SARS’ Access to Working Papers

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

By the end of this event the attendee should:  

• • Understand who has ownership to clients’ working papers;
  • Understand their rights and obligations when granting access to working papers;
  • Know circumstances where access to working papers is required by law;
  • Know circumstances where access to working papers is in compliance with reporting standards; and
  • Understand potential risks when granting third parties access to working papers. 

DESCRIPTION

Accountants, auditors and accounting officers do not have exclusive rights to their working papers!

There are third parties who have the right of access to these practitioners’ working papers, depending on the circumstances of course. It is increasingly becoming common for third parties like SARS, CIPC and professional bodies to ask for working papers. Other third parties include SAPS, the Hawks and clients’ attorneys.

What are the accountant’s or auditor’s rights and obligations when a third party knocks on the door requesting to see their working papers? What is lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair? 

This webinar discusses how one can protect their client’s working papers from unwarranted access and also explains under what conditions working papers have to be handed over. 

PRICE

The following pricing apply:

Ad hoc: R475 for this webinar
Subscription: Included for free in Accountant in Practice plus Tax, Accountant in Practice and Bookkeeper package.

CONTENT

Study Unit 1

Working papers ownership? 

Study Unit 2

The client’s right to confidentiality. 

Study Unit 3

When to grant access to third parties:

• Professional body compliance requirements.
• Required in terms of legislation e.g POPIA and the Tax Administration Act
• As required by SAPS, the Hawks, CIPC, SARS or foreign jurisdictions. 
• Compliance with International Standards and Codes of Professional Conduct.
• As required by internal staff and successor practitioners.
• Required in terms of a contractual agreements.

Study Unit 4

When and how to deny access to working papers.  

Study Unit 5

Potential risks regarding access.

Study Unit 6

Policies and procedures regarding access:

• Engagement letters. 
• Client authorisation letters.
• Third party acknowledgements.

Study Unit 7

Extracts from sections 176, and 213 of the Companies Act, 2008. 

Study Unit 8

Extracts from sections 46 and 241 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011.  

Study Unit 9

Latest publications and notices on access to working papers. 

REQUIREMENTS

There are no preconditions for this course.
Moderate level.
Recorded webinar made available on a specified date

PRESENTER

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

By attending this webinar, you will be provided with:
– Summarised slide presentation.
– Reference documents and / or course material where available.
– Access to a technical knowledge base.
– Recorded webinar that includes an expert presenter and participant interaction.