How Not to Get Prosecuted (or sued) - A Legal Survival Guide for Accountants
Accountants work inside South Africa’s legal system every day, often without realising where legal risk starts. This session helps SMP practitioners understand the parts of the legal system that affect their work, so they can protect their practice, avoid disputes, and prevent costly mistakes.
What will set you apart
By completing this course you will gain the following competencies
- Learn how to identify potential legal risks early
- Understand the boundaries of their professional responsibility
- Know when an issue should be referred to a lawyer
- Work with greater confidence in their day-to-day practice
- Avoid unnecessary legal and compliance issues
- Protect their fees, professional reputation, and overall practice
Event breakdown
- Why accountants face legal risk without always realising it
- How the legal system affects everyday accounting work
- Where South African laws come from and why they matter
- How the court system works in simple terms
- The difference between accounting advice and legal advice
- Common legal problems accountants run into
- When and how to escalate issues safely
Description
Most accountants only think about the legal system when something goes wrong — a client dispute, a contract problem, or a decision that suddenly turns into a legal issue. By that stage, the risk is already real.
This session gives a clear, practical introduction to the South African legal system, written specifically for SMP owners and practitioners. It explains how the legal system works, how laws affect businesses, and how legal processes connect to everyday accounting and advisory work.
The focus is on real situations accountants face. You will learn where accounting advice ends, where legal risk begins, and how to protect yourself when clients push for answers outside your role. The aim is not to turn accountants into lawyers, but to help them work safely, confidently, and within proper professional boundaries.
Presenters
Heynes Kotze — Heynes Kotze is the Head of Legal Services at CIBA and an admitted attorney of the High Court with rights of appearance in the superior courts. With extensive experience in litigation and legal advisory roles, Heynes specialises in guiding professionals through complex regulatory compliance (including FIC requirements) before issues arise. He is known for his creative problem-solving, helping firms turn compliance challenges into practical opportunities for growth.
You will earn a certificate
On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 2 CPD units in Other.
Requirements
- Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
- Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser