BDO South Africa

An Africa desk for investors

The firm runs an Africa desk for companies investing on the continent, and it publishes guidance on the issues that can affect a business when it invests in Africa. Its audit and assurance work includes an information hub for non-executive directors, which gives board members a place to find governance material and practical support. The firm's guidance on the African investment environment is written as a resource for investors weighing the continent's specific risks.

Business services outsourcing in detail

Business services outsourcing ranges from daily accounting and routine processing to annual accounting, financial reporting and advisory. It includes fully managed payroll, a service called Tax smart, independent reviews and finance and accounting technology, which the firm offers so clients can run their books with the right tools. Specialist accounting covers trusts, wealth management, legal matters and business rescue, where a practitioner familiar with recovery is needed. Company secretarial and corporate finance work sit alongside these services.

Tax, research and the BDO Academy

The tax practice covers corporate and individual tax compliance, international tax, transfer pricing, VAT and customs, along with a service for individual, trust and estate tax and a global employer services offer. Research output covers banking, higher education, the automotive sector, telecoms risk and renewable energy. Its BDO Academy, which the firm says carries dual ACCA accreditation, provides learning intended to build professional capability and long-term career growth.

Advisory services across the firm

The advisory practice covers B-BBEE verification services, business restructuring, company secretarial work, corporate finance, cyber security, forensic work, management and risk advice, and sustainability reporting on environmental, social and governance matters. Digital and wealth advisory sit alongside. The firm lists specialist accounting for trusts and business rescue under its outsourcing services, and its public sector practice covers external and internal audit work for government bodies.

BDO South Africa is a professional services firm offering audit and assurance, tax, advisory and business outsourcing. It also runs an Africa desk for companies investing in the continent, and a training academy with ACCA accreditation.

What BDO South Africa does

• Audit and assurance: independent audit work and a hub of information for non-executive directors.
• Tax: corporate and individual tax, international tax, transfer pricing, VAT and customs.
• Advisory: B-BBEE verification, business restructuring, corporate finance, cyber security, forensics and risk advisory.
• Business services outsourcing: daily and annual accounting, managed payroll and independent reviews.
• Sustainability advice: support on environmental, social and governance matters.

Customers and markets

The firm publishes research reports on sectors such as banking, higher education, automotive, telecommunications and renewable energy, which shows where much of its client work sits.

Key facts

• Country: South Africa
• Training: an academy with dual ACCA accreditation
• Special desk: Africa desk for cross-border investment