Accountancy Practice Business for sale in South Africa

Confirm each signing auditor's IRBA registration and that assurance work is conducted through a registered audit firm. Review firm status, inspection findings, independence conflicts and whether the buyer can lawfully accept every existing engagement.

Verify that individuals providing tax advice or completing returns for clients are registered with both SARS and a recognised controlling body. Check current status, disciplinary matters and dependency on any practitioner who may leave after completion.

Usually not without following engagement and privacy requirements. Review assignment, termination and consent provisions, then obtain orderly client acceptance or novation and plan communications that protect confidentiality, service continuity and the seller's professional obligations.

Classify records by engagement, retention duty and sensitivity. Confirm the lawful basis, notices, access controls and secure transfer method under POPIA, while preserving audit trails and ensuring former clients can obtain records they are entitled to.

Reconcile engagement letters, monthly ledgers, time records, invoices and bank receipts by client and service. Analyse retention, discounts, write-offs, work in progress and debtor ageing, separating recurring compliance work from once-off advisory assignments.

Review complaints, disciplinary matters, missed deadlines, tax penalties, audit findings and notified claims. Check professional-indemnity cover, retroactive dates and run-off arrangements, then allocate responsibility for work performed before completion and later discovered errors.