WORKING WITH CREATIONS
Start with a clear scope. Keep the work visible.
A useful engagement sets out the work, the people responsible and the information needed from both sides. Here is what to establish before work begins and how to keep the assignment on track.
1. Explain the requirement
Tell us about your business, the service you need and any approaching deadline. Mention outstanding returns, incomplete records or a change in ownership or systems at the start.
- Entities and tax types involved
- Current software and the last completed reporting period
- The decision, submission or report you need
- Any SARS or CIPC correspondence and response dates
2. Agree the work and fees
The proposal should distinguish routine work from cleanup, migration or a specialist assignment. Confirm the deliverables, reporting frequency, costs, exclusions and how additional work will be authorised.
Identify the person handling the engagement, review responsibilities, your approvals and the access needed. A date dependent on an external authority should be explained as a dependency, not an approval promise.
3. Provide records and answer queries
Use the agreed document-sharing and access arrangements. Keep source records organised by period, and nominate someone who can explain unusual transactions and approve changes.
- Provide the records for the agreed period
- Identify missing information instead of guessing
- Approve the relevant figures or filings before release
- Keep confirmations and correspondence with the engagement records
4. Review outputs and next steps
Review the agreed reports, reconciliations or filing confirmations. Ask what remains unresolved, which assumptions were used and what needs your decision.
For ongoing work, agree the next document cutoff and review date. If transaction volume, entities or reporting needs change, review the scope before extra work accumulates.
See what affects accounting feesDiscuss your requirements.
Start with the work you need and the decisions it should support.