Financial advisory for distressed businesses
Presenters : Caryn Maitland CA(SA)
Overview
Financial distress is one of the most critical challenges businesses face, often threatening survival, stakeholder confidence, and compliance with statutory requirements. Accountants play a pivotal role in guiding organisations through these turbulent periods by providing sound financial advisory services that balance business continuity with legal and ethical obligations. From recognising early warning signs to navigating complex restructuring and recovery strategies, accountants are central to ensuring that distressed businesses make informed decisions that protect both value and compliance.
Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) as she explores the essential advisory tools, regulatory frameworks, and professional responsibilities that accountants must master to effectively support distressed businesses.
Learning objectives
Attending this webinar will equip you with the following competencies:
-
Understand the warning signs and indicators of financial distress.
-
Learn the key advisory tools available to accountants in restructuring, turnaround, and recovery scenarios.
-
Gain insight into compliance obligations under the Companies Act, insolvency law, and tax regulations when advising distressed businesses.
-
Strengthen their ability to guide clients through cash flow forecasting, debt restructuring, and stakeholder negotiations.
-
Appreciate the ethical and professional responsibilities accountants face when advising distressed entities.
Content
The webinar will cover the following topics:
-
Introduction to Business Distress
-
Defining financial distress: liquidity vs solvency problems
-
Early warning indicators (financial ratios, covenant breaches, creditor pressure)
-
-
Legal & Regulatory Framework
-
Companies Act requirements (Sections 129–134 on business rescue)
-
Insolvency law considerations
-
SARS obligations for distressed companies (tax returns, VAT arrears, penalties)
-
Directors’ fiduciary duties in distress situations
-
-
Advisory Tools for Accountants
-
Short-term liquidity management (cash flow forecasting, working capital management)
-
Debt restructuring and renegotiating with creditors
-
Evaluating financing options (equity injections, rescue finance)
-
Business rescue vs liquidation – practical implications
-
-
Turnaround & Recovery Planning
-
Strategic options for distressed businesses
-
Cost reduction and operational efficiency
-
Asset realisation and divestments
-
Stakeholder communication and management
-
-
Professional & Ethical Considerations
-
Independence and conflicts of interest in advisory roles
-
Transparency, confidentiality, and disclosure requirements
-
Ethical guidance from the IFAC Code of Ethics and SAICA Code
-
-
Practical Case Studies
-
Advising SMEs in cash flow crisis
-
Navigating SARS arrears and creditor negotiations
-
Lessons from failed vs successful turnarounds
-
