Manufacturing is one of the important sectors needed to improve the economies of Namibia and South Africa. However, the manufacturing sectors of both countries are not performing as planned. Management accounting is one of the requirements needed for a successful organisation. With the aim of reducing costs, improving decision making, profits and customer satisfaction, the main role of management accounting in manufacturing companies of Namibia and the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is to control cost, forecast and budget, make decisions, report internally, improve profits and manage working capital. This study used an online survey to examine the factors that affect the effectiveness of management accounting in executing this role. The findings of the study revealed that management accounting is affected by the external environment, developments in technology and customer satisfaction. It also found that organisational structure, relationships with stakeholders and management accounting reporting were internal factors affecting management accounting. Specific skills like numerical and analytical skills were also identified as important to the role of management accounting. Based on contingency and role theories, this research aims to find those factors which can be controlled to improve the effectiveness of management accounting systems in manufacturing organisations, and as a result improve the success of those organisations on which these systems are contingent.

Thesis (M. COM. (Accounting)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Cost accounting has been seen as one of the most effective management tools in strengthening an organisation’s performance through effective decision making and systematic cost accounting formulation and implementation. Although cost accounting was more prevalent in the private sector and public sector, it is still insubstantial and unpopular in African traditional healing in the sense that there is limited literature or evidence that supports the use of cost accounting in African traditional healing. The main aim of this the study is to examine the need of cost accounting practices in African traditional healing and the reason for its partial application. In so doing, this requires examining the necessity of cost accounting practices’ adoption to improve product and service pricing in African traditional healing, examine the reasons for the partial application of cost accounting practices in African traditional healing and to suggest or recommend how the adoption of cost accounting practices can improve product and service pricing in African traditional healing. This research was undertaken with the traditional healers in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. Data were collected through the focus group interview which was conducted with African traditional healers. One focus group interview was conducted with seven African traditional healers consisting of six females and one male participant. The research findings revealed that there is a need to facilitate decisions in traditional healing through cost accounting principles regarding the appropriate costing of products and services of the traditional healers through the provision of accurate cost accounting information in traditional healing. However, there were also a number of factors that encouraged traditional healers to use cost accounting in the context of African Traditional Healing and have confidence in integrated cost accounting in traditional healing.

