Discusses the development of a real-time finance management system (RFMS) computer application. RFMS lets users learn about and manage their personal finances and stock portfolio. Finances can be managed using management tools and calculators. The program uses a Java/XML based approach where real-time market data from different stock exchanges is fetched and displayed for the user. Stock performance can then be graphed.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: After many years of speculation about the possible introduction of a capital gains tax in South Africa, the tax is finally with us. Coming on top of the move to a residence basis of taxation, the introduction of the capital gains tax will impose a massive burden on the limited, skilled administrative recourses available to taxpayers and the SARS alike. Amongst investors and even some professional financial advisors such as auditors and attorneys there still is confusion and not a lack of knowledge on CGT. Appropriate planning and structuring is seldom performed. The potential CGT liability escalates every year depending on the growth rate of the particular asset. CGT will therefor be an unavoidable and growing problem for investors. Planning for the CGT goes hand in hand with estate planning and requires decisions to be taken now. The purpose is to position and structure your portfolio to avoid or reduce future tax liability (CGT and estate duty). In this study an Excel program was developed in order to calculate CGT. The model (Estate Advisor) also has a decision function and can calculate and predict future CGT liability. The purpose of the model is to test the result of a range of decisions and assumptions quickly and accurately. This enables the investor to decide on entities and structures that would best suit his situation given the assets under his control. The Estate Advisor is a tool for producing different scenarios of future situations regarding CGT and estate duty. It helps the investor to investigate and consider different options regarding his investments with regard to CGT. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na baie jare van onsekerheid en gissings omtrent die moontlike implementering van Kapitaalwinsbelasting in Suid-Afrika, is hierdie belasting finaal geïmplementeer deur die SAID. Die implementering van KWB val saam met die verskuiwing na "verblyf' as "bron" van inkomstebelasting. Tesame sal dit groot druk uitoefen op die beperkte administratiewe bronne wat aan die belasingbetaler en die SAID beskikbaar is. Tussen gewone beleggers en selfs ook tussen sommige professionele finansiële adviseurs (ouditeure en prokureurs) heers daar in 'n groot mate onsekerheid en onkundigheid met betrekking tot KWB. Die probleem is dat 'n ferm basis van kennis van KWB benodig word om in staat te wees om die berekeninge te doen. 'n Gevolg van hierdie situasie is dat dringend benodigde aandag nie altyd aan beleggers geskenk word nie. Die potensiële KWB aanspreeklikheid eskaleer elke jaar met die betrokke groeikoers van die onderliggende bate. KWB is dus 'n onafwendbare en groeiende realiteit vir beleggers. Die beplanning vir toekomstige KWB gaan hand aan hand met beplanning vir boedelbelasting doeleindes. Die doel is om die belegger se portefeulje te posisioneer en struktureer sodat toekomstige belastingaanspreeklikheid (KWB en boedelbelasting) beperk kan word. In hierdie tesis is 'n eenvoudige Excel model ontwerp om KWB en boedelbelasting te bereken. Die model doen al die berekeninge en haal dus die las van die belegger af om oor detail kennis van KWB te beskik. Die model (Estate Advisor) het ook 'n besluitnemingsfunksie waar die belegger verskillende opsies kan oorweeg en toets. Die model word gebruik om toekomstige KWB te voorspel en bereken. Dit stel die belegger in staat om besluite te maak omtrent entiteite en strukture wat in sy situasie die gepaste antwoord sal wees. Die model moet nie gesien word as 'n instrument om beleggingsbesluite te neem nie en dit kan nie keuses uitoefen tussen verskillende beleggingsbates nie. Die doel van die model is uitsluitlik om die effek van verskillende besluite en aannames te vinnig en akkuraat te bereken. Dit dien as hulpmiddel vir die beplan van KWB en boedelbelasting wat in die toekoms betaal moet word. Die Estate Advisor is 'n instrument vir die produsering van verskillende scenarios van toekomstige situasies met betrekking tot KWB en boedelbelasting. Dit help die belegger om verskillende opsies te oorweeg en die beste beleggingsbesluit te maak.