SAICA welcomes the appointment of a high-level task team to manage the National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service

Mr Nomvalo said: “SAICA has previously called for mandatory higher qualifications and skill levels for key municipal finance posts. The Institute is committed to supporting government in improving public finance management, acting in the public interest, and contributing to the economic and social advancement of the country as enshrined in its Constitution.”

Moreover, SAICA is determined to work together with the public service to offer its finance officers accounting skills and qualifications through its Chartered Accountants [CAs(SA)], Associate General Accountant [AGA(SA)] and Accounting Technician [AT(SA)] designations as well as professional accountants from other relevant professional bodies, as part of its work to address the financial skills shortage. Individuals who hold these SAICA designations are subject to SAICA’s Code of Professional Conduct (the Code), which means that the risk of unethical behaviour resulting in wasteful expenditure, for example, will be mitigated. Indeed, to date SAICA has already upskilled over 6 000 public sector employees with these skills, yet much more needs to be done.

In December 2020, Minister Mchunu released the draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service for public comment. This followed the Cabinet’s approval of the publication of the draft framework, which is in line with the commitment made by the sixth administration to create a capable, ethical, and developmental public service. The Minister initiated a public consultation process with the key stakeholders from various organisations and institutions inside and outside the public sector early this year. Through these public consultations, 159 organisations (including universities, research institutions, public sector institutions and professional bodies) participated and over 771 individuals attended the sessions.

SAICA submitted comments to the draft framework in February 2021, which included notes on creating an enabling environment for professionals where they can thrive and operate without fear; a recommendation to create a separate Code of Ethics to manage the ethical behaviour of public servants; as well as advice on the implementation and monitoring of the framework that would be key to its success.

Mr Nomvalo, added: “As a country we need stability at leadership level (directors-general and boards of state-owned entities), effective parliamentary oversight and appropriately skilled personnel. And finally, we need to ensure that professional conduct and ethics are upheld at the highest level by both government employees and consultants used to prepare annual financial statements for audit. That is why SAICA supports the initiative to professionalise the public service. Professionalisation will compel staff to be proficient in their disciplines as well as comply with Codes of Professional Conduct and Ethics as part of their membership commitment.”

“It is our recommendation and hope that the public service will enforce the minimum competence requirements for all public officials working in financial positions. Should this become the norm, citizens can look forward to improved government performance, quality service delivery, clean audits and, ultimately, a public service that is on a positive path to achieving the visions of the National Development Plan through sound financial and administrative management of taxpayers’ money,” added Nomvalo.

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), South Africa’s pre-eminent accountancy body, is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading accounting institutes. The Institute provides a wide range of support services to more than 50 000 members and associates who are chartered accountants (CAs[SA]), as well as associate general accountants (AGAs[SA]) and accounting technicians (ATs[SA]), who hold positions as CEOs, MDs, board directors, business owners, chief financial officers, auditors and leaders in every sphere of commerce and industry, and who play a significant role in the nation’s highly dynamic business sector and economic development.

Chartered Accountants are highly valued for their versatile skill set and creative lateral thinking, that's why all of the top 100 Global Brands employ Chartered Accountants.

Kulani Chauke
Project Manager: Corporate Communications
SAICA Brand Division
011 479 0698 / 071 266 0019
***@saica.co.za