Study project (MAcc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: THE NECESSITY OF A FINANCIAL REPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTITIES Financial statements are prepared annually for all types of businesses and for a wide variety of users that require specific information in order to make certain decisions. The majority of users of the financial statements of larger companies, especially listed public companies, use the information in fmancial statements to make investment decisions, since they are unable to obtain fmancial information in any other way. However, the users of the financial statements of small and medium-sized entities have a legal and/or inferential right to request further financial information to enable them to make certain decisions. Thus, users of fmancial statements are classified according to their right to obtain fmancial information. To protect the right of the users of larger entities, it is necessary to compile fmancial statements in accordance with a financial reporting framework that includes certain requirements regarding the measurement and recognition of transactions, as well as the minimum information that needs to be disclosed to these users. This fmancial reporting framework has been adapted over the years to protect investors. Small and medium-sized entities are legally compelled to comply with the same reporting framework at a high cost, even if such users had no need for all the information. To assist small entities (that are of great value to the economy) in saving these costs whilst still setting a standard, different international models were implemented that have encouraged South Africa to follow the same path. To make a success of the South African model, two criteria should be met. Firstly, the qualification requirements for an entity should be based on qualitative criteria, such as the right of users to obtain further information, before such entities can comply with the accounting standards set for small and medium-sized entities. Secondly, simpler and more understandable financial statements should be the result of the application of these new financial standards. This is only possible if the measurement and recognition criteria as well as the disclosure requirements of the current accounting standards are adjusted to meet the needs of smaller entities. These adjustments, as well as the implementation of new accounting standards are discussed in this study, after which the writer reaches the conclusion that a financial reporting framework for small and medium-sized entities is necessary for the upcoming South African economy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DIE NOODSAAKLIKHEID VAN 'N REKENINGKUNDIGE VERSLAGDOENINGSRAAMWERK VIR KLEIN EN MEDIUM GROOTTE ENTITEITE Finansiële state word jaarliks vir alle tipe ondernemingsvorme opgestel VIT gebruik deur 'n wye verskeidenheid gebruikers wat elkeen spesifieke inligting benodig om bepaalde besluite te neem. Die oorgrote meerderheid gebruikers van groter en veral genoteerde publieke maatskappye, moet op grond van die finansiële inligting soos vervat in die fmansiële state hul beleggingsbesluite neem aangesien hulle nie ander finansiële inligting kan bekom nie. Aan die ander kant beskik feitlik al die gebruikers van klein en medium grootte entiteite oor 'n wetlike en/of afgeleide reg om verdere fmansiële inligting aan te vra wanneer dit benodig word om bepaalde besluite te neem. Gebruikers van fmansiële state word dus geklassifiseer op grond van die reg tot die verkryging van fmansiële inligting. Om hierdie reg te beskerm by veral die gebruikers van finansiële state van groter maatskappye, is dit noodsaaklik dat fmansiële state ooreenkomstig 'n rekeningkundige verslagdoeningsraamwerk opgestel word. Hierdie raamwerk behoort vereistes uiteen te sit aangaande die meting en erkenning van transaksies, asook die minimum inligting wat geopenbaar moet word aan die gebruikers. Hierdie rekeningkundige verslagdoeningsraamwerk is egter oor die jare baie aangepas om beleggers te beskerm. Klein en medium grootte entiteite is wetlik verplig om teen hoë koste ook daaraan te voldoen, ten spyte daarvan dat die gebruikers van hierdie entiteite nie die inligting gebruik nie. Ten einde klein entiteite (wat van groot waarde in 'n ekonomie is) van hierdie onnodige koste te spaar en steeds 'n riglyn daar te stel, is verskeie internasionale modelle geïmplementeer en is Suid-Afrika aangespoor om dieselfde pad te volg. Om die Suid-Afrikaanse model werkbaar te maak, is twee komponente noodsaaklik. Eerstens moet die toelatingskriteria gegrond word op kwalitatiewe kriteria, soos die reg van gebruikers om verdere inligting te bekom. Entiteite moet aan hierdie kriteria voldoen alvorens die nuwe rekeningkundige standaarde vir klein en medium grootte entiteite toegepas mag word. Tweedens behoort vereenvoudigde en maklik verstaanbare finansiële state die gevolg van die toepassing van hierdie nuwe rekeningkundige standaarde se inhoud te wees. Dit is slegs moontlik indien die metings- en erkenningskriteria, asook die openbaarmakingsvereistes van die huidige rekeningkundige standaarde aangepas word om aan kleiner entiteite se behoeftes te voldoen. Hierdie aanpassmgs, asook die implementering van nuwe rekeningkundige standaarde word in die studie bespreek, waarna die skrywer tot die gevolgtrekking kom dat 'n rekeningkundige verslagdoeningsraamwerk vir klein en medium grootte entiteite 'n noodsaaklikheid vir die opkomende Suid- Afrikaanse ekonomie is.

A project report submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of master of science in engineering / Industry in South Africa, and in particular the mining industry is faced with unprecedented challenges to remain profitable. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / AC2017

