Would you like MyLawyer to contact you? Please complete the fields below.

Category: Certificates

AGA (SA) – Relevance, enhanced recognition and status for accountants

January 21, 2019 / / Comments Off on AGA (SA) – Relevance, enhanced recognition and status for accountants

The journey to reach the Chartered Accountant South Africa CA(SA) designation has been described as one of the most difficult career paths in South Africa. With the professional accounting body, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), being established as one of the best in the world, and providing the highest of standards and excess of opportunities once reached, it is understandably so.

To become a CA(SA), a 3-year degree and honours degree is required, as well as a 3-year training contract, in layman’s terms referred to as “articles” (this might differ depending on studying while performing articles or the level of studies when starting). A trend has been occurring amongst hopefuls on this path, where studies and articles are started, but for various reasons, the honours part of the qualification is not completed. This results in a qualified accountant without a professional title or association to a professional body.

SAICA has recognised the need for qualified accountants to belong to a professional body, and therefore the establishment of the Associate General Accountant South Africa   AGA(SA) designation.

With the establishment of the AGA(SA) designation, it allows a significant number of exceptionally-qualified South African accountants to gain access to professional recognition and career development through association with a highly-regarded professional body.

AGA(SA) provides many similarities to that of the CA(SA) designation. As AGA’s are recognised members of SAICA, they must apply to the same code of conduct. Thereby reassuring the public of the integrity of AGAs and suggesting a certain quality of work that can be expected.

Requirements:

  • A SAICA-accredited B.Com degree
  • A SAICA-accredited training contract

AGAs can:

  • Compile financial statements
  • Perform and sign off of independent reviews for companies with a public interest score below 100
  • Register as tax practitioners and assist with tax compilation and planning
  • Design and operate internal accounting systems
  • Provide management with information that enables them to plan, monitor and control their business
  • Communicate information effectively
  • Act as a commissioner of oaths

AGA(SA) benefits:

  • Access to SAICA products and services
  • A subscription to the ASA Magazine
  • Access to CPD
  • Invitations to SAICA seminars and events
  • Access to SAICA Member Services
  • Receive SAICA Newsletters

 

The relaunch of the AGA designation is a great asset to the public and a very useful alternative for those individuals who don’t necessarily become chartered accountants, giving recognition where it is due. The designation continues to grow in potential, membership and career recognition.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)

Registering deaths and death certificate requirements in South Africa

May 5, 2015 / / Comments Off on Registering deaths and death certificate requirements in South Africa

A2BMany South African citizens do not know the correct procedures to follow in order to register a death, or how to obtain a death certificate and by whom, until it is too late. Coming to terms with a death is difficult enough without having to enquire about the legal processes that are necessary in the circumstances in order to proceed with funeral arrangements and other family affairs.

The Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992 outlines the simple requirements and procedures to be followed upon the death of a South African citizen.

The Births and Deaths Registration Act no. 51 of 1992 requires that a person’s death must be reported to any one of the following people authorised by The Department of Home Affairs. Specific officers at the Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service members, South African Missions, Embassy’s or Consulates where the death occurred abroad or funeral undertakers that have been appointed and are recognised by law.

A Notification of Death or Still Birth Form (Form BI-1663) must be completed when reporting a death. This form, along with all other forms that may be necessary are available from all Home Affairs offices. The following people have to complete different sections of this form in order for it to be submitted: the person reporting the death, the medical practitioner or traditional healer involved in the declaration of the death, and a Home Affairs official or a member of the Police service if a Home Affairs official is not available.

A Death Report (Form BI-1680) will be issued after a death has been registered with one of the relevant department officials. Only someone whom the Department of Home Affairs has authorised to do so can issue this report and this includes traditional leaders, members of the SA Police Services and authorised undertakers.

These designated people may also issue burial orders. No burial may take place unless authorised by way of a burial order (Form BI-14).

Deaths of South African citizens and South African permanent residence permit holders that occur outside South Africa must be reported to the nearest South African embassy or mission abroad. The country in which the death occurs must issue a death certificate and a certified copy of the death certificate must be submitted to the South African embassy or mission when reporting a death. If the deceased is to be buried in South Africa, the embassy or mission will assist with the paperwork and arrangements with regards to transportation of the body to South Africa.

The Department of Home Affairs will issue a Death Certificate on receipt of the notification of death form BI-1663 and the Death Report form BI-1680. Applications for a Death Certificate must be lodged at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or at any South African embassy, mission or consulate if the death occurs abroad. An abridged death certificate will be issued free of charge on the same day of registration of death. An unabridged death certificate can be obtained by completing Form BI-132 and paying the required fee.

If a person has been recorded, mistakenly or fraudulently, as dead in the National Population Register, (i.e. they are still alive); this must be reported as soon as possible to the nearest Department of Home Affairs office for urgent investigation and corrective action.

Chapter 3 (Section 14 to 22) of the Births and Death’s Registration Act regulates all matters pertaining to the Registrations of Deaths in South Africa and regulations on how to obtain a Death Certificate. The Act provides for the different procedures to be followed when a death is due to natural causes, stillbirth or other methods. This process is simple to follow and the appointed officials at Home Affairs Departments are fully equipped to process registrations and to answer any questions you may have.

Reference List:

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice

© 2025

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