Masters Degrees (School of Accountancy)

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    Robotics process automation : customer contact centre email management utilising uipath
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Khasoane, Paballo Joyce; Visser, Alwyn; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Accountancy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Customer contact centres have become at the forefront because of inevitable technological advancements, making many customers prefer to access services from the comfort of their own homes over travelling to do the work. The result has burdened contact centres with calls and emails that pile up and cause backlogs that are more difficult to manage with continuous inflow, as well as pressures to attract customers, sell services and products and provide the best customer experience in the process of retaining clients. This study considers the Robotics Process Automation (RPA) software implementation governance through the establishment of the framework with a clear cascade of governance on technological solutions adopted by organisations. The approaches considered for this study range from an Information Technology (IT) perspective to RPA application software, informed by governance standards and control frameworks adopted. Employing RPA technology, the study tackles challenges facing governance, including initiative-taking steps that warrant implementation of measures to ensure regulatory compliance, scalability, and auditability. The administration and deployment of RPA technology entails a complex network of relationships with various stakeholders, each of which has functions and interests, structures, and direction, thus necessitating comprehensive guidance. The desirable structures and directions were attained through an integrated RPA governance framework using the constructed RPA UiPath application software. RPA implementations and usage have been established to address the customer contact centre challenges with UiPath application software. According to the literature studied, UiPath is a leader in automation, providing solutions for harvesting processes, assuring process efficiency, and effectiveness. UiPath does not require programming capabilities, which is advantageous for resources management. UiPath major offering, Studio, and its elements, along with innovative technologies, have demonstrated that organizations' strategic objectives may be realized with their diverse robot offerings. Because of UiPath's unattended and hybrid robots, resources can be deployed to different roles, risk on daily duties can be mitigated through controlled access that UiPath robots are given, ensuring that they complete tasks that they are configured to do, and deliver around-the-clock service because robots do not tire. The systematic literature review technique, including a design science research strategy, have been used to categorise, identify, and separate contributors of a complete RPA governance framework in the context of customer contact centre email management from relevant literature. Also considered are the procedures required to create an adaptable, useable framework that mitigates RPA technology governance constraints. The rewards of an adaptable framework were discovered to be enabled by a well-defined implementation plan and appropriate alignment between business and IT operations, informed by Control Objectives for Information Technology (COBIT 19) and ISO/IEC 38500:2015 as governance standards. Because RPA technology requires no new infrastructure, though running on legacy systems managed by IT, and the technology's end-users are business operations personnel, clearly defined work processes, roles, and duties, need to be established and followed from the time RPA UiPath application software is acquired until it is decommissioned to ensure conformity by the whole organisation.
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    Dividend in specie : value-added tax implications and the resultant effect on dividends tax
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Cara, Prins; Andrea, Van der Merwe; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Accountancy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Section 64E(1)(a)(i) of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 (ITA) requires a company to calculate dividends tax by multiplying the amount of the dividend by 20%. Dividends tax is regulated in terms of provisions contained in the ITA, however dividends tax is a separate tax from income tax. Dividends are therefore treated differently in terms of income tax and dividends tax. The definition of ‘dividend’ in section 64D of the ITA, read with the definition of ‘dividend’ in section 1(1) of the ITA should be considered in determining whether a transaction should be treated as a dividend and whether dividends tax is applicable. A distribution other than in the form of cash, is referred to as a dividend in specie. In terms of section 64E(3)(b) of the ITA, where a company declares a dividend in specie, the amount of the dividend is deemed to be equal to the market value of the asset. Where there are value-added tax (VAT) implications in terms of the Value-Added Tax Act No. 89 of 1991 (VAT Act) upon declaration of a dividend in specie, it is not clear from current literature whether the VAT implication of the dividend in specie is included in the market value of the asset for dividends tax calculation purposes. The definition of ‘open market value’ in section 3(1)(b) of the VAT Act clarifies that, for the purposes of the VAT Act, ‘open market value’ includes value-added tax. In contrast to the definition of ‘open market value’ in the VAT Act, the definitions of ‘market value’ in the ITA do not provide clarity on whether the VAT implications of a dividend in specie should be considered when determining the market value of the asset for the purpose of calculating dividends tax on the dividend in specie. This research assignment therefore set out to determine whether the VAT implications of a dividend in specie should be included when determining the market value of the dividend in specie for dividends tax purposes. Additionally, it was also determined whether the output tax (if the VAT implications of a dividend in specie results in output tax levied) meets the definition of ‘dividend’ and whether dividends tax should be calculated on the amount of output tax. A doctrinal research methodology was followed in performing the research by using a methodical exposition of relevant literature. In addition to the definitions noted in South African tax legislation, South African and New Zealand case law provided guidance to determine whether the VAT implications of a dividend in specie have a resultant effect on the dividends tax calculation. This research assignment found that the distribution of an asset in specie does not lead to the same VAT implications where different assets are distributed in different scenarios as noted during the evaluation of the indicative factors. It was further found that if the VAT implications of a dividend in specie results in output tax levied, the VAT implications (i.e. output tax levied) would meet the definition of a dividend for dividends tax purposes and as a result, dividends tax is calculated on the VAT implications of a dividend in specie. The findings of this research assignment therefore suggest that the VAT implications, depending on the scenario, of a dividend in specie have a resultant effect on the dividends tax calculation.