During the early 1970's two trends emerged in the South African business environment. The first trend was that the number of diversified enterprises started increasing, and the second trend was that there was a steady increase in the activities and power of trade unions. These two trends were considered during the evaluation of prior research on the topic of segment reporting. Prior research on segment reporting focused on the usefulness of segment reporting, the problems associated with segment identification, the objections to providing segment information, and the extent to which diversified companies disclose segment information. Using the trends identified and the prior research, the research problem developed was as follows: are the segment disclosures of South African listed companies sufficient to meet the information needs of trade unions in South Africa, and if not, what additional information do trade unions require? The research problem was limited to listed companies as it was identified that trade unions may experience difficulty in obtaining information which is not available to the general public. In addressing the problem, the following three objectives were formulated: (i) to determine if trade unions use segment information, (ii) to determine what their requirements are in respect of segment information, and (iii) if trade unions do not use segment information, to determine why segment information is not used. In order to achieve these three objectives, it was necessary to conduct a survey of trade unions on their use of segment information. This survey was undertaken as a series of replicative case studies with the primary data being obtained by means of interviews. Generalisations were then made about the use that trade unions make of segment information. The main conclusions to this research were: (i) trade unions use segment information unless they are part of a national bargaining forum, (ii) trade unions consider segment information to be at least as useful as consolidated information, and (iii) trade unions use segment information primarily to form the basis for wage negotiations and to assess overall company performance. Once these conclusions had been drawn, the results were compared to results of a survey of investment analysts in South Africa, and evaluated against proposals contained in the International Exposure Draft (E51) on segment reporting. There were similarities between the segment itnformation needs of trade unions and investment analysts, although the trade unions required more information regarding employees and the remuneration of management. Trade unions also indicated that the proposals contained in the exposure draft would be acceptable, although the unions would require more employee information on a segment basis to be disclosed. Thus, the research project achieved its objectives. In addition, areas for further research within the area of segment reporting were identified. / Thesis (M.Acc.)-University of Natal, 1997.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Accounting degree, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Financial accountability, financial control and financial reporting are the three main elements that determine the performance of the municipality. An analysis had to be made on each of these elements to find any limitations and gaps that negatively impact on the performance of the organisation. The aim of the study was to evaluate financial accountability, financial control and financial reporting of Umtshezi Municipality. The study was a census study and it was quantitative, descriptive and cross sectional in nature. The target population comprised of 45 employees from the finance department which was divided into five units, namely, Supply Chain Management, Expenditure, Asset/Fleet, Revenue and Budget. The IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to determine statistical results. The findings of the study discovered that officials lack educational qualifications and adequate understanding of the MFMA. The respondents also indicated that there was political influence affecting administration within the municipality. The study recommended that the municipality should provide funds to train employees. National Treasury should conduct consistent reviews on the implementation of the MFMA. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) should intervene to protect the administration from political threats. / M

The purpose of this single case study was to investigate the variables that determine the perceived success of the costing management of Mandela Bay Development Agency Projects (MBDA). Eleven propositions namely Strategic Planning, Stakeholders, Procurement Processes, Contracts, Design Management, Implementation Management, Internal Regulatory Structures, Outside Advice, Human Behaviour, Risk Management and Governance Structure, were identified that could influence costing management of MBDA projects. By using qualitative research methods, the MBDA was compared with three other agencies with similar mandates, by means of four semi-structured interviews, in order to identify similarities and differences between the organisations in terms of costing management. The results of nine in-depth interviews with MBDA project role players, with open ended questions about the participants’ views on the factors that influence costing management, were used to discover themes that were overlooked in the proposed model of perceived success of costing management of MBDA projects. Most of the propositions as per the proposed model for the perceived success of costing management of MBDA projects were confirmed to have a positive relationship to the costing management of MBDA projects. The model was revised after the results were presented to include two ante-ceding variables that were overlooked in the literature review, but emerged from the data namely Funding Model and Compliance to Legislation. The identification of the additional variables namely Team Dynamics (replacing Human Behaviour) and Planning Model are important aspects to be considered in relation to the costing management of MBDA projects. With the focus on good governance and the MBDA’s good record of clean and unqualified audits, it is to be noted that the performance of government projects is usually measured against progress and expenditure and not necessarily against the value for money and the quality of the completed project.

