Remote assurance engagements – a new era of opportunity for SA accountants and auditors

If we remain objective, not all the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic were adverse. Work-from-home (WFH) has become a new norm for thousands of professionals in South Africa and abroad, with large professional services firms making this a permanent feature of the employment contracts of their employees.

The concept of ‘WFH’ coupled with ‘remote assurance engagements’, brings about possibilities not only within South Africa, with the development of what is commonly called “Zoom towns”, but has opened country borders for South African accountants and auditors like never before, enabling them to showcase our country’s magnificent talent in the international arena! Yes, it is possible to live in Graaff-Reinet and be involved in an assurance engagement in Johannesburg, or even New York City! All thanks to technology making the world but merely a global village, now more than ever before.

In this live CPD event, we think through the challenges of WFH (or ‘remote’) engagements, especially in assurance and related services. What are the common pitfalls to avoid? What are the challenges to keep in mind? How does one sustain a successful career working from home over the longer term? This is an extremely exciting development in our spheres and joining us for this session will also develop your proficiency in the following professional competencies:

o Specific competency: Digital affinity