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    Effective implementation and governance of association rules in credit scoring and default management
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Landy, Angelique; Rudman, Riaan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Accountancy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Advancements in technology and an increase in the availability of alternative consumer data enabled an evolution in credit risk modelling. The result being traditional credit scoring and default management procedures becoming redundant. Encapsulating the alternative dimensions into one credit score is challenging, but machine learning techniques are well positioned to facilitate more accurate and modern credit scoring. To effectively leverage alternative data to increase the accuracy, validity and completeness of credit scores and reduce default rates, association rule learning is suggested. The extraction of associations between various alternative data and credit risk factors facilitates credit providers to assess credit risk more accurately but also enables early detection of possible credit defaults. Effectively implementing new technology, such as association rule learning, is a complex process. Therefore, to effectively implement association rules the features and characteristics relevant to implementation thereof needs to be considered against the life cycle of system development. Fundamental to the successful implementation of association rule Learning is sufficient quality data, therefore making proper data governance essential. The objective of this research was to provide a framework for credit providers to use when implementing association rules for credit scoring and default management. The framework is in the form of an application checklist that focuses on how to implement an unsupervised machine learning algorithm effectively, purposely considering the data governance issues faced by credit providers when implementing it for credit scoring and default management. To define association rule implementation guidelines for credit scoring and default management, this research provides an understanding of the evolution in the credit industry, the underlying data considerations and enabling technologies of big data, machine learning and data mining. The study further considers both the data governance and system development life cycle to identify applicable considerations relevant to implementing association rules for credit scoring and default management. Based on the investigation, an implementation checklist was designed to map the investigated implementation considerations with the system development life cycle, structured using the COBIT 2019 enablers. This model will provide guidance to data scientists and other users to assess their data and infrastructure requirements necessary and most appropriate for implementation.
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    Evaluating the existing residential solid waste management system and its environmental impact in low income areas : the case of the Olievenhoutbosch Township, City of Tshwane
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Mohale, Matodzi; De Wit, Martin P.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Solid Waste (RSW) management is an environmental problem in low income areas such as the Olievenhoutbosch township. Growing population, improved economic growth and urbanization have caused over-consumption of materials which eventually is the source of large amounts of waste landing in the environment. Existing systems are under pressure as they are inadequate to deal with the increasing quantities. This then leads to inadequate collection rates and ineffective disposal approaches (such as illegal dumping, open burning and open dumping) which eventually contributes to environmental problems such as water and soil pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and plastics build-ups on land, in rivers and in oceans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing RSW management system in the Olievenhoutbosch Township which is located in the City of Tshwane’s Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM). The specific focus was mainly on the collection and disposal methods impacting on the environment, and with the extended goal of improving the sustainability of the management system. The study utilized both primary and secondary data to explore the current RSW situation. This included desktop study, visual observations and interviews with CTMM waste officers. The collected data was then stored in Microsoft Excel 2010. Analysis of these data revealed that municipalities are indeed under pressure due to increasing RSW volumes caused by the increasing number of people moving into the townships, growing backyard dwellers in existing yards and increasing informal settlement dwellers. The municipality indicated that collection services provided for formal dwellers are sufficient and informal dwellers are currently not served. Transportation concerns involved difficulty in accessing some areas in the township and long distances from collection points (household yards) to CTMM landfill sites. RSW minimization is absent, collection of recyclables is only through informal waste pickers, meaning that all RSW collected ends up in landfill sites. Additionally, the study found that the municipality is focusing mainly on ensuring that RSW is collected from households. RSW minimization initiatives are overlooked due to a lack of budgets, capacity and infrastructure. Based on the findings, recommendations have been made.
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    Debt conversion involving preference shares : investigating the application of section 7C of the South African Income Tax Act
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Hardnick, Ryelan; Nel, Rudie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Accountancy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Debt conversion is an arrangement in terms of which debt is converted into equity. Debt conversion is not limited to ordinary shares and could also involve preference shares. Section 7C of the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962, as amended (hereafter referred to as ‘the Act’) requires the provision of a loan, an advance or credit before the section can be applied. Preference shares applied in debt conversion transactions could be used as a possible means of avoiding section 7C of the Act, as the conversion to equity would result in there no longer being a loan, an advance or credit. The objective of this research assignment was to investigate whether different types of preference shares issued in debt conversion transactions could be argued as similar to a loan, an advance or credit, and thus merit an argument in favour of the application of section 7C of the Act. The substance over form doctrine served as a basis for the study which investigated whether different preference shares (equity in nature) could be argued as constituting a loan, an advance or credit (debt in nature). The characteristics of the different types of preference shares were therefore compared to the characteristics of a loan, an advance and credit in order to argue which types of preference shares could be deemed similar to a loan, an advance and credit. As the words ‘loan’, ‘advance’ and ‘credit’ are undefined in the Act, the meaning of these words was investigated and applied in formulating the characteristics of a loan, an advance and credit. The characteristics of different types of preference shares (redeemable, cumulative and convertible) were then investigated and a comparison was drawn between the characteristics of the different types of preference shares and the characteristics of a loan, an advance and credit. Based on the comparison, it was found that redeemable and cumulative preference shares had the most characteristics in common with a loan, an advance and credit. Convertible preference shares were found to have the least characteristics in common with a loan, an advance and credit. Furthermore, only redeemable preference shares were also classified as hybrid equity instruments as contemplated in the Act. The overall conclusion of this study is a recommendation to include redeemable preference shares within the scope of section 7C of the Act. This recommendation would require consultation with various stakeholders before changes can be made to section 7C. Further consideration could also be given to insert definitions of a ‘loan’, an ‘advance’ and ‘credit’ in section 7C of the Act in order to aid interpretation and provide clarity on when section 7C will apply.