but CFO D’Shorne Human unpacks how SAFCOL’s diversifying strategy is helping the SOC continue crucial business operations, like automation and diversification.

SoluGrowth business executive Berna Botha provides an overview of the challenges that keep CFOs up at night, as well as trends rapidly reshaping the finance profession.

CFO Brad Wentzel explains the need to practise patience when leading finance teams, especially during difficult and chaotic times.

Eddie will be taking up the CEO role at USN after 13 years at TWK, where he played a crucial role in the company's recovery and restructuring.

PwC South Africa Senior Economist Christie Viljoen looks at the effect of foreign investment on our economy.

Syspro's EMEA head of finance Aucamp van der Schyff unpacks the Manufacturing CFO Survey, which reveals that the role of the hybrid CFO is continuously evolving in the sector.

With South Africa among the bottom 20 percent of countries when it comes to social impact effectiveness, Kearney experts unpack how CFOs can align purpose with profit to improve the “S” in their ESG impact.

Future of work guru Ray de Villiers says that, as the role of finance teams changes due to generative AI taking over their number-crunching responsibilities, it’s up to CFOs to make sure their people understand what the new future will look like, and the power they have to impact it.

Brad Wentzel reveals his strategy for restoring a motorcycle, and how businesses can do the same to ensure success.

Stabilising debt, funding critical services and responding to the promises made in the SONA are among the many balls South Africa’s finance minister must juggle during his budget speech, reveals KPMG South Africa lead economist.

The CFO Centre’s Rowan de Klerk reveals how CFOs can remain optimistic in the new year despite the challenging business environment South Africa is in.

South African Alistair Roman has been in the UK since 2009, building the skills needed to be a well-rounded and highly successful leader in a global community. Speaking with CFO South Africa, he talks about how he broadened his horizons across the pond, and why he is eager to bring it back to his home country.

AFMS Group’s Jamie Louw shares his top learnings from the multiple wins South Africa’s rugby team achieved this year, unpacking the five that resonated most with him as a CFO.

BDO South Africa COO of Business Restructuring Services and former CFO Buhle Hanise provides six reasons why other finance executives should embrace business rescue as a tool to secure the future of a struggling organisation.

Frey’s Food CFO Brad Wentzel shares the similarities between disassembling a motorcycle and deconstructing a business strategy.

CFO Louis Naude reveals the top six considerations CFOs need to keep in mind when they are looking to invest in new opportunities.

Boston Consulting Group experts Nihmal Marrie, Caio Anteghini and Isme Oosthuizen stress the transformative potential adopting generative AI can have on finance functions.

Global CFO Alvin Liew shares his top tips on how finance leaders should go about looking for and securing international jobs.

BDO’s Johann Benadé reveals how PBO donations will enhance transparency and impact.

Corporate Traveller’s Bonnie Smith unpacks the skills that make a great leader in uncertain times.

CMS South Africa’s Zaakir Mohamed unpacks CFOs' role in protecting business from exposure to crime syndicates.

Brad Wentzel shares his final phase of becoming Frey’s Food Brands’ CFO, where he starts to implement change.

CFO Megan Pydigadu explains how she helped create awareness for people with disabilities in the workplace.

AFMS Group CFO Jamie Louw reveals how leaving behind your scarcity mindset can create new opportunities.

BDO SA’s Louis van Manen unpacks how CFOs can benefit from their tax obligations.

Nashua Kopano MD Chris Kruger reveals how CFOs can benefit from the power crisis through ESG strategies.

TransUnion CFO Sharon Naidoo reveals how to survive a recession with the right purpose, vision and mission.

The CFO Centre’s Matthew Comins explains why coaching from experience can benefit CFOs.

It’s time for South African business priorities to shift from the social to the environmental considerations of ESG.

CFO Brad Wentzel shares a roadmap on how to ready your organisation for its change journey.

Transunion CFO Sharon Naidoo unpacks how to create a smooth sail in rough seas by investing in untapped markets.

AFMS Group’s Jamie Louw reveals the essential skills every CFO needs to navigate complex business decisions.

Brad Wentzel shares his top tips from weeks eight to 25 of being the new CFO of Frey's Food Brands.

Metropolitan Retail CFO Etienne le Roux shares how he has married his passion with his leadership style.

CFO Taryn Augoustatos explains why financial inclusion is the driving force for Fintech startups.

Brad Wentzel shares his top five takeaways from his first seven days as the CFO of Frey's Food Brands.

FNB Botswana’s Luke Woodford shares some reflections on his personal 100-day plan for the CFO role.

Banks must keep up with disruptive technologies and new players, writes Charles Edelstein, CFO of Executive Placements.

Telecom expense management can reduce IoT connectivity costs by 30 percent, reveals Apex BI’s Neil Buckley.

Times 3 Technologies’ Stephen Howe explains that finance as a function has evolved right alongside technology.

Inyathelo FD Soraya Joonas says non-profit reporting needs to go beyond a tick-box exercise.

The SAP Africa CFO reveals why women shouldn’t leave their jobs anytime soon.

Like building a motorcycle, you need to follow a service manual to be a great leader, says CFO Brad Wentzel.

Shadrack Kubyane: My ‘accidental’ involvement with blockchain led to ESG reporting improvements.

When it comes to managing ESG, CFOs must adopt a readiness mindset.

Sage VP of finance Jordaan Burger unpacks the magic of financial storytelling.

Rowen Grierson explains that the next step in the evolution of the CFO role is becoming a chief futures officer.

iOCO’s Adriaan Rossouw reveals how analytics helps CFOs tackle assumptions and move on business moments.

