Get Licensed.
Get Recognised. Get Paid.
Your CBAP gives you authority. Specialist licences and readiness programmes unlock even more work, and higher-value clients
Why This Matters
Not every accountant can sign every report. Some work needs extra training and a licence. CIBA shows you what you can do as a CBAP, and what licences unlock more services.
CBAP vs. CBAP(Specialist Licence)
CBAP
You’re an Accounting Officer (Close Corporations Act) and a Tax Compiler (SARS). You can compile financials, act as Accounting Officer, and submit tax returns.
CBAP (Specialist Licence)
You unlock authority to do more:
Independent Reviews (Companies Act)
Tax Advisory (Tax Administration Act)
Business Rescue (Companies Act, CIPC)
Immigration Accountant reports (Immigration Act)
Sector-specific compliance sign-offs (NPOs, Schools, Lotteries, BBBEE, etc.)
Short Courses That Unlock Work
You want to grow your practice, but the law blocks you until you’re licensed. We give you the courses and pathways to open new services.
Tax Compliance (Compiler): compulsory for submitting tax returns.
Tax Advisory (Practitioner): required to give tax advice or represent clients at SARS.
Independent Review: unlocks limited assurance work for SMEs under the Companies Act.
Business Rescue: become a CIPC-registered practitioner.
Immigration Accountant: issue financial reports for visa and residency applications.
Professional Readiness & Ethics
Before you practice, you must prove you’re ready.
Professional Readiness Programme: required for all CBAPs before offering public services.
Annual Ethics Assessment: show clients and regulators that you’re fit, ethical, and current every year.
Statutes That Empower You
Your right to sign reports comes from the law, not just a title. These are some of the statutes that give CBAPs authority.
Close Corporations Act (SA & Namibia): Accounting Officer reports.
Companies Act (71 of 2008): Independent Review reports.
Tax Administration Act: Registered Tax Practitioner through CIBA as RCB.
Immigration Act (13 of 2002): Financial reports for visa applications.
NPO Act, Schools Act, Trust Property Control Act, Lotteries Act, BBBEE Act: Compliance and funding reports.
Construction Industry Development Board Act, Broadcasting Act, Co-ops Act, Fund-Raising Act: Sector-specific compliance.
Why It Matters for You
Expand your service offering → more income streams.
Protect your clients by staying fully compliant.
Stand out as a licensed Chartered professional.
Grow your practice from basic bookkeeping to regulated assurance and advisory work.
Don’t leave Money on the table
Licences unlock higher-value work. CIBA makes it fast and clear.
Already licensed? Track your CPD and ethics assessment in the Member Hub.
FAQ’s
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No. You only need to register a practice if you want to sign off as a practice entity (such as an Incorporated, Close Corporation, or Personal Liability Company). If you are a sole proprietor signing in your personal capacity, you do not need to register a separate practice.
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You must register a practice if you wish to sign off as an entity on Compilations, Independent Reviews, Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUPs), or Close Corporation Accounting Officer Reports.
Example:
XYZ Inc.
CIBA Practice Number: P12345This is typically used by firms where more than one member practices together or signs reports on behalf of the same entity.
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Yes. If you operate as a sole proprietor, you sign off in your personal capacity using your CIBA membership number, not a practice number.
Example:
Joe Soap CBAP
CIBA Membership Number: M12345 -
You may use your (Pty) Ltd for billing, marketing, and general business purposes. However, you cannot sign off Compilations, Independent Reviews, AUPs, or Accounting Officer Reports under your (Pty) Ltd’s name.
All professional sign-offs must be done in your personal capacity as a CIBA member, or under a registered practice (Inc/CC/PLC). -
Type of Sign-off - Entity (Inc/CC/PLC)
Who Signs - Registered Practice
Example - XYZ Inc – CIBA Practice Number: P12345
Registration Required - Yes
Type of Sign-off - Individual (Natural Person)
Who Signs - Sole Proprietor
Example - Leana van der Merwe CBAP – CIBA Membership Number: M12345
Registration Required - No
Type of Sign-off - (Pty) Ltd
Who Signs - Business Vehicle (for billing only)
Example - ABC (Pty) Ltd
Registration Required - Cannot sign reports