Thesis (M.Com. (Accountancy))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Accounting, 2016. / The mode of reporting performance by firms has shifted radically in recent years from a set of audited annual financial statements, to the inclusion of integrated and sustainability reports. This move has been particularly important for South African listed firms, which are required to prepare integrated reports (and therefore sustainability reports) due to the revision of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listing requirements. Although there are no specific accounting standards at present particularly for sustainability reports, certain reporting frameworks, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, have influenced and become leaders in such reporting. The value relevance of the quality of sustainability reports is the focus of this study. This research report tests whether report quality as measured by the GRI reporting categories is value relevant for JSE listed companies, whether better reporting companies achieve better long term performance over the period 2007 to 2015. Value relevance is measured using a 4 tiered portfolio construction technique, which uses the GRI reporting categories to define comparative investment portfolios. The results indicate that GRI firms with the highest report qualities underperformed significantly when compared to the market, with the exception of the C report firms, which showed some level of outperformance in the later portfolio years. Interestingly, the portfolio of firms using frameworks other than the GRI outperformed all of the categories of GRI framework firms, as well as the market. The results for the GRI category firms therefore contradict some of the previous research on the value relevance of sustainability reporting which used different measurement proxies for quality, while the non GRI reporting firm results find similar conclusions. This research report therefore concludes that the GRI framework implementation is relatively low in a South African context, and that the GRI report categories do not provide a measure of report quality for the purpose of measuring value relevance, and rather measure the breadth of reporting. This is partly due to the early stage of development of sustainability reporting within South Africa, as well as the lack of a mandatory assured reporting framework such as the GRI, resulting in many firms preferring not to use the globally favoured GRI framework. It appears that most firms are tailoring the various frameworks available to their needs rather than using a consistent framework, which results in reports not being based on the same framework, and therefore not being comparable, even on a high level indicator basis. This highlights the need for revisions to be introduced in the King IV report which will hopefully assist in formalising the leading sustainability framework, and therefore standardising sustainability reporting, together with providing a linkage to the Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa, which requires investors to integrate their investment decisions with sustainability considerations. / MT2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (specialising in Taxation), 13 September 2017 / Online resource (iii, 61 leaves) / The transfer of contingent liabilities as part of a sale of business transaction has always been a contentious issue. In particular, there is still a measure of uncertainty in whose hands, if any, contingent liabilities transferred as part of a sale of business may be deductible. Sale of business agreements may be structured in various ways, for example, the purchaser may acquire the seller’s business in exchange for cash, the creation of a loan account, or the assumption of liabilities. Furthermore, in the context of intra-group transactions to which the group roll-over relief provisions apply, the Income Tax Act 19621 (‘the Income Tax Act’) does not specifically address the transfer of contingent liabilities. This research report addresses the income tax consequences arising from the transfer of contingent liabilities from the seller to the purchaser, including an analysis of the relevant group roll-over relief provisions. Key words: Ackermans Judgment, Actually Incurred, Contingent Liabilities, Free-standing Contingent Liabilities, General Deduction Formula, Group roll-over relief, Interpretation Note 94, Sale of Business Transaction, SARS. / GR2018

The aim of this paper is to research how advanced accounting software can be used by police detectives, financial risk specialists and forensic investigation specialists, who are responsible for the investigation and tracing of the reintegration of proceeds of crime, from underground banking into formal banking system (pro active and reactive money laundering investigation) with a view on criminal prosecution. The research started of by looking at the basic ways how proceeds of crime are smuggled before it is integrated into the formal banking system. In that context, the phenomenon of Underground banking was researched. Currency smuggling, Hawala currency transfer schemes and the way in which it is used to move proceeds of crime were discussed in detail. Thereafter Formal banking and the way in which proceeds of crime is reintegrated from underground banking structures into formal banking systems were discussed. The use of advanced accounting software to trace the point where proceeds of crime are reintegrated into formal banking were researched extensively. Accounting software and investigative techniques on how to trace financial transactions which might be tainted with proceeds of crime were discussed. Accounting software which can be used on office computers such as laptops were discussed and more advanced automated systems which can be used to trace proceeds of crime transactions in the formal banking systems were also discussed. In specific, the investigative techniques on how to use these systems as investigative tools were discussed in great detail. This research paper gives a truly unique perspective on the financial investigative and analytical angle on proceeds of crime and money laundering detection. / Criminal Justice / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)