Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a panel of qualified and experienced professionals to provide tax practitioners/specialists and financial advisory services to Nkomazi SEZ for a period of three years. The appointed panel will support NSEZ in ensuring compliance with tax legislation, enhancing financial governance, supporting audit processes, and strengthening internal controls.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Tax Compliance Services: Preparation, review, and submission of VAT, PAYE, Income Tax returns; maintaining tax profiles; monitoring statutory deadlines.
• Tax Advisory and Planning: Advising on complex tax matters, tax planning, interpretation of legislation, and SARS regulatory changes.
• Audit Support Services: Preparing audit-ready files, supporting external audits, responding to queries, implementing audit action plans, reviewing financial statements related to tax, and identifying audit risks.
• Financial Advisory Services: Financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, governance, and management reporting related to tax matters.
• Payroll and Employee Tax Compliance: PAYE, UIF, SDL compliance, payroll reconciliations, and employee tax advisory.
• SARS Liaison and Dispute Resolution: Acting as liaison with SARS, managing audits, queries, disputes, objections, and appeals.
• SETA and Statutory Compliance Advisory: Advising on Skills Development Levy, SETA reporting, and labour regulations.
• Governance and Compliance Support: Supporting PFMA and Treasury compliance, internal controls, and financial risk mitigation.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer: Training, audit readiness, and skills transfer to NSEZ officials.
• Ad-Hoc and Specialised Services: Urgent assignments, forensic support, and other related services as required.

Technical Requirements

Proposed service providers must demonstrate:

• Compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, including SARS registration and tax compliance status.
• Availability of qualified personnel with relevant experience and professional registration (e.g., SAICA, SAIPA, SARS Tax Practitioner).
• Experience in tax advisory, financial reporting, audit support, and working with public sector entities, especially PFMA compliance.
• Capacity to deliver services on an as-and-when-required basis, with response times aligned to NSEZ needs.
• Adherence to confidentiality, professionalism, and NSEZ policies.

Skills Requirements

Applicants must possess:

• Qualified professionals with relevant certifications (e.g., SAICA, SAIPA, SARS Tax Practitioner registration).
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in tax advisory, financial management, or related fields.
• Proven track record in tax compliance, audit support, and financial advisory services, particularly within the public sector or PFMA entities.
• Strong understanding of SARS legislation, tax regulations, and government procurement processes.
• Effective communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Capacity to provide capacity building and knowledge transfer to NSEZ staff.