Allan Saffy looks at how CFOs can help their organisations combat the rate of change.

Michael Mncube shares how technology is changing the compliance and reporting landscape.

The TechnoDyn Group CFO unpacks why purpose-driven leadership has been attracting new interest.

The CFO has become a business enabler and one of the primary drivers of future development and success.

Yusuf explains that work is just a small piece of the pie when balancing life, and should be given the respective time.

FIRtech CEO Ugan Maistry reveals that CFOs are using digital workers to help automate accounting processes.

Decision Inc's Desmond Struwig says finance leaders need to put their business strategy first.

EY's Paul O’Flaherty reveals seven ways CFOs can drive the sustainability agenda within their organisations.

Investec’s Itumeleng Merafe unpacks how CFOs can navigate the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

LanDynamix’s Ethan Searle reveals that CFOs can use managed services to determine IT costs.

LanDynamix’s Ethan Searle unpacks how managed service business models could be just what CFOs need.

Kamanie Naicker unpacks Absa’s approach to building a powerful digital ecosystem.

21st Century CEO Chris Blair unpacks a recent study into the adoption and application of ESG metrics.

Organisations have been slow to embrace independent reviews as an alternative to audits, but this is changing.

ESG expert Brett Wallington unpacks why ESG commitments don’t measure impact on Earth and society.

FD Soraya Joonas explains how Inyathelo looked inward to be more flexible during uncertain times.

Herman Singh explains how professionals can use their social media to build their network and career (part two).

A look at must-read opinion pieces of 2021 from CFOs in our community.

Synthesis’s Leandré Roux shares his lessons, pitfalls and successes while building digital platforms.

Stephen Kreusch explains that cybersecurity is becoming less of a cost centre in data-centric organisations.

Veeam’s Chris Norton says CFOs have the opportunity to fast-track their organisations’ digital transformation.

Sound financial management helps to ensure the survival and resilience of an organisation, says Soraya.

Agile Capital’s Liz Kolobe says a successful management buy-out needs a CFO who can adapt to new business.

Eftsure’s Ryan Mer explains that opportunity cost is greater than the risk of a cybersecurity attack.

Automation holds the promise of real value for finance leaders and their departments – provided best practice is followed.

Workday's Fred Portal unpacks how Covid-19 has forced organisations to accelerate their digital transformation strategies.

CFO Sharon Naidoo asks why organisations are falling into price wars instead of trusting their brand value.

Apex BI Neil Buckley explains that CFOs are trying to navigate a veritable minefield of hidden costs.

Herman Singh explains how professionals can use their social media to build their network and career (part one).

Heiner Freese says leaders need to work together to navigate the impact of unrest and Covid-19.

Elmar Grobbelaar says businesses need to embrace innovation and become a fintech player.

Quantimetrics CEO Bram Meyerson says CFOs need to be prepared when boards demand measurable value.

Kobus Venter explains that centralised treasury tech helps CFOs keep a handle on liquidity, cash flow and risk.

Turrito Networks’ Brian Timperley reveals why cutting the business down to size is a smart growth tactic.

Automation has become a feature of the finance function – in a positive way – says the iOCO CFO.

Synthesis MD Michael Shapiro unpacks the fears around AI and how it can be used for social good.

Adri Führi, e4 group CFO, says much more can be done to ensure equality and innovation.

Herman Singh says that in order for start-ups to be successful, they need to have a resourceful team.

Roche Diagnostics’ Numair Hussain shares a few pearls of wisdom for job seekers today.

Recent civil unrest has highlighted the need to ensure business operations can be maintained as far as possible.

Herman Singh reflects on the recent civil unrest in South Africa and the impact it will have on businesses going forward.

Data is not an IT problem anymore, which is why CFOs need to get involved in its lifecycle in a business, says Serisha.

TymeBank’s Dietmar Bohmer highlights the benefits of banks moving to the cloud to stay agile.

An authentic leader is trustworthy, understanding and inclusive, says JAM International CFO Nico Esterhuizen.

To create control, CFOs must standardise their finance processes, reveals CA Southern Africa’s Michael Brink.

The King Price Insurance CFO explains that, pandemic or not, remote working is here to stay.

Herman Singh shares the six key stages CFOs and organisations need to follow on their cloud journey.

Michael Brink explains how finance professionals can benefit from automating their financial close.

Revenue growth is challenging in the current economic climate and cost efficiency is crucial for survival.

Tramayne believes David and Goliath teaches that difficulty grows capability.

Tsakeriwa explains that the agency has received unqualified audit opinions for the past two financial years.

Nutanix’s Rowen Grierson explains why CFOs should be investing in subscription-based IT solutions.

Grant Greeff explains that CEOs and CFOs have clear lanes of accountability and need to trust each other.

Herman Singh explains how you can build a more coherent life strategy by redefining what success looks like.

DoughGetters' Willem Haarhoff shares the seven things they learned while working from home during the pandemic.

AGCS’s Paul Schiavone highlights some of the most significant risks for the financial services industry.

Xperien’s Wale Arewa takes a deep dive into the rules of PoPIA and the consequences of breaking them.

Pax Mataitsane says CFOs and ICT teams should work together as they move onto more agile OEM providers.

Pieter Janse van Rensburg says companies must position themselves to deal with complex tax matters.

We know the role of the CFO is evolving, but now post-Covid it’s do or die, says Herman Singh.

Accountants have been real life-savers during Covid-19 by transforming their human capital structures.

CFO Paul Stedall says that finance professionals today are looking for the financial benefits of tech spend.