While firms and other corporations may become accounting officers if they meet the requirements, the information below pertains to individuals who are recognised by the CIPC as per section 60 of the Close Corporations Act, 1984.
Qualified members of the following registered bodies can perform the duties of accounting officer and produce and sign reports for close corporations in South Africa:
Recognised professional bodies for accounting officers
- The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
- Auditors registered in terms of the Auditing Profession Act, 2005
- The Southern African Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)
- The Institute of Accounting and Commerce (IAC) — members who have obtained the Diploma in Accountancy
- The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- The Chartered Institute of Business Management (MCIBM)
- The South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA)
- The South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA)
Update: in 2025 the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition also gazetted members of the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT) as qualifying to act as accounting officers.
The duties of an accounting officer are set out in the Close Corporations Act 69 of 1984. Marcafé is headed by a member of the ACCA. See our financial statements service.
This article is general information, not advice for your specific situation. Rules and fees change — contact us to confirm what applies to you.