Professional Services Suppliers in Johannesburg

Bookkeeping for an EME (turnover < R10m) runs R1,200–R4,500/month. Add VAT-201 returns: R300–R600 per filing. Year-end financials and tax: R6,000–R25,000 depending on complexity. SAICA-registered Chartered Accountants charge more than SAIPA Professional Accountants for the same scope — confirm the registration before agreeing fees.

No — SAICA, SAIPA, SAIT, and CIBA all have practising tax practitioners who can represent you before SARS under the Tax Administration Act. The SARS practitioner number (PR-) is what matters. For complex disputes or high-revenue audits, a CA(SA) with TPB recognition is the strongest choice. Check the SARS eFiling practitioner directory.

Attorneys are general practitioners and your first point of contact — they handle contracts, conveyancing, and most litigation. Advocates are court specialists briefed by attorneys for trials and appeals. Direct briefing of advocates (Trust Briefing) is allowed since 2014 but uncommon. Both fall under the Legal Practice Council (LPC).

Search the regulator's online register: SAICA (chartered accountants), SAIPA (professional accountants), LPC (attorneys & advocates), HPCSA (medical), SACPCMP (construction PMs), ECSA (engineers). All are free and authoritative. An unverifiable practitioner number is a red flag — most regulators publish disciplinary records too.