Management accounts still OK for BEE verifications?

“My manufacturing business has been growing steadily and I expect it will go above the R50 million turnover mark this financial year. That said, its not a given, and I’m hesitant to spend on BEE planning before I’m sure we will go over this mark. Will I be able to first wrap up the financial year and thereafter do the necessary BEE expenditure and verify the business using management accounts for the first quarter after the financial year-end?”

In August 2020, the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) issued a communication to B-BBEE verification agencies that measured entities shall not be permitted to conduct a B-BBEE audit using management accounts outside of their financial period. SANAS also encourages the use of financial statements rather than management accounts. 

However, given that a company’s financial audit may only be completed some time after their financial year-end and there could be urgency in obtaining a BEE certificate, a company would be allowed to use management accounts for the same period as their financial year for purposes of undergoing a BEE verification. 

So, to answer your question. You will not be allowed to verify using management accounts that fall in the period after your financial year. If a verification agency does allow this, which would be highly unlikely, you run the risk that should SANAS pick up this non-compliance, your BEE certificate could be cancelled.

Our advice is to rather conduct proper BEE planning now, an exercise that should in any event be conducted well in advance of your financial year-end, and in that planning evaluate the various scenarios for if your turnover fails to exceed/does exceed the R50 million turnover mark. With some careful planning and with the help of your BEE consultant you should be able to prepare for both scenarios and not run the risk of a poor BEE certificate due to inadequate planning.

September 14, 2021
Customary and Civil marriages are equal, says Constitutional Court

Customary and Civil marriages are equal, says Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court has recently delivered a significant judgment reaffirming that customary marriages and civil marriages hold equal legal status. Importantly, the Court clarified the implications and validity of antenuptial contracts within the context of customary marriages.

CSOS or Court? The choice is yours

CSOS or Court? The choice is yours

The recent judgment in Parch Properties 72 (Pty) Ltd v Summervale Lifestyle Estate Owner’s Association and Others 2026 (1) SA 449 (SCA) (17 October 2025) has brought welcome clarity to the long‑standing question of whether the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act 9 of 2011 (CSOS Act) limits the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Hurt feelings ≠ Constructive dismissal

Hurt feelings ≠ Constructive dismissal

Constructive dismissal was incorporated into South African labour law in the 1980s and later codified in the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (“LRA”). In terms of section 186(1)(e) of the LRA, an employee may resign, whether with or without notice, and claim unfair dismissal on the basis that their continued employment had become intolerable. Although the concept can be difficult to apply in practice, the Constitutional Court has clarified its meaning and reaffirmed its role within our law.

Sign up to our newsletter

Pin It on Pinterest