Overview   

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.  

Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) on 23 August 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. as she discusses your rights and obligations regarding third party access to your client's working papers. 

Learning objectives  

By the end of this webinar the participant 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.  

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Working papers ownership? 

• The client's right to confidentiality. 

• 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. 

• When and how to deny access to working papers.  

• Potential risks regarding access.  

• Policies and procedures regarding access: 

  • Engagement letters.  

  • Client authorisation letters. 

  • Third party acknowledgements. 

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

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

• Latest publications and notices on access to working papers. 

Obtaining your CPD certificate 

This webinar qualifies for 2 CPD hours with your professional body including: ACCA, SAICA, AAT, SAIPA, SAIBA, IAC, CIS, ICBA, LSSA, FPI, and the IBA. The SAAA CPD policy is compliant with IFAC IES7 and is recognised by all relevant professional bodies. 

All attendees are issued with a CPD certificate available in an online profile. 

About the presenter 

Caryn Maitland CA(SA) 

Caryn Maitland is a Chartered Accountant (SA). She has been a member of IRBA as a registered auditor and accountant since 2002 and is also a registered member of SAICA. 

Caryn has lectured Auditing and Accounting at various institutions and has conducted independent workshops and seminars for professional accountants since 2006 on various topics.  

Caryn has presented on the national tour for the annual Legislation Update with ProBeta Training (Pty) Ltd in 2014 and 2015, as well as on the FASSET national tour for the Tax Administration Act in 2014.  She is also involved with the annual SAICA SMP Technical tour. 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Professional Accountants including: RA(SA), CA(SA), PA(SA) and BAP(SA). 

• Accounting officers. 

• Trainee accountants. 

Price              

• R 475.00 - Online admission - Individual. 

• R 950.00 - Online admission - Company. 

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar.