Find the best accountants


Where do you need
an accountant expert?


Top accountants near you

Browse the best accountants and compare ratings and reviews.


Fenns Cape Town is a Charted Accountant & Auditors firm with over 10 years experience in the field. We specialise in providing specific accounting related services to small to medium-sized...

As Henmuch Consulting we offer Payroll Administration services and Accounting services. We are committed to taking the burden away from you so that you focus on strategic management of your...

Pro Investments provides accountant services in Rosebank, Western Cape and surrounding suburbs.

YourCFO. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? It tells the world you’re successful enough to employ high-calibre financial resources. And it tells you that you have personal...

About Us TBM Accounting is a Virtual Accounting Firm that specializes in Small Business Accounting and Tax Services. We are based in Cape Town with a clientele spread across South...

Who we are Kandailal Financial Group is an authorised financial services provider providing a wide range of products and services including risk and investments products, legal services, tax advice and...




Hire the best accountant

Search Uptasker for the top accountants and bookkeepers - read and compare ratings and reviews


Why do I need an accountant?

If one likens a company or business to a human body, the accountant may be seen as the circulatory system, ensuring that the financial resources are controlled and available as needed in order for the company to survive and profit. As such, an accountant is vital to the smooth running of the company.

Qualifications of an accountant

An accountant is, by definition, more than a bookkeeper (see Uptasker’s articles on Bookkeepers for information). He (or she) has obtained a B.Com Accounting degree or an equivalent CA(SA) undergraduate qualification at a SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) accredited university. Once the degree has been completed, it is necessary to complete the Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA), which focuses on Accounting, Auditing, Financial Management and Taxation.

The accountant then enters into a 3-year on-site apprenticeship and practical training period in a Registered Training Office (RTO) if planning to specialise in auditing, or an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) in order to specialise in financial management. This qualifies the accountant to accurately assess and control all financial matters through the keeping of detailed financial records, including the provision of advice and guidance relating to financial matters. There is a difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant, in that only an accountant is qualified to sign off annual accounts and present these to the external auditors for review.

Types of accountant

An accountant may be permanently employed by a small company, business or organisation, or be part of the team of a large national or international corporation. Alternatively, an accountant may be employed as and when needed in the case of smaller companies or businesses which do not have high financial turnovers and therefore do not need a permanent full-time accountant. Self-employed accountants are an ideal solution for small enterprises, as they are able to assist when needed, but are not permanent employees which smaller businesses cannot afford.

In addition, there are external specialised forensic accountants who are independently appointed to look into possible financial irregularities or suspected fraud in companies. Such accountants are highly skilled and experienced in laws relating to financial affairs.

Accountant’s duties

An accountant is responsible for all matters relating to the financial affairs of the organisation for which he or she works. Although there may be more junior clerical staff working under the accountant, it is the accountant’s responsibility to ensure that all matters of finance are accurate, up-to-date, in line with legal requirements, open to scrutiny and above reproach.

The accountant is tasked with ensuring that management is kept informed of the financial affairs of the company, and will provide advice and guidance when needed. He is given the overall responsibility of ensuring that creditors are paid timeously, and that debtors settle their accounts as agreed, thereby ensuring a steady flow of income into the company.

The accountant is also responsible for ensuring that the company’s employees are paid correctly and on time. The accountant is an integral and vital member of any business, for many reasons.

Choosing the right accountant

Check their reputation and online reviews

Accountants who form part of the permanent workforce are selected with extreme care, bearing in mind their qualifications, skills and experience. However, for those smaller businesses which choose to use an external accountant, it is wise to appoint an accountant who has an excellent reputation.

Whilst accountants can and do widely advertise their services, it is advisable to find out if they are well known, how long they have been in operation, whether they are reliable and affordable for your particular needs, and, if available, who else they are working for. Make use of a reliable and informative resource such as Uptasker where possible to check their reviews and range of services.




Top accounting tips

Top accounting tips

Even small businesses will find the services of an accountant invaluable, especially when it comes to taxation matters, collecting debtors’ payments and preparing annual accounts for inspection by the auditors (if you have a (Pty) Ltd company). A bookkeeper can assist you to a large degree, but an accountant is your safe haven at the end of the financial year.

For more tips, see our accountant articles.


Read Accountant articles






More accountants near you

Browse more accountants and compare ratings and reviews.


Catto Young & Lester Inc. provides accounting, auditing, company secretarial, taxation and wealth administration services to individuals, trusts and to small and medium sized enterprises operating throughout KwaZulu-Natal on an...

Services ✔ accountants - inc.member of acca, saipa, cima, saica

EpicCo is a specialised accounting practice providing our clients with tailored outsourced accounting solutions. Our experience, excellent reputation and innovative approach to technology are all factors that make us the...

Bookkeeping, tax and related services for your small to medium business enterprise.... Bayside Accounting will provide your small to medium business enterprise with bookkeeping and financial services, tax compliance and...

Services: accountants, accounting firm, chartered accountants, business consulting services, business consulting, bookkeeping, tax registration, tax advice, tax audit, business evaluation, auditing services

Tree Top Accountants (Pty) Ltd was established in 2018 by Renier Botha and Associates to provide an online platform for upcoming businesses. Renier Botha & Associates is a medium sized...

Umhlanga KZN
African Venture Group is a firm of business and consulting professionals, specialising in advisory services, assurance, corporate solutions, financial accounting, public sector and corporate restructuring services, including turnarounds, performance improvement...

Fenns Incorporated is a South Africa-wide accounting and auditing firm built on principles of professionalism and integrity; committed to the sustainable evolution and development of our staff and clients. We...

FBG Accounting & Tax services (FBG) is an accounting and tax advisory practice based in Cape Town. The firm is dedicated to assist companies, non-profit organisations and individuals with a...

Our firm commenced practice on 1 April 1984. We practice from our premises at Y. D. Maharaj House, 161 Mathews Road, Durban and have a staff compliment of twenty two....

Winner Portfolio provides accountant services in Cosmo City, Gauteng and surrounding suburbs.

Your Affordable Bookkeeping and Accounting Experts Faber Bookkeeping and Accounting specialises in: - Payroll Services: leave management, payslips, monthly EMP201 submissions, bi-annual EMP501 submissions and monthly payroll reports. - Bookkeeping...